Class Descriptions

Babies and their caretakers will meet weekly for six weeks during the summer for singing, bouncing songs, rocking songs, dances, finger plays, body awareness games, beat awareness activities, and echoes.  The summer curriculum includes a variety of songs from around the world.  Family materials include CD with download, parent book, and instruments in portable cloth pouch.

Maximum enrollment: 8 students with accompanying adults


Class Times for Summer 2024:
This class has been canceled.  If you would like to see a baby class in the Fall, contact us now to join the waiting list!

In this class, toddlers and their caretakers meet weekly for six weeks for singing, dancing, circle games, instrument play, focused listening, and many more fun musical activities with a summer/nature theme.  Family materials include CD with download, parent book, and sandblocks, all items exclusive to our summer program!
Maximum enrollment: 8 students with accompanying adults

Class Times for Summer 2024:
Salisbury--Thursdays 7/18-8/22 at 10:00 a.m.--2 SLOTS LEFT
Salisbury--Thursdays 7/18-8/22 at 11:00 a.m.--4 SLOTS LEFT
Berlin--Fridays 7/19-8/23 at 10:00 a.m.--1 SLOT LEFT
Berlin--Fridays 7/19-8/23 at 11:00 a.m.--2 SLOTS LEFT
 

Through songs, poems, listening and echo games, circle games, instrument play, and many more fun musical activities, preschoolers explore the sights and sounds of nature for six weeks during the summer months.  Adults accompany them to class, but children are encouraged to build independence in many activities as well.  Activities are specifically designed to build musical skills to make future instrumental and/or choir study easier.  Family materials include CD with download, parent book, animal cards, and cloth bag.

Maximum enrollment of 8 students with accompanying adults.

Class Times for Summer 2024:
Salisbury: Thursdays 7/18-8/22 at 9:00 a.m.--CLASS IS FULL
Berlin:  Fridays 7/19-8/23 at 9:00 a.m.--2 SLOTS LEFT

Through instrument play, circle games, and other activities, we explore the wonderful world of the beach and sea.  Beginning exploratory piano activities are also included.  Serves as an introduction to Pre-Piano 2: Music Makers (age 4-5) or Kinderpiano: Around the World (ages 5-6), which are offered during the school year.  Enrolling in the summer class is the best and only sure way to reserve your slot for the school year!

Benefits: Spurs appreciation for nature by highlighting its wonders and delights. Showcases the unique music of nature and lively forms in animal and plant life. Increases tonal and rhythm awareness. Builds musical aptitude, coordination, language, and social skills.
Tuition covers 6 weeks at $15 per class, plus take-home materials. Take-home packet includes CD and download, song book, poster/folder, and game pieces.

Maximum Class Size:  6 students
Class Times for Summer 2024:
New group:
Salisbury: Thursdays 7/18-8/22 at 5:00 p.m.--3 SLOTS LEFT
OR: Join one of these existing groups for the summer (Germany theme)
Salisbury: Mondays 7/1-8/19 at 1:30 p.m. (no class 7/8)--4 SLOTS LEFT
Berlin: Tuesdays 7/9-8/20 at 6:45 p.m.--2 SLOTS LEFT
 

This class provides a fun, interactive, and musically enriching introduction to the study of piano. Note reading, basic melodic and rhythmic patterns, and ear training are addressed through ensemble playing, drumming and singing activities, and musical games.  Students may continue by enrolling in Music Makers: At the Piano in the fall, if so desired.  Enrolling in the summer class is the best and only sure way to reserve your slot for the school year!

MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT OF 4 STUDENTS.

Materials include student book and music download/CD.

