Northeast Iowa School of Music-News

NISOM News

December 2011: Happy Holidays from NISOM!

October 31, 2011: NISOM Receives New Software and Other Grants

Thanks to a grant from Dubuque Racing Association/Mystique Casino, NISOM was recently able to upgrade our AIMsi software that we use for lesson scheduling and other information. With the upgrade and the addition of a bar code scanner, we will also be able to use it for book sales! Besides saving students time when they purchase music and supplies, a computerized inventory system will also save us administrative hours.

This fall NISOM also received a much-needed operational support grant from the City of Dubuque Arts and Culture Commission, and scholarship grants from Leisure Services of Dubuque and Rotary Club of Dubuque that allow qualifying students to receive free or reduced-cost lessons.

Grants like these make what we do at NISOM possible. Thank you for your support!

September 22, 2011: Welcome New Hires

The NISOM family is expanding. This fall we have added two new staff positions: Development Director Pam Brookens will manage fund drives and donor relations, and Operations Assistant Ashleigh Wilson will help with events. We also have three new faculty members joining us this school year: Xiaoke Cheng, piano; Hannah Leffler, flute; and Judith Simundson, voice. Joining our Board of Directors are Patrick Niemer and Hillard Salas. Welcome, all!

Oct. 14 Update: Welcome also to piano teacher Thomas Taylor Dickey and board member Diane Muir!

Summer Update: THANK YOU, 602 Club! Our start-up loan is paid in full!

We also pleased to announce that we raised $58,000 in the 2010-11 fiscal year and increased enrollment by 20 percent. Thank you everyone for your support!

March, 23, 2011: Fund Drive Update

As you know, NISOM can not operate out of tuition and program income alone. As a non-profit organization, NISOM relies on the generosity of individuals throughout our community.

We set a lofty but necessary goal this year of raising $60,000 in operational support through private donations, fundraisers, and sponsorships. Thanks to donors like you, we are almost two thirds of the way there, having raised over $37,000 to date! Our year-end fund drive alone raised over $9,000.

NISOM is extremely grateful to all those who make private donations or give through Playathon! Thank you for your support!

1/3 To Go

Our remaining fundraisers for this year like Barrage and Juilliard in June will go a long way in making up the last third of our goal, but we still need your help.

Please help us make a difference in our community by placing a donation online at nisom.com, by mail, or in person. The Northeast Iowa School of Music is a 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Club 602

The work of Club 602 is almost complete! Two years ago we instituted this special club of donors who have each contributed $602 (or more) to help us pay off our original start-up loan. $602 is the amount of our monthly bank loan payments. This loan comes due in June of this year, and thanks these loyal supporters, it’s almost paid off!

We are currently seeking the final three members. To join, simply specify “Club 602” in the memo line of your donation check.

February 11, 2011: Juilliard Returns!

By popular demand, Juilliard in June is back for another year! Save the date for Thursday, June 16 and watch Upcoming Events for more information coming soon.

October 7, 2010: Community Music School Responds to School District Budget Cuts

The Northeast Iowa School of Music has unveiled a new program in response to Dubuque Community School District budget cuts that eliminated the band and orchestra programs for students in grade four beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. NISOM’s program will allow these students to begin instruction on band and orchestra instruments in groups of two or three, similar to those held in schools.

For a reduced rate, NISOM provides the students with one of several highly-qualified instructors at the school’s Fountain Park location. Students supply their own instruments or rent through local vendors. The sessions are six weeks to allow students to begin without further commitment. Students may sign up for additional sessions after completing the first six weeks. The next session begins November 15 with lessons available in strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. NISOM also offers a limited amount of scholarship assistance to qualifying families.

“We want to meet the needs of those fourth graders who have been looking forward to starting an instrument,” said Executive Director Tracey Rush. “The NISOM program will allow students to try an instrument out and see if it’s a good fit for them.”

Fourth graders are not the only ones benefiting from new instrumental instruction at NISOM. This fall the school also added a Suzuki violin program for students ages 3-7, which joined an existing Suzuki cello program. The Suzuki method allows preschool students to learn to play an instrument utilizing a technique of listening and repeating. The next session of classes begins November 15. Private lessons are also available.

The Northeast Iowa School of Music is a non-profit organization and a certified member of National Guild for Community Arts Education. NISOM has been providing music education in the Tri-State area for the past ten years by offering private lessons in piano, voice, guitar, and band and orchestra instruments, as well as a variety of group classes for students of all ages. No experience or audition is required. NISOM also provides music therapy instruction and outreach programs, sponsors the Dubuque Community String Orchestra and New Horizons Band, and holds numerous public performances each year.

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