+ String Program

St. Peter’s string program offers students a unique outlet for musical expression and creativity. Through consistent practice and commitment to learning, students develop technique, literacy, and musicianship. Most importantly, students learn to use their instrument as a means of praising and honoring their Lord and Creator.

Group lessons and ensembles take place in the Small Chapel between 3:00-5:30pm after school on Mondays. Students will be assigned to a group and time based on their level of experience and proficiency. Students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade can register for the string program (if a student in Preschool is interested in learning the violin, please contact Mr. Doran and Mrs. Folker). Our Advanced String Ensemble meets from 3:00-4:00pm and costs $175 per year. Students in this ensemble will refine their technique while learning to play with their peers as a musical group, and this ensemble can include any string instrument. Our other two group violin lessons take place later in the afternoon and cost $325 per year. Students in these groups will learn and develop basic violin techniques and music notation reading alongside their peers.

Students in the string program will have performance opportunities including the Winter Concert on December 10 and the Spring Concert on May 13.

Students who are continuing in the St. Peter string program from previous years may start attending on Monday, August 26. Students who are beginning violin lessons for the first time should attend starting on Monday, September 16, when the rental violins should be delivered.

Our Instructor:

Daniela Folker is a Chicago-area teacher and professional violinist who has been performing on her instrument for the past twenty-five years. She grew up playing her violin in church services. Mrs. Folker has played professionally with ensembles such as the Joffrey Ballet Orchestra, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, the Chicago Philharmonic, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and many more. She has collaborated with artists such as Celine Dion, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, and Enrique Iglesias. Currently, she teaches at the College of DuPage and at Judson University in addition to her work at St. Peter.

Interested?

• If you would like to register your child in our string program, please fill out this Google form. You will soon receive information about which group your child will participate in to start the school year.

• If your child will be new to our string program this year and will need to rent an instrument, Mrs. Folker will be able to measure the student for the correct instrument sizing, and Mr. Doran will help coordinate the rental process. You are encouraged to attend the Beginning Band/Choir/Strings Information Night on Tuesday, September 3, at 7:00pm in the Music Room. A representative from Music & Arts will be able to explain the rental process and answer any questions.

• If you have questions about our string program, contact Mr. Matthew Doran or Mrs. Daniela Folker. You can reach them by phone at 224.387.3842 or through email at mdoran@fulllifeinchrist.org or dfolker@fulllifeinchrist.org.

REGISTER HERE

+ Grace Notes Children’s Choir

Grace Notes Children’s Choir FAQ’s

Q: Who can be in Grace Notes Children’s Choir?

A: Any 3rd-5th grade student can be in Grace Notes Children’s Choir.

Q: When will Grace Notes rehearse?

A: The choir will rehearse on Thursdays during school in the Music Room from 12:00-12:30 PM. Grace Notes’ first rehearsal will take place on Thursday, September 5.

Q: How often will Grace Notes perform?

A: The choir looks forward to singing in the Winter Concert on December 10 and the Spring Concert on May 13. Grace Notes will also sing in select school Chapel services and Church services during the year.

Q: How do I sign my student up for Grace Notes Children’s Choir?

A: Fill out and submit this Google form by Wednesday, September 4.

Q: Is there a fee?

A: There is no fee to participate in Grace Notes!

Q: Who can I contact if I have any further questions?

A: Contact Choir Director Mr. Peter Sovitzky or Fine Arts Director Mr. Matthew Doran. They will be happy to answer any of your questions! You can reach them by phone at 224.387.3842 or through email at psovitzky@fulllifeinchrist.org or mdoran@fulllifeinchrist.org.

REGISTER HERE

+ Private Music Lessons Program

St. Peter’s private music lessons program offers students a unique outlet for musical expression and creativity. Through consistent practice and commitment to learning, students develop technique, literacy, and musicianship. Most importantly, students learn to use their instrument as a means of praising and honoring their Lord and Creator.

Our Program Structure:

• Half-hour weekly lessons after school
• Convenient on-campus location (Small Chapel)
• Available for 1st-8th grade students
• Piano lessons from 3:00-6:30 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Guitar lessons from 3:00-6:30 PM on Wednesdays

Cost:

• One-time $25 materials fee for the year
• $25 per-lesson fee (billed monthly)
• Pay easily via Skyward

Interested? If your child is interested in taking private music lessons at St. Peter, please fill out this Google Form. Mr. Matthew Doran will help you register your student and find a lesson time that works for your child and your family. Lessons will begin starting September 3-5. If you have additional questions, please contact Mr. Doran at mdoran@fulllifeinchrist.org.

Our Instructors:

Randy Craig (Guitar) A graduate of Trinity International University with a major in music theory, Randy is a Chicago-area musician and actor who began his music career playing the guitar in church as a child. Randy plays the guitar, sings, writes and arranges music, and regularly performs with local bands. In addition to teaching guitar at St. Peter, Randy can be seen performing comedic improv, caroling around town at Christmas, being a gangster guide for Untouchable Tours, and playing in the worship band at New Life Community Church in Albany Park.

Cheryl Gerson (Piano) A graduate of Western Illinois University with a major in K-8 music education, Cheryl is an active musician and teacher in the Chicago suburbs. She currently serves as the Director of Traditional Worship at Saint Paul in Mount Prospect, and has been teaching private piano and organ lessons for the past 12 years. Cheryl loves to see her students progress in pianistic ability and develop a deep love for music.

Kathy Neumann (Piano) A graduate of Concordia University Chicago, Kathy Neumann has been teaching private piano lessons to students in the Chicago area for over 30 years – including to 5 of her own grandchildren! Although she is now retired, Kathy spent much of her career at St. Matthew School in Hawthorne Woods, where she was a music director, teacher, choir director and piano teacher. She has been playing organ for almost 50 years, and currently substitutes for many churches in the area (St. Peter included). Kathy loves to see her piano students learn a new musical language and wants them to enjoy playing.

REGISTER HERE