School of American Music
Our mission provides opportunities for area residents and visitors to participate in the arts and in educational programs.
The School of American Music is Michiana’s musical connection.
We Value:
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
We offer programs only when there are highly qualified people to lead them.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
We operate a community institution based on transparency, fairness and openness to all in participation and governance.
AFFORDABILITY
We strive to keep fees low and provide scholarships to all those in need.
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
We support local artists and teachers, who are vital to our quality of life.
SUSTAINABILTY
We have launched an endowment fundraising campaign to ensure financial security and the ability to continue to provide programs.
EVENTS
“Rhythms of America: From Jazz to Classical” Piano and Cello Concert by Aglaja Petrova and Charlie Mueller
Saturday, January 11, 2025 4:00 PM EST
The Acorn, 107 Generations Dr., Three Oaks, Mich.
Free Event, Ticket Required
Get Free Tickets
Producer: Tom Flint
Aglaja Petrova, pianist, and Charlie Mueller, cellist, will be performing a concert "Rhythms of America: From Jazz to Classical". The concert will feature solo piano, solo cello, and duets by American composers (Scott Joplin, George Gershwin, Florence Price, Amy Beach) as well as a Bach cello suite. During the performance Aglaja will speak about each piece to form a deeper connection between the audience, the performers and the music. The free tickets and the mid-afternoon performance time are chosen so this event can be attended by as many families, friends, and Harbor Country students as possible. The concert is free thanks to the generous sponsorship of Margie and Bob Fisher
Aglaja is an exceptional pianist. She graduated from the highly prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in 2023 with a piano performance major. She is currently in her second year of a Master’s program in Arts Administration at Indiana University. Aglaja is from New Buffalo, Mich. and Michigan City, Ind. She was a piano instructor for the School of American Music before she went away to college. She has performed at many School of American Music house concerts. Click this to see a Q&A with Aglaja.
Cellist Charlie Mueller is also a very talented musician. He is a senior in the cello performance program at Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Charlie is from Chicago, Ill.
About Us
The School of American Music provides music education, free concerts, community service, and special events year round throughout Harbor Country.
Lessons
Our lessons are taught by performing musicians to students of all ages. We offer beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes in styles ranging from contemporary to classical, gospel to bluegrass. Scholarships are available
Events
Our events range from free family concerts with exceptional performances to community singalongs to outdoor music festivals.
We also have ticketed concerts of world-class performances for the benefit of the school’s Future Fund.
Harbor Country Singers
The Harbor Country Singers is a community choir supported by the School of American Music and a grant from the Pokagon Fund.
The chorus rehearses and performs at seasonal events, including an annual Christmas concert and outdoor singalongs in the warmer months.
NEWS & UPDATES
October 27, 2023
SAM Completes Teacher Training for Neurodivergent Learners
Teachers for School of American Music (SAM) recently completed a training session on methods for teaching “neurodivergent” learners – a term specialists use to describe people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Asperger’s, ADHD, or other neurological conditions.
August 29, 2023
Harbor Country Singers Announces New Director and Start of Rehearsals for Christmas Concert
The Harbor Country Singers (HCS) community choir is pleased to welcome their new director, Maggie Martin, and will be starting rehearsals in late September for the annual Christmas concert.
July 20, 2023
School of American Music Extends Tuition Promise to NW Indiana
The School of American Music (SAM) provides professional-level music instruction to students of all ages with a promise that tuition will be affordable and students who need scholarships will receive them. In addition, 100% scholarships are offered to young clients of the Michigan non-profit Neighbor-by-Neighbor (NxN), with free musical instruments from Drew’s Gift of Music.
January 13, 2022
School of American Music Turns 10!
For a decade now, the School of American Music has enriched Harbor Country with the sound of music. Join our campaign to raise an endowment so that SAM continues to fill the need for arts programming in southwest Michigan.
Many thanks to our corporate sponsors!
Michiana Arts Foundation
Everwise Credit Union
The Pokagon Fund
Indiana Michigan Power
American Electric Power Foundation