NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Registration is underway for private lessons and group classes offered for the 2019 spring semester by the Music Preparatory Division of the School of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University.

In addition to the usual 16-week private lessons for young students in piano, harp, violin and Suzuki violin, viola, voice, bass, clarinet, classical guitar, saxophone, composition, flute, trumpet, jazz piano, cello and music theory, Music Prep again offers adult piano classes in the coming spring, according to Pat Barnett, director of the Music Preparatory Division.

Music Prep offers 12 weeks of musical study with SFA music major students. Lessons in violin, cello, clarinet, classical guitar, piano and jazz piano, trumpet, voice, percussion and other instruments upon request are offered. The student instructors are referred by their major professors and have a high level of mastery of their instrument, Barnett explained.

Group classes offered are Music Theory Adventures, taught by Laura Treadaway; Adult Beginner Piano Class taught by Matthew Malaga; Adult Intermediate Piano Class, taught by Dr. Ping-Ting Lan; Pineywoods Youth Orchestra, directed by Dr. Evgeni Raychev; and The Raguet Strings, directed by Brenda Josephsen. The Raguet Strings is recruiting interested members to join the adult ensemble.

Registration forms for the 2019 spring semester are available on the Music Prep website at www.music.sfasu.edu/prep and are being accepted now. The forms may be downloaded and turned in to the Music Prep office. Sixteen-week private lessons begin the week of Jan. 14, and 12-week private lessons begin the week of Feb. 4. Contact the Music Prep office at (936) 468-1291 for more information.

Shirley Watterston and Dr. Robert Blocker, a former chairman of the SFA Department of Music, founded the SFA Music Preparatory Division in 1980.