NISOM News-Archive

NISOM News: Archive

July 6, 2009 : NISOM Receives New Piano Lab and Other Grant Awards

NISOM's new piano lab is now up and running for summer piano group classes. The electronic pianos previously in the lab were badly in need of replacing, as many did not work at all. Thanks to a grant from the Dubuque Racing Association, NISOM can continue to offer group piano lessons. The lab now features four full-size student electronic pianos with a variety of programs and features. Stop by for a demonstration! The DRA also funded an update to our Quickbooks financial software and a carrying case for our portable clavinova.

The City of Dubuque Arts and Culture Commission awarded NISOM two grants this year. Operational support will provide much needed general funding, while a project award will allow us to start a New Horizons band here in Dubuque led by John Woodin. Look for more information about this program coming soon.

The Youth Area Philanthropists (YAPPERS) division of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is also supporting a new NISOM program: an Iowa All-State Vocal Workshop in August. Their funding allows us to keep the participation fee to students as low as possible. Visit our upcoming events page for more information on this program.

Finally, Rotary Club of Dubuque has agreed to join Leisure Services of Dubuque as an on-going scholarship sponsor. NISOM offers need-based scholarship assistance to help bring music to students of all economic backgrounds. Scholarships are awarded each fall, but applications submitted throughout the year are considered as funds allow. This program is invaluable to those whose lives could not otherwise be enriched by music education.

THANK YOU to all these organizations!! These programs would be possible without your support!

April 27: Juilliard in June, Sold Out

NISOM is proud to announce that Juilliard in June sold out more than a month prior to the event. Thank you to all the supporters of this fundraiser, especially our sponsor US Bank. Enjoy the show!

If you were not able to purchase tickets, contact our office to ask about a waiting list.

February 16: NISOM Brings Juilliard to Dubuque

On Monday, June 8 NISOM presents another unique concert opportunity for Dubuque audiences when Michael Gilbertson brings Juilliard home to Dubuque. Six of Juilliard's finest students will regale audience members with a chamber music concert in Jansen Hall of Clarke College. Don't miss the next generation of Music. Save the date for Juilliard in June!

January 28, 2009: Sam's Club Awards Funding, Rotary Club Provides Scholarships

Many thanks to all those who have responded to our annual fund drive to help us meet our new year's resolutions. In addition to private donors, Sam's Club has awarded NISOM $2,000 in much needed operational funding.

The Rotary Club of Dubuque has also provided NISOM $1,500 in scholarship funding, enough for qualifying students to continue to receive scholarships this spring. NISOM thanks Leisure Services of Dubuque and other private donors who contributed funding for the first two trimesters this school year. In keeping with our mission to provide music education regardless of background, NISOM awards a limited amount of need-based scholarship funding each year.

If you are able to contribute, please see the Annual Fund Drive information below. Additional operational funding is greatly needed, and we are still looking for special donors to join Club 602.

We are very grateful for this support!

December 17, 2008: Annual Fund Drive

NISOM is beginning a fund drive with our three New Year's Resolutions and three ways to help our school.

RESOLUTION #1: ANNUAL FUND DRIVE

Last June, when we finalized our budget for this 2008-2009 year, the goal for our annual fund drive was set at only $15,000.
Then this economy took a turn for the worse, and our enrollment dipped 25%. In these times when people have to make choices, music lessons seem like a luxury. But many of our operational costs do not fluctuate with enrollment dips, and we still need to pay our bills.

Now, we need to meet our most optimistic fund drive goal ever - $30,000.

So many businesses are closing; so many organizations nation-wide are in trouble. We are resolved to keep the doors of NISOM open and be here for the Tri-State community through the tough times as well as the good times. We desperately want to continue to be your destination for music education, but only if we can be fiscally responsible doing so.

We need your help. Please give to our annual fund drive today. Help us keep the music playing.

RESOLUTION #2: ANNOUNCING THE NEW CLUB 602

In addition to our general operating costs, we’ve had a bank loan hanging over our heads since we started in 2001.

We are resolved to pay off this loan by July 1, 2010. To do so, we are looking for 50 special donors who will pledge to donate $602 to NISOM over the course of the next 18 months.

Why such an odd amount? That is the amount of our current monthly payment towards this bank loan. That’s $602 each month that comes out of our general operating budget.

How did we acquire such a debt? We started with nothing—only a dream and a handful of dedicated people willing to work hard to establish a community music school. But as with any new venture, there were start up costs of equipment, office supplies and furniture. Also, every year we’ve managed to come up about $5000 short on our fundraising efforts. It all adds up. Now we must erase that deficit. With your help, we can.