This 60-minute class is for kids ages 5-6 who wish to begin their piano studies with a minimum of frustration for students and parents alike!  Pacing of skills moves more slowly than the other piano classes, giving children a chance to allow their hand-eye coordination to catch up to their musical ear.  Plenty of movement and theme-related stories are included for young children who are not inclined to sit on a piano bench for a whole lesson! 
Yearly tuition of $1,050 ($1,500 in Berlin) includes 36 lessons (32 lessons if making eight payments). Up to 5 make-up lessons are available upon request ONLY if you have given 24 hours' advance notice of your absence. Tuition fee includes all materials (books, folders, games, and music tracks distributed at appropriate times throughout the year) and participation in the Spring Recital.  

Payment options:
One Payment (check or cash only)--pay the whole year in advance by 9/1 and receive 5% of total tuition as a materials credit
Four Payments--make four payments of $263 (or $375 in Berlin) due 8/15, 11/15, 2/15, & 5/15
Eight Payments--make eight payments of $119 (or $169 in Berlin) due the first class of each month September-April

Maximum class size: 4 students

*Additional siblings receive a 20% tuition discount (older and younger siblings attend family closing time for free).  
*Lessons in Berlin are an additional $12.50 per week. 2023-2024 Class Times:
Berlin: Tuesdays 6:45 p.m.--one prorated slot available
Salisbury Homeschool: Mondays 1:00 p.m.--prorated slots available
Salisbury Afterschool: Time TBA; contact us to join the waiting list

This class teaches children to play piano in two key ways: through reading music AND by ear.  Using songs and activities from a variety of cultures, meters, and tonalities, young pianists learn to become well-rounded musicians.  In addition to piano playing, activities such as drumming, singing, composing, ensemble playing, expressive movement, group games, and improvisation enrich the musical experience and increase each child's aptitude.  The group nature of the class allows the child to gain an awareness of the social nature of music-making, which helps them succeed as future band, ensemble, and/or chorus members.

Students attend the first 50 minutes independently, with parents and siblings joining during the last 10 minutes each week.  Yearly tuition of $1,410 ($1,860 in Berlin) includes 36 lessons (32 lessons if making 8 payments), which are held weekly during the school year with eligible make-up lessons completed in the summer on a flexible schedule. Up to 5 make-up lessons are available upon request ONLY with 24 hours' advance notice of your absence.  Tuition fee includes all materials (books, games, and music tracks distributed at appropriate times throughout the year) plus participation in the Costume, Holiday, & Spring Recitals.

Maximum class size: 4 students

Payment options:

One Payment (check or cash only)--pay the whole year in advance by 9/1 and receive 5% of total tuition as a materials credit
Four Payments--make four payments of $353 (or $465 in Berlin) due 8/1, 11/1, 2/1, & 5/1 
Eight Payments--make eight payments of $159 (or $209 in Berlin) due the first class of each month September-April

*Additional siblings receive a 20% tuition discount (older and younger siblings attend family closing time for free).  
*Lessons in Berlin are an additional $12.50 per lesson.

This class continues in the format of the first year (see Year 1 page for details).  Students add more ensemble work, learn to recognize new and more complicated rhythmic and tonal patterns (both by ear and in notation), learn to transpose to even more key signatures, play more pieces with two hands, step up their composing and improvising skills, and greatly expand their sight-reading ability.  Pieces in the students' repertoire include traditional folk songs from various cultures, well-loved classical tunes, and optional holiday recital songs. 
 

Students attend the first 50 minutes independently, with parents and siblings joining during the last 10 minutes each week. 

Yearly tuition of $1,410 ($1,860 in Berlin) includes 36 lessons (32 lessons if making 8 payments), which are held weekly during the school year with eligible make-up lessons completed in the summer on a flexible schedule. Up to 5 make-up lessons are available upon request ONLY with 24 hours' advance notice of your absence.  Tuition fee includes all materials (books, games, and music tracks distributed at appropriate times throughout the year) plus participation in the Costume, Holiday, & Spring Recitals.

