College Partnership Page
This page is intended to provide program information for local area colleges to share through their own channels. Our goal is to help foster stronger partnerships by getting more college students and faculty involved in the programming at W.O. Smith. This page should provide most of the info needed to start conversations and getting people involved.
What does W.O. Smith Music School do?
Since 1984, W.O. Smith Music School has introduced the world of music to thousands of deserving children in Nashville.
OUR MISSION: W.O. Smith Music School makes affordable, quality music instruction available to children from low-income families. We transform lives through music.
Students age 8 - 18 come to W.O. Smith after school to study music of all sorts and at all levels. They only pay 50cents per activity per time. Example: If a student is in choir and private lessons they would be charged a total of $1/week(roughly $14 - $17/semester). Students self-select the instrument they want to study and what activities or ensembles they want to be in. The only exception is that Basic Musicianship, a class where they learn to read music notation (info below), is required before they enter private lessons.
Most of our volunteers and students are only involved in private lessons. We pair a volunteer teacher with 2 students for 30mins each one time per week. Our average volunteer spends 1hr/week @ W O Smith meeting with the same 2 students week after week. Students can become as involved as they would like to be and the same goes for volunteers!
What do we offer?
Private Lessons are the primary program at W.O. Smith. Every student is required to take lessons in order to be involved in other programs here (once they pass basic musicianship class). Students meet for 30mins each week with their volunteer lesson teacher on an instrument which they chose to study.
Basic Musicianship - This 12 week class provides foundational music reading knowledge that is beneficial for any student in their private lessons. Students learn Note Names & Durations, Rhythm Counting, Musical Symbols, Treble & Bass Clef Note Names, and how to locate notes on a keyboard. Once they pass the test at the end of this class they can enter into private lessons on the instrument they choose. Lead: Multiple Volunteers
Polyphony Choir is open to any student aged 13-18. This choir is for the older student interested in four-part ensemble singing. Public performances are possible several times yearly. No previous choir or singing experience necessary. Students will learn to sing harmonies in a variety of styles in a group setting. Lead: Anna Arata
Choir Kids is open to any student aged 9-12. No previous choir or singing experience necessary. This choir is for younger students interested in ensemble singing. Public performances are possible several times yearly. Students will learn the basics of matching pitch and using their voices through a variety of songs and games in a group setting. Lead: Allyson McIntyre
Singer’s Studio - Suggested for students interested in voice as a 2nd instrument or solo singing opportunities. No prior experience necessary. This class will be geared towards singers interested in learning about vocal technique, performance techniques, and vocal health. This class will be conducted like a vocal seminar in which each student will be required to sing solo in front of the class every other week. Lead: Anna Arata
Songwriting & Composition - This interactive class will help your student explore their creative side and create their own songs and musical compositions. In this class, we will listen to music, talk about musical elements, and get creative to write our own music! This is a great outlet for students who are interested in musical exploration, poetry and lyrics, and song form. Lead: Allyson McIntyre (most semesters this class is split into 2 separate classes but this year it is combined)
Audio Production will give students insight and useful knowledge in Live and Recorded music. Students will learn to run live sound, record audio, build a session, and produce tracks while getting hands on experience with sound equipment and software. This class is project-based and will include working alone and in a group. Lead: Jeff Lusk & Jordan Morrison
Jazz Band - Ages 10-18. Placement determined at the discretion of staff. A traditional big band style ensemble, typically comprised of trumpets, saxophones, trombones, guitars, bass, and drums. Open to any student who is playing at an intermediate level on their instrument with a great interest in studying jazz repertoire, improvisation, history, and performance. Lead: Jordan Morrison
Rock Band - Ages 10-18. This band features vocalists, keyboard players, guitar players, a bassist, and a drummer along with the occasional horn player. They play a wide variety of genres but focus mainly on the rock, R&B, Soul, and Funk styles. This group is by audition only. Lead: Billy Livsey
Steel Drum Band - No experience is needed at all for this ensemble! Steel drums are percussion instruments that come from Trinidad. There are several different notes to each, but you’ll only have to play 1-3 at a time. If you’ve ever heard the song with a Caribbean style, think Harry Belafonte, you’ve probably heard one before. Lead: Jordan Morrison
Musical Beginnings - This ten-week long class provides an introduction to music for younger children, incorporating singing, movement, dictation, and games. Students will begin to learn about musical concepts like rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and form. Lead: Jordan Morrison
Prior classes that are not currently being offered include: DJ Class, Video Production, Project Production, MusicPlay, Creating Composers, Beatboxing & Beatmaking, Improv, Lab Band, Group Piano, Advanced Music Theory, and many more in-person and online classes.
NOTE: Class offerings, days, and times may change depending on the semester.
How can you get involved?
Our primary need is volunteer teachers for private lessons. Most of our volunteers come over to the school once per week for 1hr to teach two 30min lessons to their 2 students. They will meet every week and continue with them from semester to semester(if schedules allow). We provide everything that the students need for lessons including instruments to borrow, music books, reeds, rosin, straps, cables…etc. We can also provide music books for teachers and transportation from Vanderbilt and Belmont each week.
Our secondary need is for volunteer Basic Musicianship teachers. This class meets once per week for 45mins. There are normally 2 teachers and 5-6 students per class. There is a curriculum and required training to teach this class. At the end of the 12(ish) weeks the students take the test and if they pass then they are placed into private lessons on the instrument they choose.
Special Interests/Other needs include front desk assistants (musical skill not required) and occasionally we need some ensemble and group class assistants or Co-Teachers (if the volunteer has the required skillsets for that topic).
NOTE: Volunteer time at W.O.Smith may qualify for service hours or class credit depending on the program and the relationship between institutions.
Have other questions?
Contact Jordan Morrison (Music Education Director) at jordan@wosmith.org