RESOLUTION #3: AFFORDABLE LESSONS FOR EVERYONE

One of our goals at NISOM has always been to provide lessons to people of all ages, ability levels, and economic status. We are resolved to keep the giving lessons to those who can not afford the full tuition cost.

Tuition only covers 70% of the entire cost, but some students cannot afford even the 70%. So far, we have never turned anyone away for inability to pay and we never want to. But the money needs to come from somewhere. Several of our teachers are donating a portion of their paychecks to cover those who cannot afford the full tuition. This year, more students than ever have applied for scholarship assistance and have been given financial aid for the first two trimesters. It would be heart-breaking if these students could not take lessons the entire year.

The Northeast Iowa School of Music believes that music is a necessity, not a luxury. If you share this belief, please resolve to help us. Thank you.

Please make checks out to NISOM and mail to:

2728 Asbury Rd, Suite 200

Dubuque, IA 52001

Be sure to specify your resolution.

October 20, 2008: NISOM Provides Unique Concert Opportunity in Dubuque

The Northeast Iowa School of Music has received rave reviews on it's most adventuresome concert ever. On Saturday, October 18, the Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School auditorium stage was covered with ten grand pianos as NISOM presented 10 Grand, a unique concert of piano ensembles.

Some of the area's top pianists performed, including Steinway Artist Dan Knight, regaling the audience with several jazz pieces he himself had composed. Other solos included an impressive Rachmaninoff prelude by Bang Lang Do, a fun The Sound of Music medley by Dan Kruse, and other classical selections by Susan Troy and Peg Cornils. Doctors William Stoffel and John Viner, known to NISOM audiences from "Is There a Doctor in the House" concerts, again joined forces on Mozart duet written for "Boy" and "Girl." (Stoffel graciously played the Girl.) Another familiar "Doctor" face was Yasyn Lee, who was joined by her son Matthew for two hymns. Pam Crawford & Lynnette Pithan also performed hymns, while Joanne Wright & pat Williams humorously featured twelve variations on the "Birthday Song." Kaye Lehrman was accompanied by her husband Wayne on bass guitar (the only non-piano instrument of evening) for a "Charlie Brown Christmas" medley. Duet numbers were rounded out by NICC's Roy Carroll & Heather Kress and Emmaus's Sharon Jensen & Elisa Cooper, while St. Luke's Fabulous 40 Flying Fingers performed impressive four-part numbers.

The conclusion of the grand finale brought the audience to their feet. Twenty of the evening's twenty-five performers took the stage once more in a forty-hand, ten-piano version of "Stars and Stripes Forever." Such a rare display is sure to be remembered as a delightful opportunity never before seen in Dubuque.

Proceeds of the event support the Northeast Iowa School of Music. These pianists (including a number of current and former NISOM faculty members) came together to promote the benefits of music and music education. More information can be found here. Our sincerest thanks to our wonderful performers!

NISOM would also like to Foster Family Music for providing nine of the ten grand pianos. (Roosevelt Middle School has its own.) These pianos are available for sale at the Foster store in Bettendorf. Show your concert program or flyer to save money and further benefit NISOM!

October 15, 2008: NISOM Awarded Community Foundation Grant

The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque awarded NISOM $4,500 in project grant monies for the purchase of ResultsPlus and EventsPlus software. This software will allow NISOM to keep a centralized database of mailing lists and donor information, which will serve the community by helping ensure patrons receive appropriate information, as well as by increasing office efficy and freeing up vaulable time to focus on programs that support the overall misson of enriching the lives in the tri-state area through music.

To be added to our database, please call our office at (563) 690-0151.

The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is committed to improving the quality of life in our region by acting as a catalyst for charitable giving. The CFGD helps donors touch the issues they care about most, helps professional advisors serve their clients' charitable giving needs, and makes grants to community nonprofits. A community foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people in a local area. It enables people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the issues they care about - immediately or through their will or estate plan. To donate to the Northeast Iowa School of Music endowment fund, send

April '08 NISOM Welcomes Summer Musicians

This summer the Northeast Iowa School of Music offers ample opportunities for students of all ages to participate in a variety of music instruction. In addition to our regular faculty, NISOM will host a master pianist from Iowa City, The Five Seasons Chamber Players of Cedar Rapids, and Dubuque’s own Julliard student.

We are excited to announce the return of Steinway artist Dan Knight to our faculty. Dan Knight of Iowa City is one of the acknowledged master pianists of his generation and has performed in some of the finest venues and most prestigious music festivals in the world. He is internationally in demand as a guest lecturer and clinician, composer, solo pianist and leader of his own musical ensembles in some of the most prestigious clubs, concert halls, art museums, music festivals and educational institutions throughout the world. A complete biography is available at www.danknight.com.