Maximum class size: 4 students

Payment options:

One Payment (check or cash only)--pay the whole year in advance by 9/1 and receive 5% of total tuition as a materials credit
Four Payments--make four payments of $353 (or $465 in Berlin) due 8/1, 11/1, 2/1, & 5/1 
Eight Payments--make eight payments of $159 (or $209 in Berlin) due the first class of each month September-April

*Additional siblings receive a 20% tuition discount (older and younger siblings attend family closing time for free).  
*Lessons in Berlin are an additional $12.50 per lesson.

Year 3 builds on the concepts and skills developed in the first two years with the following additions:
--more complicated bass accompaniment patterns
--more duet and ensemble pieces
--sight-reading games
--12-bar blues improvisation
--more advanced scales, key signatures, and time signatures
--Hanon technique studies
--Many new composers, styles, and forms, including a historical timeline

Upon completion of Year 3, students are enthusiastically invited to transition into private piano lessons at the Late Elementary/Early Intermediate level!

Students attend the first 55 minutes independently, with parents and siblings joining during the last 5 minutes each week. 

Yearly tuition of $1,410 ($1,860 in Berlin) includes 36 lessons (32 lessons if making 8 payments), which are held weekly during the school year with eligible make-up lessons completed in the summer on a flexible schedule. Up to 5 make-up lessons are available upon request ONLY with 24 hours' advance notice of your absence.  Tuition fee includes all materials (books, games, and music tracks distributed at appropriate times throughout the year) plus participation in the Costume, Holiday, & Spring Recitals.

Maximum class size: 4 students

Payment options:

One Payment (check or cash only)--pay the whole year in advance by 9/1 and receive 5% of total tuition as a materials credit
Four Payments--make four payments of $353 (or $465 in Berlin) due 8/1, 11/1, 2/1, & 5/1 
Eight Payments--make eight payments of $159 (or $209 in Berlin) due the first class of each month September-April

*Additional siblings receive a 20% tuition discount (older and younger siblings attend family closing time for free).  
*Lessons in Berlin are an additional $12.50 per lesson.

We currently offer three options for private instruction: Virtual lessons, in-person lessons, or Hybrid lessons (mostly virtual with in-person once a month). 

Private piano lessons are offered on a space-available basis.  In addition to high quality instruction primarily based on the Faber Piano Adventures series, we hold several optional public recitals each year.  Mrs. Upton is also an Honor Roll member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers and offers students the opportunity to participate in the annual Guild Auditions, as well as the KITS National Music Theory Honor Roll.  Students enrolled in Achievement tracks of study are also invited to participate in the highly acclaimed Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program, a national standardized adjudication and assessment system for music students, in which Mrs. Upton holds four levels of certification and her students regularly receive First Class Honors and State Awards: www.musicdevelopmentprogram.org.

Individual private lessons are scheduled primarily on weekday afternoons and weeknights, with a very limited number of weekday morning slots.  Please contact us for availability, as slots typically stay filled.

Note:  For children under age 10, we highly recommend the Music Makers: At the Keyboard class, but please contact us if you would like to discuss the possibility of private lessons.

