Instructor Roy Cox (left) is an accomplished guitarist who teaches students how to read music and play guitar.
School of the Arts Offers the Gift of Music for All Ages, LIVINGSTON, May 30, 2008 - Livingston's School of the Arts (SOTA) is a non-profit organization that offers all sorts of classes in music. Founder Joel Salazar has a degree in music from Houston Baptist University and is one of the most respected musical minds in this area. Salazar is also the minister of music at Central Baptist Church in Livingston. SOTA is not just for kids, it's for people of any age who have a desire to learn music and are perhaps seeking self improvement. In addition to learning music, SOTA students give recitals at the end of each semester. People learn more than music at SOTA, they learn to be more confident in general as they perform for audiences during recitals. Salazar believes that this builds character in the students who attend SOTA. Classes run from September through May each year and take place on Mondays from 3 pm - 10 pm. Each lesson lasts 30 minutes. 30 minutes is more than enough time each week for an instructor to give a student plenty to study and practice for the following week. SOTA was established in 2002 and is now in it's 8th year. PolkCountyToday.com was provided the following information from SOTA:
The Music Ministry of Central Baptist Church in Livingston, Texas, has been reaching out to the church and community through a program called The School of The Arts since September 2002. Private 30-minute lessons are given on Monday evenings from 3:00 - 10:00 p.m., from September, through May. The purpose and mission of this program is to offer instruction and personal development in music. It is our belief that the arts are a gift from God and that the opportunity to develop these gifts allows us to grow both mentally and spiritually. The School of The Arts is founded on Christian principles, and its programs are available to everyone in the church and community. The school offers a nine month program with classes for children, youth and adults.
Signing up for classes requires the completion of a Registration Form plus the first and last month’s tuition and a $50.00 Registration Fee. Lessons are offered to children, youth and adults. Tuition listed is a flat monthly fee.
$70.00 Piano - 30 minute private lesson (Minimum age is 1st Grade) (Total to get started taking piano lessons: $190.00)
$85.00 Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello) – 30-minute private lesson plus 60 minute class required for students through 6th grade (included in tuition). The 60-minute class only takes place if there are enough students to participate. Minimum age: 7 years old (Total to get started taking Strings lessons: $220.00)
$70.00 Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass, 5-String Banjo, Harmonica, Mandolin (Minimum age: 7 years old) (Total to get started taking guitar, bass, electric guitar, banjo, harmonica or mandolin: $190.00)
For lesson availability call 936-328-8682. Leave a voice mail message and your call will be returned as soon as possible. You can also visit the School of the Arts Web Page. On the SOTA web page you can print a student registration form, read SOTA policies, view contact information, view the SOTA calendar for 2008/2009.