Wednesdays this July Knight will be offering private instruction in Intensive Jazz Piano for beginners through advanced students at NISOM. He will also be conducting group classes in Jazz Piano and Improvisation for late beginners through advanced students. Local piano teachers can sign up for a two-session Masterclass on July 9 & 16 to learn how to instruct their students in jazz, including teaching methods and materials.

Also conducting a class at NISOM this summer is Julliard student Michael Gilbertson of Dubuque. In June he will teach Composition to students of all skill levels. Other NISOM summer classes include Music for Little Mozarts for preschool children; Auditioning 101, Singing the Blues, and Summer Strings Orchestras for middle school students; Cellobration Cello Choir; and general piano classes for children, adults, and senior citizens. NISOM offers private lessons in piano, voice, guitar and standard band and orchestra instruments. Summer registration begins on May 12 for new students.

String and vocal students can also get chamber music training this June at NISOM. The Northeast Iowa School of Music will hold a Chamber Music Festival June 23-27. The Five Seasons Chamber Players (a not for profit organization founded in Cedar Rapids, IA, in 2003, to promote chamber music performance and education) will provide faculty for the 2nd Annual Festival to be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church (corner of University and Loras). The Festival will culminate in a free public concert on Friday, June 27 at 7:00 PM in Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Students wishing to register for any of these classes should contact NISOM at (563) 690-0151. See Group Classes and Upcoming Events for schedules & more information.

May 4, 2008 Concert Benefits NISOM

St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 1199 Main Street downtown Dubuque, invites you to a special concert, “Where Art and Music Meet Vivaldi,” on Sunday, May 4 at 3:00 PM. A mass choir made up of members of St. Luke's Chancel Choir & Holy Trinity Lutheran Choir will perform Vivaldi's "Gloria" accompanied by an orchestra in the beautifully restored St. Luke's sanctuary. A reception honoring the performers will follow. A freewill donation will be taken to help defray costs. Proceeds will benefit NISOM the charity of choice by concert director, John Woodin.

The "Where Art and Music Meet" concerts began in the fall of 2005, the brainchild of St. Luke's musicians, Helen Johnston & Nancy Woodin, to promote classical music with the backdrop of wonderful stained glass windows, melding art and music together. This concert is part of the 175th Anniversary celebration of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 1833-2008 and is funded in part by a grant from the city's 175th Anniversary Committee.

Jan. '08 Support NISOM with H&R Block

Do you taxes with H&R Block, and tell 'em NISOM sent you. NISOM will receive $25 for each new client referral. A new client means a person who did not have his or her 2006 taxes prepared by H&R Block. Be sure to pick a up referral form at NISOM. Referral from must be presented prior to completion of intial tax office interview. See form for complete eligibity information.

Aug. '07 NISOM Welcomes Dan Knight

NISOM is excited to welcome classical and jazz pianist Dan Knight to our faculty this fall. As one of the world's finest improvising musicians, Dan Knight is one of the acknowledged master pianists of his generation. Equally adept on the concert stage in the field of "modern" classical music, and in the clubs and festival halls of the world of jazz, he has performed in some of the finest venues and most prestigious music festivals in the world. As a jazz musician and composer he has appeared across the United States and Europe in performances which include an unprecedented three consecutive performances at the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival.

Knight teaches and performs in a style he refers to often as "painting with sound," in the great tradition of the visual artist Wassily Kandinsky and the composer Igor Stravinsky. This style is perhaps best displayed in his composition, "The Whitman Suite," which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music.

As a composer, pianist and improviser, Dan Knight continues to extend the boundaries of style and composition in his performances of classical music, jazz, and free improvisation. He is in demand internationally as a guest lecturer and clinician, composer, solo pianist and leader of his own musical ensembles in some of the most prestigious clubs, concert halls, art museums, music festivals and educational institutions throughout the world. A complete biography can be found at www.danknight.com

Students interested in taking private or group instruction from Dan Knight should call our office at (563) 690-0151. His times are filling up fast!

March '07 Summer Session

Due to the extension of the Dubuque Community School District calendar to accommodate for snow days, the NISOM summer session will not begin June 4, as originally scheduled. June 4 through 9 will be a second make-up week that should give students additional opportunities to make up NISOM weather & holiday cancellations as well as other lessons missed during the school year. The summer session will run for 10 weeks from June 11 to August 18. More information about summer schedules will be sent home with students later this spring.

March '07 Technical Difficulties

We would like to apologize for any inconvenience recently on this website. We experienced some technical server difficulties that left us unable to update; however everything is back up and running smoothly again now. Check back often for all the latest information, and as always, you can also visit us on our Myspace page www.myspace.com/nisom.