Lesson Tracks*:
Beginner/Hobbyist--30 minutes per lesson, up to 5 make-up lessons scheduled each school year ONLY with 24 hours' advance notice of your absence; eligible make-up lessons not completed during the school year may be finished in the summer on a flexible schedule; students may participate in Guild Auditions up to District Level, KITS Theory program up to Level 2, Costume Recital, Holiday Recital, and Spring Recital.
Delmar and Virtual Tuition: One Payment $1,450 (40 lessons); Four Payments $328 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $146 (32 lessons)
Berlin Tuition: One Payment $1,950 (40 lessons); Four Payments $440 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $196
Elementary Achievement--45 minutes per lesson, up to 5 make-up lessons scheduled each school year ONLY with 24 hours' notice of your absence; eligible make-up lessons not completed during the school year may be finished in the summer on a flexible schedule; students may participate in Guild Auditions at any level, KITS Theory program at any level, RCMCP assessments up to Level 3, Costume Recital, Holiday Recital, Celebration of the Great Composers Recital, and Spring Recital. 
Delmar and Virtual Tuition: One Payment $1,850 (40 lessons); Four Payments $418 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $186
Berlin Tuition: One Payment $2,350 (40 lessons); Four Payments $530 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $236 (32 lessons)
Intermediate Achievement--60 minutes per lesson, up to 5 make-up lessons scheduled each school year ONLY with 24 hours' notice of your absence; eligible make-up lessons not completed during the school year may be finished in the summer on a flexible schedule; students may participate in Guild Auditions at any level, KITS Theory Program at any level, RCMCP assessments up to Level 8, Costume Recital, Holiday Recital, Celebration of the Great Composers Recital, and Spring Recital. 
Delmar and Virtual Tuition: One Payment $2,450 (40 lessons); Four Payments $553 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $246 (32 lessons)
Berlin Tuition: One Payment $2,950 (40 lessons); Four Payments $665 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $296 (32 lessons)
Vocal Add-on Option-- Extra time devoted to voice study added onto the piano lesson each week; students may participate in RCMCP assessments in Voice and are invited to perform vocal pieces at recitals if desired.  Tuition depends upon length of add-on time.
Sibling Discount--Additional siblings receive a 20% tuition discount.

*See below for discount options.  Tuition includes recitals but not books/materials or participation fees for Guild, KITS, or RCMCP.  Tuition for lessons held in Berlin is an additional $12.50 per lesson.

Payment Options:
One Payment (check or cash)--includes 40 weeks; pay the whole year in advance by the first lesson of September and receive a materials credit equal to 5% of your tuition ($50-$100+); if you pay online, the processing fee will be deducted from your credit.
Four Payments--includes 36 weeks; make four equal payments (8/15, 11/15, 2/15, & 5/15). All four payments must be made in full to hold your slot.
Eight Payments--includes 32 weeks; make 8 equal payments due by the first lesson of each month from September through April.  All eight payments must be made in full to hold your slot.
Summer Add-On Option: If you finish all your lessons early, you may choose to pay for additional lessons over the summer.

Lesson times are offered on a space-available basis. Please contact us for availability.

We currently offer three options for private instruction: Virtual lessons, in-person lessons, or Hybrid lessons (mostly virtual with in-person once a month). 

Private voice lessons are offered on a space-available basis. In addition to high quality instruction rooted in the bel canto tradition, we hold several optional public recitals each year.  Mrs. Susan also teaches the Full Voice curriculum for young children and students without a musical background. Students enrolled in Achievement tracks of study are invited to participate in the highly acclaimed Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program, a national standardized adjudication and assessment system for music students in which Mrs. Susan's vocal students have consistently won the State Award (1st place in MD) and Northeast Regional Gold Medal for their categories and Mrs. Susan holds four levels of certification: www.musicdevelopmentprogram.org. Students may also choose to participate in the KITS National Music Theory Honor Roll program.  

Individual private lessons are scheduled primarily on weekday afternoons and weeknights, with a very limited number of weekday morning slots. Please contact us for availability, as slots typically stay filled. 

Note: Please be aware that Mrs. Susan feels strongly that the majority of today's commercial vocal music overtaxes young voices.  Her voice lessons for children and teens typically include vocalizing/warm-up exercises, sight-singing practice, folk songs, age-appropriate show tunes and Disney songs, and other repertoire included in the Certificate Program syllabus.

