ENMU offers non-credit classes this semester

STAFF WRITER

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Along with learning options for college students, Eastern New Mexico University also has a variety of educational options for other community members.

A variety of non-credit classes are offered at the university during this fall semester.

Among the courses are some programs for children, including a new string program (violin), which will be taught by Luis Fernandez, who teaches third and fourth graders general music education at Valencia Elementary School.

The class is open to students who are ages six to 17 years old and will teach the basic beginning techniques of violin, such as setting up the instrument and learning to read music.

“The pace of learning will depend on the individual,” Fernandez said.

The program was scheduled to begin in August, but according to Fernandez it hasn’t started yet, because they are waiting for more interest and allowing for more time to register.

“I’m hoping the class will grow so that we can group the students by age for instruction,” he said. “Having more students is good, because they can help one another and create connections between each other; the older kids can become mentors to the younger ones and reinforce their knowledge.”

Brian Uerling will teach the children’s choir and said the participants in this program also play a mentor role.

“The choir is composed of third through ninth graders, which is a great mix of ages, because the older kids help lead the younger ones,” Uerling said.

“It’s a very sweet process to watch, because they’re learning how to be teachers as well as being students at the same time.”

Uerling, who teaches general music education at Ranchvale Elementary School in Clovis, said the program allows children to come away with music reading skills and understand more than they would learn in a school music setting.

“In a general music program, you’re singing a lot, but you’re not really singing as a choir,” he said. “It’s not the same as choral music; it’s not nearly as complex and it is designed for larger groups of children.”

Uerling said the choir program had about 25 children last year, and he is hoping to see more this year.

“This is a smaller group, so they really have to be able to pull their own weight musically,” he said. “They understand how to be a responsible member in a group of people, and because it is smaller, their part is really important.”

For Fernandez, the goals of his program include bringing more string performances to Portales and teaching the children discipline through learning a new instrument.

“Music is something along with other arts and activities like sports that is so important for children, because it teaches them how to develop a sense of living in society as team players,” Fernandez said. “Music can teach you teamwork and the patience to know that things don’t happen right away. You have to work for them.”

Fast facts

The following are the 2015 fall non-credit courses offered at Eastern New Mexico University:

• Children’s Choir: 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays Sept.8 through Dec.1. $95 plus $20 for materials fee at first class.

• Portales String Program (Violin): 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Mondays. Date TBD. $100. Violin not provided.

• English as a Second Language: 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Fridays Aug. 24 through Dec. 4.

• Open Water Scuba course: Sept. 25 through 27 in Portales. Additional training Oct. 10 through 11 in Santa Rosa. $200 plus $150 open water fee. $60 book fee per family.

• Morning Aqua Aerobics: 7 a.m.-8 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Aug. 24 through Dec. 4. $50.

• Morning Aqua Zumba: 7 a.m.-8 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Aug. 25 through Dec. 3. $40

• Swim Lessons: 4 p.m.-4:50 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Rotation one: Aug. 24 through Sept. 3. Rotation two: Sept. 14 through Sept. 24. $50 per rotation.

• Zumba: 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Aug. 26 through Dec. 4. $50