Learn Music With us

Now more than ever, kids need room to grow

Their world is rapidly changing, which can be scary. 

We nurture their spirits while preparing them for the future. Make room for your kid to be a kid. Inspiring teachers are providing safe spaces for the joy of learning music. And your child will be learning important life skills – practice makes perfect, teamwork makes the dream work, and together we can make a difference.

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Music in the Schools

MIM’s Education for Nevada County Schools 2017/2018 includes four programs: Take 5 For Music, Carnegie Linkup, Full Circle Music Program, and Peer Performing 4 Peers. Music in The Schools is supported by a generous grant from The Community Players Trust.

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Youth Orchestra (MIMYO)

The MIM Youth Orchestra (MIMYO) is an after-school symphony orchestra program for string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players ages 8-21. Our musicians work on classical repertoire in weekly rehearsals and give three public concerts, all in a friendly, nurturing environment.

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Young Composers Project

The Young Composers Project (YCP) is an established cornerstone of MIM’s education program. The innovative curriculum serves to instill passion for all music in the region’s youth.

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Young Musicians Comp

The Young Musicians Competition (YMC) was first held in 1987. It provides the opportunity for Nevada, Placer, Sutter, Butte and Yuba County music students, grades 3-12, to study, memorize and perform classical repertoire for professional judges.

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Youth Choir (MIMYC)

This brand new group works on their own music and concerts, as well as joining the adult Music in the Mountains Chorus for rehearsals and concerts.

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Side by Side

Side By Side offers high caliber student musicians the extraordinary opportunity to sit in with the orchestra at rehearsals and perform with their mentors in live performances.

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Scholarships & Awards

MIM offers valuable award and scholarship opportunities for young people. These include the Lucy Becker Memorial Vocal Scholarship, Paul Perry Award, Keranen Education Youth Scholarship, and Making a Difference Scholarship.

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Music in the Schools Activities

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First Note Music Classes

First Note Music Classes are small group instrument music classes for students who have never played an instrument before or who have played less than a year. Taught in a supportive, nurturing environment by friendly, professional music teachers, this program is offered at multiple afterschool locations. New classes begin each fall and spring school semester. The program currently offers lessons for strings, winds and brass instruments. For more information, please contact Marge at [email protected]

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Music for young minds

Music for Young Minds is a fun, interactive music program where children in grades K-3 learn all about their world while also learning about music. They sing, dance, make art, learn geography and more. The curriculum is based on materials from Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute and is taught by professional music educators at various participating school sites in Nevada County. The program is age appropriate and standards based.

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2024/25 Application
2024/25 Calendar
Register Online
Emergency Form

For More Information

Email Marge Shasberger, MIM Youth Orchestra

Shannon Devir | Director

Flutist and piccolo player Shannon Devir received her Bachelor of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She currently plays with the InConcert Sierra Orchestra, and has performed with the Victoria Symphony, Ballet Victoria, Opera Pacific, and the Classical Philharmonic. Ms. Devir has held teaching positions at the University of San Francisco, The San Francisco Waldorf School, and Nevada City School of the Arts. She has a passion for sharing the art of music and thrives on working with musicians to realize their full potential.

Kasandra Klassy | Assistant Director

Kasandra Klassy began her studies of violin and viola at age 9. After studying music at UC
Berkeley she was certified as a Suzuki teacher. After that she went to Matsumoto Japan to study directly with Dr. Suzuki at his Talent Education Institute. She has had a very successful career of teaching both in Nevada County and the bay area for 45 years!

Kasandra’s students have won many awards over the years in the Music in the Mountains
competition, and other similar competitions in the bay area. Many of her students have gone on to be professional musicians and teachers. Her program is highly motivating and includes four concerts a year, including Classical music of all kinds, and fiddle music from around the world.

Her passion is studying the baroque violin after years of playing with Berkeley Baroque Strings in the east bay area. Currently she teaches privately in Penn Valley, and taught the after school violin class sponsored by Music in the Mountains at Nevada County School of the Arts.

Marge Shasberger | Manager + Mentor

Marge has been involved with the MIMYO family for several years now, serving as the orchestra manager and also as a string mentor for the group. On staff at Music in the Mountains, her official title is Education Programs Manger. Marge has been a musician all of her life – starting on her own violin/viola when she was in the 3rd grade, and enjoys playing in many orchestras, string quartets, and ensembles at all levels. She also plays recorders with the American Recorder Society, directs the Handbell Choir at Peace Lutheran Church and plays with the Sierra College OLLI Orchestra. Marge has a Bachelors Degree in Music from Calif. State University, Northridge and a Masters Degree in Educational Technology from Calif. State University, Sacramento.