Oct. '06 That Jazz

NISOM instructor Bill Encke (guitar) and Pab Adams (drums) host Jazz Night every Tuesday at Isabella’s below the historic Ryan house at 14th Street and Locust. The music starts at 8:30 PM and features appearances by local jazz groups and artists.

Oct. '06 Endowment Update

The NISOM Endowment Fund has reached $8,480.57. With another $1,520 in contributions, we will achieve our initial goal of $10,000. Please consider donating! Check out www.dbqfoundation.org to learn of the several taxes incentives for giving to NISOM through the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.

To make a contribution to the Northeast Iowa School of Music Endowment Fund, please make your check payable to the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, but be sure to write “NISOM” on the memo line. Mail it to them at: Dubuque Building, Suite 195, 700 Locust Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001. For more information about the tax credit, please contact the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque at (563) 588-2700.

Sept. '06 NISOM Now on Myspace

NISOM is now on the popular internet networking site Myspace. Students and interested partons with Myspace accounts can add NISOM to their friends to receive updates via bulliten posts with our latest news, reminders, and gig announcements. We’re still in the beginning stages, but as we gain more friends, it should prove a vaulable additional means of communication in addition to being a fun way to allow students to connect with the staff and each other. NISOM will happily post tips, recommendations, quotes, or questions musicians may want to pass on to each other. Add NISOM to your friends or view our upcoming events at www.myspace.com/nisom. Information about events and classes is also posted on our website.

Fall '06 Summer Strings Success

This summer the NISOM halls were alive with the sound of string music. Two student string orchestras met on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings to rehearse with directors Tracey Rush and Michelle Long. The groups, ranging from 20-22 members each, met for six weeks then performed together in a concert at the Dubuque Arboretum. The concert also featured the Cellobration Choir, with six students directed by NISOM teacher Karen Geyer, as well as a six-member

Viola Ensemble, directed by Tracey Rush.

Another first this summer was KLEF KAMP, which stands for “Kids Learn Elements First because Kids Are Musical People.” In partnership with the Dubuque Community Schools, this class was aimed at those who would be beginning instruments at school this fall. The class, taught by DCSD teachers Brian Enabnit and Michelle Long, covered basic musical elements such as rhythm, note-reading, and musical symbols. Approximately 20 students were enrolled, and NISOM will track the progress of those students throughout this year to evaluate the influence that KLEF KAMP had.

Summer '06 Thank You

Without grant assistance, many NISOM programs would not be possible. NISOM would like to thank the following organizations:

The Dubuque Racing Association
The City of Dubuque Arts & Culture Commission
The Woodward Foundation
Mc-Graw Hill
Leisure Services

NISOM is also grateful to all those who make private donations!! Thank you for your support!

Spring '06 Lobby: New and Greatly Improved

Anyone who has walked into NISOM’s lobby lately knows that it now has an air of inviting vibrancy. What once was a hodge-podge of cheap or donated furniture is newly redecorated complete with a bright red couch, a large purple chair, colorful seating, sleek black tables and exciting musical artwork. There’s even a fun children's table and vertical blinds that help moderate the temperature by blocking the sun's direct rays. The design centerpiece is a painting donated by Roger and Flo Jensen featuring an orchestra in reds, blues, and yellows. This transformation was made possible by a grant from the Woodward Foundation, with special thanks to Flexsteel and Floor Show Furniture and Flooring for their contributions. Our students and their families are grateful to have a comfortable place to wait before and during lessons!

Fall '05 Northeast Iowa School of Music Receives National Recognition

New York, NY — The Northeast Iowa School of Music, a nonprofit community institution in Dubuque, has been awarded certified school status by the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.

As the nation.s only service organization for the community arts education field, the National Guild has certified 150 schools across the country, recognized as leaders among their peers. The Northeast Iowa School of Music (NISOM) is the Guild's only certified school in Dubuque and the tri-state area.

To become Guild certified, a school must meet rigid criteria, such as employing qualified faculty and staff, offering a sequential curriculum that responds to community needs, operating a well-equipped facility, and serving at least 100 students at various levels of aptitude, with access to financial aid.

Stephanie Wagor, a music educator and consultant in Cedar Rapids, IA, served as the National Guild.s liaison and site visitor. Her report and enthusiastic recommendation led the Guild.s board of directors to approve NISOM.s certification at its meeting June 25th.

With an enrollment of over 300 students, NISOM provides private and group lessons, classes, ensemble training and performance opportunities for musicians of all ages. The school is home to a string orchestra, chamber ensembles and a show choir. NISOM was founded in 2001.