Sign up for fall or spring music lessons

Students are invited to sign up for one- or two-credit music lessons at Augustana during the fall or spring semesters.

Guitar lessons

Guitar lessons are offered in the fall and spring semesters of the school year and are open to all students regardless of major. Students at all skill levels are accepted, and lessons are one-on-one with the instructor. You will need to have your own instrument; there are a limited number of rental guitars available from the instructor or the local music shop. Instructor Randy Pobanz will assist with the music shop rental process.

Students will learn to develop proper technique habits and how to apply music reading skills to the guitar. Scales, chords and other technique exercises are studied with both strumming and finger picking used for chords. Students enrolled for one credit will have a 30-minute lesson one day per week, and students enrolled for two credits will have a 60-minute lesson one day per week. Lesson times are arranged according to the student's schedule on the days Mr. Pobanz is teaching. Lesson length and frequency for anyone enrolling for more than two credits will be arranged by the student and Mr. Pobanz.

Registration is for MULS-333-01: Guitar and is done through Arches or by using the online add form. Enrollment in lessons does not cause an overload of credits.

For more information, contact instructor Randy Pobanz, 309-721-6726.

Drum set lessons

Do you have an interest in learning to play drum set? Maybe you've played before and want to continue to develop your skills, or you've never played before and would like to see what playing drum set is like. If either scenario fits you, now is the time to consider registering for lessons for the fall semester!

Applied music lesson credits do not cause students to have a credit overload. However, there is an additional tuition charge for applied music lessons.

• Music lessons: 13 individual lessons are offered to students (regardless of their major course of study) during the fall and spring semesters every school year. Lessons are offered to students of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. The course qualifies for one credit hour, and students receive one half-hour individual lesson each week. The drum set lesson studio is in Room B1 in Bergendoff, and lessons are available on Wednesday afternoons.
• Equipment concerns? Students who register for lessons are given the opportunity to use the school-owned drum set that is used by the jazz ensembles and kept in Room B1 for drum set students' individual practice and at their lessons.
• Registering for lessons: If you have an interest in drum set lessons, and a Wednesday afternoon lesson time could fit into your schedule, please consider registering for lessons. The course title is MULS-331-01: Drum Set, and registration is done on Arches. Students are expected to provide their own drum sticks at lessons and for their practice times. If you need to purchase equipment or method books there are local music shops to assist you.

Once you’re registered, please email instructor Gary Ciccotelli, who will work with you to schedule your weekly lesson.

For more information, contact instructor Gary Ciccotelli.

Harp lessons

If you are interested in playing the harp, you are invited to join Augustana's harp studio! The harp is an approachable instrument to learn, kind of like playing the piano. Harp lessons are offered for credit each semester at Augustana.  

• No prior music experience needed. All skill levels are welcome; no prior harp experience or music background is necessary.  You will learn basic technique, and we will choose pieces to play based on your interests.
• You don't need your own instrument. Augustana has a pedal harp you can use for lessons and practicing, and you do not need your own instrument.
• Lesson scheduling. Lessons are one-on-one, and times are arranged based on our mutual availability.
• Registration. Registration is for MULS-334-01 and is done through Arches. You can enroll for one or two credits. Students enrolled for one credit will have a 30-minute lesson each week, and students enrolled for two credits will have a 60-minute lesson each week. (There are fees for music lessons, which you can find on the schedule of student charges.)

For more information, contact instructor Erin Freund, 309-794-8298.

Viola lessons

If you play the viola, used to play the viola, dream of learning viola, or are simply curious to begin a new musical adventure, the Augustana viola studio invites you to join our community. Augie violists come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, from brand new beginners to music majors. What we share is a love for music and pleasure in the challenge of learning to play.  Our viola studio is a supportive community where you can grow musically and meet new friends.

Music lessons are offered for credit each semester at Augustana and you can retake them for as many (or few) semesters as fits your schedule during your time here.

• No prior music experience needed. All skill levels are welcome; no prior harp experience or music background is necessary.  You will learn basic technique, and we will choose pieces to play based on your interests.
• You don't need your own instrument. Augustana has a few violas that can be rented at a very reasonable rate per semester.
• Lesson scheduling. Lessons are one-on-one, and times are arranged based on our mutual availability.
• Registration. Registration is for MULS-341-01: Viola and is done through Arches. You can enroll for one or two credits. Students enrolled for one credit have a 30-minute lesson each week, and students enrolled for two credits have a 60-minute lesson each week.

There are fees for music lessons, which you can find on the schedule of student charges.

It is also important to know that taking music lessons and playing in music ensembles NEVER counts toward a credit overload.

For more information, contact instructor Deborah Dakin.