NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music is accepting scholarship applications for its fall and spring classes for the 2019-20 academic year.

The music program features the study of a variety of musical instruments and choral techniques. Upper-level musicians as well as SFA faculty and students teach classes and private lessons.

Partial scholarships are awarded to music students based on need, according to Pat Barnett, Music Prep director. Application forms and information about the various programs offered are available on the Music Prep website at www.music.sfasu.edu/prep. Deadline to apply for scholarships is Aug. 1.

A Music Prep open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at 3028 Raguet St.

“New and returning students and their parents are invited to attend the open house at the Prep House to speak with faculty and to register for private and group lessons,” Barnett said. “Piney Woods Youth Orchestra auditions are on the same day of the open house, and auditions begin at 10 a.m.”

The Piney Woods Youth Orchestra will feature two separate ensembles this year – The Philharmonic Orchestra and The Chamber Orchestra, according to Alba Madrid, orchestra director. For more information about the audition process, contact Madrid at  madrida@sfasu.edu.

Students may enroll for 16 private lessons or 12 private lessons for the semester. In addition to the Piney Woods Youth Orchestra, Music Prep offers an Intermediate Adult Piano Class, Music Theory Adventures for beginning and intermediate students, and the Raguet Strings adult ensemble.

Music Prep offers private music lessons in piano, harp, violin, Suzuki violin, flute, cello, trumpet, trombone, voice, percussion and more.

Private lessons begin the week of Aug. 19 for 16-week upper level faculty instruction and the week of Sept. 9 for 12-week SFA music major instruction.

The Music Prep office is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For additional information, call (936) 468-1291 or email musicprep@sfasu.edu. Visit the Facebook site at SFA Music Prep.