Community Orchestra Academy

Our purpose

The COA provides professional, comprehensive music education for K-12 students while enriching the arts in the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo metropolitan area. Students achieve their potential as thoughtful and informed musicians who effectively share their passion for music with others.

The COA inspires students to:

Discover their abilities and talents as musicians

Hone their leadership and team building skills

Advance their sense of commitment to themselves, to others, and to the arts

Develop skills that meet challenges

Foster a sense of achievement

Share and express their gift of music

Cultivate their life-long love of music

Understand and appreciate the power and influences that the arts hold in society

The COA offers audiences:

A creative means to bond with children through orchestral music

A venue for furthering a sense of community

A place for children to share their musical accomplishments

Opportunities to experience ways in which the fine arts relate to each other

The COA offers students:

Chamber music playing

Sectional learning

Individual coaching

Masterclasses

Performance opportunities

Who can join the COA?

Elementary orchestra students who play a stringed instrument, or would like to start, are all welcome to become a member. This includes K-6th grade students who are interested in improving their skills on violin, viola, cello, or bass, and K-12 piano.

When will the COA meet?

Sessions will begin in September 2020 and will meet every Monday evening 4:00-6:00 p.m. at MSUM.

What is the cost to become a member?*

A one-time $50 enrollment fee.

A $125 membership fee per student for each semester. (This includes participation in chamber music, sectional learning, masterclasses, and performance opportunities.)

Individual coaching sessions are an additional $20 per half hour.

*Membership payment plans are available upon request.

What is chamber music?

Chamber music involves a small ensemble of instrumental musicians. Performing chamber music is a great way for students to play music with others and to learn how their part fits with those around them. The COA chamber ensembles include violin, viola, cello, bass, and piano.

What is sectional learning?

In sectional classes, students practice with other students who play the same instrument. These classes focus on tackling difficult sections in the music that is being practiced in chamber music rehearsals. Violin/viola students will work with an instructor, and cello/bass students will work with a different instructor. Pianists will be coached by a piano instructor.

What is individual coaching?

Individual coaching sessions offer excellent opportunities for students to work with an instructor one-on-one. This allows students to excel at their own pace and develop confidence in individual playing.

What are masterclasses?

Masterclasses give students an opportunity to perform in front of their peers on a monthly basis. Students get the experience of performing music they have been rehearsing, and their peers practice their active listening skills.

Performance opportunities

The COA schedules a number of concerts throughout the year. We also host several opportunities for students to perform solos, duets, trios, and quartets.

Who are the board of directors?

How can I support the COA?

You can donate to our PayPal here. (All donations are tax deductible.)