The Tabor College Music Preparatory School will begin piano lessons for the fall semester Aug. 20.
The lessons will run through Nov. 30 and cost $11.75 per lesson when provided by a college student or for a group lesson, or $15.75 with lessons given by a college faculty instructor.
Tiffeney Harms, a 2007 graduate of Sterling College and a 2009 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, School of Music, has been hired as the new director of the school.
She comes to Tabor most recently from McPherson College, where she was a lecturer of music and departmental accompanist.
Harms will succeed Sheila Litke, professor of piano and piano pedagogy at Tabor College. The preparatory school was formed in 2002 under Litke?s guidance.
?We started the school in 2002 because there was a need in the community with so many local music teachers retiring,? Litke said. ?It also allowed the Tabor students to get some hands-on supervised experience doing something they enjoy doing?teaching music.?
Since its formation, the school has offered a variety of music lessons including piano, voice, percussion, flute, trumpet and violin.
A unique aspect of the school is offering group piano lessons. In this setting, students receive the benefits of both individual instruction and group learning.
?One of the advantages of group lessons is the length, allowing for the addition of other elements such as composition, theory, activities and history,? Litke said. ?Students enjoy the positive peer learning and friendships formed through group lessons.?
Anyone interested in taking music lessons this fall should contact Harms via e-mail at tiffineyh@tabor.edu, or call 620-947-3121, ext. 1407, for more information.