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.
Wooden Boxes and Pipes!” Concert
Sunday, March 16, 2025 3:00 PM EDT
Episcopal Church of the Mediator, 14280 Red Arrow Hwy., Harbert, Mich.
Free Event - Free Family Concert
Producer: Donna M. Mitchell
The School of American Music is delighted to present a Michigan City Chamber Music Festival (MCCMF) concert for children titled “Wooden Boxes and Pipes!”
The performance will be a fun and interactive showcase for children of all ages. It will demonstrate the sounds and ranges of stringed and woodwind instruments. Audience members can enjoy participating as musicians during the presentation and many fun and educational pieces of music will be performed. The performers and presenters will be Nic Orbovich, violin/viola; Jennet Ingle, oboe/English horn; and Sunny Gardner Orbovich, Education Director, MCCMF. Please see the biographies for the performers here.
Admission to the concert is free, but a food item donation is requested for Neighbor by Neighbor, a nonprofit connecting vulnerable residents of southwest Berrien County with resources and services. Donations of pull-tab cans of soups, stews, tuna, ravioli, spaghetti, or anything that is easy to heat are requested.
The School of American Music Family Concert Series is made possible by a grant from the Pokagon Fund and donations to the school, and by Episcopal Church of the Mediator providing the venue.
EVENTS
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.
We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of our corporate sponsors and grants who make our programming at the School of American Music possible! Your commitment to the arts and education helps us bring music to our community, inspire students, and create unforgettable experiences.
Michiana Arts Foundation
Everwise Credit Union
Everwise Foundation
The Pokagon Fund
Indiana Michigan Power
American Electric Power Foundation