KCC invites community to experience music with free classes Sept. 12-15

Greyson Steele, Battle Creek Enquirer
·3 min read

BATTLE CREEK — Kellogg Community College is inviting the community to experience all things music, offering free access to a dozen music classes in September as part of its annual Music Week.

Music Week will run Sept. 12-15, primarily at the Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center on KCC's main campus at 450 North Ave. in Battle Creek. The weeklong series of classes also includes online options and opportunities at KCC’s regional center campus in Coldwater.

All classes are free and open to the public. Advance registration is required online at forms.office.com/r/4WN5P996LP.

Dr. Gerald Case-Blanchard, professor of vocal music and music area coordinator at KCC, said Music Week provides the community a unique opportunity to participate in the music process while sampling college music classes in a low-pressure environment.

“We welcome individuals of all backgrounds to come to KCC during Music Week and experience music not only as an audience member, but as a student and participant in the music-making process,” Case-Blanchard said in a statement. “Whether you have years of experience enjoying or performing music or are completely new to the arts, we’ll have something for everyone to enjoy at KCC during Music Week.”

Free classes offered during Music Week include general classes on music appreciation and music fundamentals, individualized voice and instrumental lessons and choir and band opportunities, among others.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend the following music classes Sept. 12-15:

  • MUSI 100: Fundamentals of Music (online)

  • MUSI 104: Branch County Community Chorus (in Coldwater)

  • MUSI 105: Kellogg Singers (in Battle Creek)

  • MUSI 107: Voice Class (online)

  • MUSI 112: Individualized Voice Lesson (in Battle Creek)

  • MUSI 122: Individualized Piano/Keyboard Lesson (in Battle Creek)

  • MUSI 130: Beginning Music Theory 1 (in Battle Creek)

  • MUSI 132: Aural Comprehension and Music Reading 1 (in Battle Creek)

  • MUSI 135: Individualized Instrumental Lesson (in Battle Creek)

  • MUSI 160: KCC Concert Band (in Battle Creek)

  • MUSI 161: KCC Jazz Band (in Battle Creek)

  • MUSI 211: Music Appreciation and How to Take a Music Couse Online Q&A Session (in Battle Creek)

The free courses will proceed as regularly scheduled with registered KCC students attending for credit, providing individuals who sit in on the classes a chance to see what a college music course at KCC is like.

“This is a great opportunity for those who have thought about pursuing an interest in music at the college level but aren’t sure if it’s right for them,” Case-Blanchard said. “These classes cover a broad range of our musical offerings here at KCC and provide a clear window into music studies at the College.”

Music Week at KCC will kick off with a free community forum event held in conjunction with the Battle Creek Symphony, titled “Hold On, America, Hold On!” The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Davidson Center and feature remarks from Case-Blanchard, KCC Interim President Paul R. Watson II and Anne Harrigan, artistic director and creative director of the Battle Creek Symphony.

The forum will overlap with a concurrent Music Week open house with music faculty, running until 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be available following the forum.

For more information about Music Week at KCC or other music programming at the college, contact Case-Blanchard at case-blanchardg@kellogg.edu or 269-565-7859.

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: G_SteeleBC

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Kellogg Community College invites community to free Music Week classes