Youth Orchestra (MIMYO)

The Music in the Mountains Youth Orchestra (MIMYO) continues the tradition of offering the orchestral experience to players in grades 3-12, under the direction of professional conductors. String, woodwind, brass, and percussion players will work on classical repertoire during weekly rehearsals at the Grass Valley Campus of Sierra College; all in a friendly, nurturing environment. The Link for ONLINE Registration, a PDF registration form to register by mail or in person, and this season’s calendar are available for download at the bottom of this page. There is also an Emergency Information Form which must be downloaded and completed by each student and turned in at the first rehearsal.

Currently, MIMYO is made up of musicians from Grass Valley, Nevada City, Penn Valley, Auburn, Yuba City, and other surrounding areas. The program is underwritten by Julia Amaral and Mark Strate, with support from other donors.

We have some big announcements about exciting changes and upcoming opportunities.

The biggest news is that Shannon Devir has accepted the position as the new director of MIMYO. Mrs. Devir has been the assistant director of MIMYO for many years and we're looking forward to her vibrant and inspiring leadership!

Wonderful News! Kassandra Klassy has accepted the position as our new assistant director  and RESIDENT STRING COACH! She will be there EVERY WEEK to mentor, teach, and inspire. Mrs. Klassey is a professional violinist who has recently moved here from the Bay area where she has an abundant and successful studio. She is looking forward to meeting and working with each one of you!

What's new? We are introducing a STEPPING UP ORCHESTRA!  Mrs. Devir and Mrs. Klassey will provide a supportive and inspiring space where students who have been playing for a year or two will gain the necessary skills and confidence to join the Core Orchestra in years to come. This group will meet on Mondays from 4:30-5:30 each week. They will experience playing in a small orchestra as well as joining the core orchestra. 

What's Cool? This year, along with our Stepping Up Orchestra, we are introducing the opportunity for our current MIMYO members to become MIMYO YOUTH MENTORS. This is an excellent opportunity for you to give back to your community, inspire kids around you and is a great addition to high school and college applications. 

What's the Same? We will still have fun, push ourselves, and learn a lot! Rehearsal time for the Core Orchestra remains the same, 4:30-6:30 Mondays. (AKA: The best time of your week!) Oh yes! The snacks! We will have snacks!

What is the Cost? The orchestra has two sessions each season, culminating in a concert at the end of each session. The cost for the Core Orchestra is $185 per session or $300 if you sign up for both sessions together. The cost for the Stepping Up Orchestra is $150 per session or $245 if you sign up for both sessions together. Family Discounts and Scholarships are available.

Who to call with questions? You can contact Marge if you have any questions at: [email protected]. Marge can let you know about family discounts for registration and scholarship opportunities.

 

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU!!!!!

a brief history of the young composers project:

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Thank you to our Funders:

This education program is funded in part by the League of American Orchestras and The Volgenau Foundation.

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The Volgenau Foundation Logo

Young Composers Project

In 2002, Music in the mountains was one of only nine orchestras in the country to receive a Music Alive grant. The grant was a partnership between the League of American Orchestras and Meet the Composer (now New Music USA). The grant enabled Howard Hersch to start a program with Music in the Mountains for young composers. Their compositions were featured at a SummerFest concert.

Mr. Hersh later invited other composers from the local composers consortium to join him, and he, Jay Sydeman, and Mark Vance started the Young Composer”s Symposium in 2004. A few years later, Jerry Grant joined as a mentor/teacher in the program.

In 2008, Mark Vance became MIM’s Education Coordinator, taking on the responsibility of coordinating all education programs at MIM, including the Young Composers Symposium. A year later, the name was changed to Young Composers Project. During this time Mark and Jerry expanded and improved the program. Mark began pairing the young composers with local causes to inspire their pieces. Students not only learned music composition, but also about local watersheds, the unhoused, shelter animals, and more.

Multiple films were produced about the program. In 2010, Mide Bloebaum produced a film “River Music” that was released to rave review in the community, and released to 350 PBS stations. And in 2019, “Music in the Key of Science” was featured at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival.

During the 2019-2020 school year, the program was taught by composer and feature film violinist, Richard Altenbach, who did a special project funded by the California Arts Council. Richard taught the art of orchestration. The compositions were completed, but unable to be performed by the MIM Orchestra due to the pandemic.