Beginner/Hobbyist--30 minutes per lesson, up to 5 make-up lessons scheduled each school year ONLY with 24 hours' advance notice of your absence; eligible make-up lessons not completed during the school year may be finished in the summer on a flexible schedule; students may participate in Guild Auditions up to District Level, KITS Theory program up to Level 2, Costume Recital, Holiday Recital, and Spring Recital.
Delmar and Virtual Tuition: One Payment $1,450 (40 lessons); Four Payments $328 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $146 (32 lessons)
Berlin Tuition: One Payment $1,950 (40 lessons); Four Payments $440 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $196
Elementary Achievement--45 minutes per lesson, up to 5 make-up lessons scheduled each school year ONLY with 24 hours' notice of your absence; eligible make-up lessons not completed during the school year may be finished in the summer on a flexible schedule; students may participate in Guild Auditions at any level, KITS Theory program at any level, RCMCP assessments up to Level 3, Costume Recital, Holiday Recital, Celebration of the Great Composers Recital, and Spring Recital. 
Delmar and Virtual Tuition: One Payment $1,850 (40 lessons); Four Payments $418 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $186
Berlin Tuition: One Payment $2,350 (40 lessons); Four Payments $530 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $236 (32 lessons)
Intermediate Achievement--60 minutes per lesson, up to 5 make-up lessons scheduled each school year ONLY with 24 hours' notice of your absence; eligible make-up lessons not completed during the school year may be finished in the summer on a flexible schedule; students may participate in Guild Auditions at any level, KITS Theory Program at any level, RCMCP assessments up to Level 8, Costume Recital, Holiday Recital, Celebration of the Great Composers Recital, and Spring Recital. 
Delmar and Virtual Tuition: One Payment $2,450 (40 lessons); Four Payments $553 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $246 (32 lessons)
Berlin Tuition: One Payment $2,950 (40 lessons); Four Payments $665 (36 lessons); Eight Payments $296 (32 lessons)
Vocal Add-on Option-- Extra time devoted to voice study added onto the piano lesson each week; students may participate in RCMCP assessments in Voice and are invited to perform vocal pieces at recitals if desired.  Tuition depends upon length of add-on time.
Sibling Discount--Additional siblings receive a 20% tuition discount.

*See below for discount options.  Tuition includes recitals but not books/materials or participation fees for Guild, KITS, or RCMCP.  Tuition for lessons held in Berlin is an additional $12.50 per lesson.

Payment Options:
One Payment (check or cash)--includes 40 weeks; pay the whole year in advance by the first lesson of September and receive a materials credit equal to 5% of your tuition ($50-$100+); if you pay online, the processing fee will be deducted from your credit.
Four Payments--includes 36 weeks; make four equal payments (8/15, 11/15, 2/15, & 5/15). All four payments must be made in full to hold your slot.
Eight Payments--includes 32 weeks; make 8 equal payments due by the first lesson of each month from September through April.  All eight payments must be made in full to hold your slot.
Summer Add-On Option: If you finish all your lessons early, you may choose to pay for additional lessons over the summer: 2 lessons at full price or 4 lessons for the price of 3.

Lesson times are offered on a space-available basis. Please contact us for availability.

The Coastal Choral Conservatory is a non-profit choir program for children and young adults, conducted by Susan Upton from Boone's Tunes.  Each semester culminates in a public concert.  Students are split into age groups as necessary depending on enrollment.  Tuition charged is used toward facilities rental, sheet music, accompaniment tracks, student materials, concert accessories, and pianist/director stipends.  (Most of the directors work on a volunteer basis.)

Rehearsal times for Fall Concert 2024 (Music Around the World Theme):
Summer monthly rehearsal times TBA.  It's not too late to join us for this concert!  Summer is a great chance to try us out for a low cost!

Performances will be held in September 2024 at Trinity Family Life Center, Salisbury (date and time TBA), as well as some area senior and developmental facilities

Register here:
https://thecoastalchoralconservatory.com
**Please do not register for this class on Boone's Tunes website.  Use the above link to register.**  

High-quality wooden drum with natural skin.  Practice your rhythm skills and drumming activities at home!

Purchase an individual kit for home playing, as well as greater personal safety during class!  Includes: 2 jingles, 2 pair of rhythm sticks, 2 scarves, 1 pair of finger cymbals, and cloth bag.