Art & Music Class Descriptions

In just four hours, students will dive into electronic music production- creating beats, shaping sounds, exploring rhythm and tempo, and building original tracks using professional-style digital tools.

Students will be introduced to the basics of Electronic Music Production by industry professional, DJ, producer, musician, and educator Eric Jao. Eric brings 30+ years of working in the music industry, touring the world, and performing with artists like Madonna, Shakira, Rhianna, and Linkin Park. He is the founder of the Mix Major Electronic Music School and co-author of Electronic Music Element curriculum, a web-based platform where students can continue to create beyond the workshop.

Students do not need to play an instrument or be able to read music for this course. Instead, they need to have a love of music and the desire to create their own, original compositions. Students should bring a charged laptop, Chromebook, or iPad to class.

This is a 2-week workshop meeting for 2-hours each day. This workshop serves as an introduction for students interested in exploring Compass’s Electronic Music Production class offered in the fall.

In just four hours, students will dive into electronic music production- creating beats, shaping sounds, exploring rhythm and tempo, and building original tracks using professional-style digital tools.

Students will be introduced to the basics of Electronic Music Production by industry professional, DJ, producer, musician, and educator Eric Jao. Eric brings 30+ years of working in the music industry, touring the world, and performing with artists like Madonna, Shakira, Rhianna, and Linkin Park. He is the founder of the Mix Major Electronic Music School and co-author of Electronic Music Element curriculum, a web-based platform where students can continue to create beyond the workshop.

Students do not need to play an instrument or be able to read music for this course. Instead, they need to have a love of music and the desire to create their own, original compositions. Students should bring a charged laptop, Chromebook, or iPad to class.

This is a 2-week workshop meeting for 2-hours each day. This workshop serves as an introduction for students interested in exploring Compass’s Electronic Music Production class offered in the fall.

Enjoy the camaraderie and cooperation of making music with others in a school band! Join the first homeschool band in the region at Compass. This section is for continuing beginner and advanced beginner musicians of brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments*

Percussion students will continue their skills on the snare drum and mallet instruments (such as glockenspiel and xylophone). Continuing and advanced beginner woodwinds students will play the flute or clarinet or alto saxophone. Continuing and advanced beginner brass will play the trumpet, trombone, euphonium, French horn, or tuba. All band students will practice audiation skills and will play both cooperatively in the full band group and in break-out groups for differentiated instruction by part, by instrument, or by proficiency.

Students in Band will meet together to continue to develop their skills on their selected instruments. To be considered for this section, students must have the following competencies on their chosen percussion, woodwind, or brass instrument:

--Minimum of 4 months of playing experience (or recommendation by instructor);
--A firm understanding of how to assemble and disassemble the instrument correctly;
--Demonstrate proper instrument care;
--Demonstrate correct posture, hand position, and embouchure (woodwinds);
--Be able to play Hot Cross Buns in B-flat Major;
--Be able to play at least one additional song in any key

Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument and accessories for the band. See the linked list by instrument. Furthermore, students are expected to practice their instrument and pieces throughout the week. 15-30 minutes most days is recommended.

For NEW students, there is a $33.00 supply fee due payable to Compass on/before the start of class for the "Do It! Play (a Band Instrument)" book and workbook and the sheet music songs used for the group band performance. RETURNING students will have a supply fee of $9.00 for sheet music.

Note: This is a 15-week program that does not meet on 2/2/2026.

Enjoy the camaraderie and cooperation of making music with others in a school band! Learn your instrument and get ready to join the first homeschool band in the region at Compass.

Students in beginner winds will learn to play a woodwind [flute or clarinet (5th-12th grade) or alto saxophone (7th-12th grade only)] or brass instrument [trumpet, trombone, or euphonium (5th-8th grade) and French horn or tuba (7th-12th grade students only)]. They will learn how to hold their instruments with proper posture and hand position and correct embouchure (mouth position and blowing technique) for the instrument. Students will receive instruction on the parts of their instruments and how to safely, correctly, and independently assemble and clean them. Students will learn the fundamentals of music reading, and the group will practice short songs in Concert B-flat and Concert E-flat major (and their relative minors).

Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument and accessories for the band. See the linked list by instrument.

For NEW students: there is a $24.00 supply fee due payable to Compass on/before the start of class for the "Do It! Play (a Band Instrument)" book and workbook and group sheet music. RETURNING students: There is a $9.00 fee for sheet music due payable to Compass.

Homeschool musicians who play violin, viola, cello, or bass are invited to join this homeschool string ensemble! Musicians will have an opportunity to develop ensemble skills and enjoy the experience of practicing, playing, and performing as a group.  Themusicians will work on several group songs each semester where they will improve musical literacy and learn to play in different keys as a group. During the final session of the semester, a concert will be held for friends and family.

This ensemble is intended for advanced beginner, intermediate, and advanced strings students who are concurrently enrolled in private lessons.

The instructor will provide the ensemble repertoires, and these arrangements will be specially composed to accommodate the range of abilities of all stringed players in the ensemble. Participants are expected to prepare and practice at home for at least 15 - 20 minutes per day. The cost of photocopied music is included.