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUSPENDED SINCE MID-2020. FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN A SIMILAR PROGRAM, PLEASE VISIT : https://www.composerscooperative.info/general-7.

 

Thank you to our Funders:

This education program is funded in part by the League of American Orchestras and The Volgenau Foundation.

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Application
Rules
Flyer

Registration Forms

Download and Email to Marge Shasberger.

Young Musicians Competition
and Concerts 2023

In 2023, Music in the Mountains and area Rotary clubs are again collaborating to conduct their two competitions jointly as the Rotary/Music in the Mountains Young Musicians Competition (YMC)!

The Competition takes place via submitted video performances which are professionally judged for cash prizes. Finalists will appear in a Showcase Concert on February 26, 2023, at 2 pm, at St Joseph’s Cultural Center in Grass Valley. One competitor will also go on to the Rotary District 5190 Conference competition April 29, 2023, at Harrah’s in Stateline, Nevada.

Although the two competitions will be conducted jointly, there are separate qualifications and awards for the Music in the Mountains competitors and the Rotary competitors – information is below.

All contestants must download the registration form below and return it as instructed on the form.

Registration fees can be paid by check by mail, or online via either credit card or bank transfer.

PAY ONLINE!

The Music in the Mountains Young Musicians Competition was first held in 1987. It provides the opportunity for Nevada, Placer, Sutter, Butte, Sierra, and Yuba County music students, grades 3-12, to study, memorize and perform classical, broadway, jazz or other repertoire for professional judges. There are multiple awards for different grade levels and all participating students receive detailed written critiques from the adjudicators.

The Rotary Clubs of Western Nevada County’s District Preliminary Music Contest has been held since 2003. It is open to students grades 9-12 that live and attend school in Nevada County (excluding the Truckee area). The winning student video from those wishing to compete in the Rotary Contest as well will be submitted for consideration in the Rotary Virtual District Competition. The winner will be announced in early May.

Youth Choir Activities are Currently Suspended Due to COVID-19 Precautions.

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Youth Choir (MIMYC)

The Music in the Mountains Youth Chorus (MIMYC – pronounced “mimic”) is a community chorus for students in grades 8 through 12. This chorus learns fun and challenging music, vocal technique, rhythm, tone, and more. The chamber chorus sings both a capella and accompanied by a professional orchestra. Members have the option to stay after their rehearsal and sing with the MIM Chorus on full-length choral masterpieces. Rehearsals are Monday nights from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (until 9:00 pm if staying).

Please email [email protected] for an audition.

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Side By Side

Side by Side offers high caliber student musicians the extraordinary opportunity to sit in with the orchestra at rehearsals and perform with their mentors in live performances. This program is free for the students.

Questions or interested in learning more about Side By Side?
Email Music in the Mountains.

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Lucy Becker
Memorial Scholarship

The Lucy Becker Memorial Scholarship honored the memory of a wonderful soprano (pictured left) who contributed her vocal talents to our community through solo and choral performances over many years. This talent-based scholarship was awarded for 11 years. It encouraged dedicated vocal students to continue their studies by providing a cash award and a featured performance on an MIM concert.

Past Becker Scholarship Winners

2023 – Crisia Regalado
2022 – Nicole Young
2019 – Katie Thorpe
2018 – Justin Ramm-Damron
2017 – Alison Willmann
2016 – Monica Serrano
2015 – Elise Savoy
2014 – Walter Aldrich
2013 – Sarah Saturnino
2012 – Meagan Rao
2011 – Kali Hardwick

The Paul Perry Award

The Paul Perry Award goes to the “most outstanding performance” during the Young Musicians Showcase Concert. This concert is the conclusion to the Young Musicians Competition, which also awards many other cash prizes to winners.

Keranen Education
Youth Scholarship

Keranen Education Youth Scholarship, KEYS, offers financial support to help young musicians pay for lessons, instrument rentals, tuition and more. Contact Marge Shasberger, Education Administrator, for the application process.

Making a Difference Scholarship

The Making a Difference Scholarship awards $1,000 annually to a graduating H.S. senior. This Scholarship is awarded in conjunction with Penn Valley Rotary Club and facilitated through the Nevada Joint Union High School District.

Your donation can provide scholarships and teach our kids all about music.

It is only through your generosity that these valuable opportunities for young people continue.

Donate Today!