NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - New students interested in enrolling in private or group music lessons through the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music for the fall semester can do so from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Music Prep House, 3028 Raguet St. in Nacogdoches.

"We invite students and parents to come to the Prep House on Aug. 3 to meet the faculty and learn more about our offerings," said Pat Barnett, division director.

Students in third through fifth grades are eligible to try out for the Children's Chorus, while students in sixth through 12th grades may audition for the Piney Woods Chorale.

"The Children's Chorus supplements the choral education and performance opportunities available to young people in East Texas," Barnett said. "The curriculum focuses on intonation, breathing, proper vocal production and diction skill."

Students in the Piney Woods Chorale will learn intermediate level theory, sight-singing and ear training and will sing advanced choral music in multiple parts and in foreign languages.

Auditions for the Children's Chorus and the Piney Woods Chorale will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, in the Music Prep House.

Both choirs will meet on Mondays in Room 125 in the Wright Music Building, with the Children's Chorus meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the Piney Woods Chorale meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Auditions for the Piney Woods Orchestra, directed by Drs. Evgeni Raychev and Jennifer Dalmas, will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, in the Music Prep House. The youth orchestra rehearses from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Mondays in Room 170 of the Wright Music Building. An end-of-the-semester concert will be held in December.

In addition to the ensemble offerings, the Music Prep Division offers private lessons for voice, piano, Suzuki violin/viola/cello, traditional violin/viola/cello and bass, classical guitar, harp, flute, oboe, trumpet, horn, saxophone, percussion and other instruments as requested, Barnett said.

More information about the Music Preparatory Division is available at www.music.sfasu.edu/prep or by calling Barnett at (936) 468-1291. Registration forms for the spring semester will be mailed to returning students before the end of the fall semester and will also be available on the website.