Sarah Oliver, principal harpist of the Corpus Christi and Baton Rouge symphonies, is one of the many instructors offering private lessons through the SFA Music Preparatory Program. Registrations are now being accepted for spring classes.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Registrations are now being accepted for the spring classes offered through the Stephen F. Austin State University Music Preparatory Division.

Students, including adults, may register for weekly private lessons in voice, harp, piano, classical guitar, violin, Suzuki violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, percussion and other requested instruments. The 16-week classes, taught by upper-level music preparatory faculty, begin the week of Jan. 10, but late registrants are still being accepted. The 12-week classes, taught by SFA student instructors, begin the week of Feb. 7.

Dr. Ping-Ting Lan will teach a 14-week intermediate adult piano class that will meet on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m., beginning Jan. 31, in Room 302 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building.

Laura Treadaway's musicianship classes will begin Monday, Jan. 24, and Wednesday, Jan. 26, in Room 302 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building.

Kindermusik classes for two different age levels, spanning newborns to 3-year-olds, will begin the week of Jan. 24 and be taught by certified Kindermusik teacher Karen Greer.

The early childhood and movement program is based on the beliefs that every child is musical, every parent is the child's most important teacher, the home is the most important place for learning, and music nurtures a child's development, explained Pat Barnett, director of the Music Preparatory Division.

Young people interested in singing in a choir may audition for the SFA Children's Chorus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, in the Music Prep House, 3028 Raguet St. Interested third through eighth graders should come prepared to sing a simple song for choir directors Nicole Stewart and Brandon Nichols.

The chorus, which will meet on Tuesdays from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. beginning Feb. 8, will be performing a wide repertoire, including works by classical and contemporary composers, folk songs and songs with foreign language texts.

Registration forms for private lessons and/or classes can be downloaded from the division's website at www.music.sfasu.edu/prep and turned in at either the SFA School of Music office, Room 150 in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building on the SFA campus, or at the Music Prep House, 3028 N. Raguet St. On-line registration for 16-week and/or 12-week private lessons is also available on the website.

For more information, contact Pat Barnett, director of the Music Preparatory Division, via e-mail at pbarnett@sfasu.edu or call her at (936) 468-1291. The Music Prep office is open 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by appointment.