Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music
A Program of Eastern Mennonite University
The Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music became a program of EMU’s department of music in 1988 and is dedicated to providing the highest quality music education to all students in the central Shenandoah Valley regardless of age, ability, race, gender, financial circumstances, or ethnic origin through private and/or group instruction in a variety of musical areas as well as through performance settings. Under the management of Erin Weldon, musical instruction is given to over 500 students in the following areas:
- Instrumental music instruction: violin, viola, cello, double bass, piano, percussion, guitar, flute, clarinet, mandolin, winds, and brass; Suzuki method violin, and viola
- Pre-School Music Instruction: ages infant to 5 years.
- Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony grades 6-12
- Sinfonia Strings: ages 7-14 years
- Harrisonburg City School After-School Violin Program: grades 4-5
For more information on any program contact prepmusic@emu.edu.
Registration Information - Spring 2025
Instrumental Lessons
Register now for the Spring of 2025 instrumental lessons.
Suzuki Strings - (15 weeks) Weekly private lessons and 7 group lessons per semester
| 30 min. | 45 min. | 60 min. | |
| Intern | $346 | $483 | $621 |
| Instructor | $422 | $599 | $774 |
| Faculty | $499 | $713 | $927 |
Other Instrumental Lessons (15 weeks)
| 30 min. | 45 min. | 60 min. | |
| Intern | $281 | $418 | $556 |
| Instructor | $357 | $543 | $709 |
| Faculty | $434 | $648 | $862 |
We have created an online registration form that everyone is welcome to use. In the past the only way you could register online was if you were willing to pay online through the EMU portal which applied an extra fee that wasn't suitable for all users. Now you can register online and pay either by check, cash, or credit card.
Online registration for instrumental lessons - (Returning Families Only)
Online registration for instrumental lessons - (New Families Only)
Composition Lessons:
Pre-School Music
Music for Babies (ages 0-3yrs.)- 10 weeks Introduce your baby to concepts like steady beat, melody, and movement. This introductory course provides consistent exposure, allowing babies to use things like shakers, rhythm sticks, and scarves to learn how music can foster creativity and play. Led by Lindsay Lam.
Registrations due January 27, 2025
Music for Toddlers (ages 2-5yrs.)- 10 weeks This class reinforces concepts like steady beat, melody, and movement. We take the ideas of creativity and musical play to build songs and activities that kids can expand on their own at home. This class focuses on world music, allowing kids to hear music and see instruments from different countries and cultures. Led by Lindsay Lam.
Registrations due January 27, 2025
Online registration for Pre-School Music classes
Mail in registration for Pre-School Music classes
Our students and performances
Believing music can enrich everyone’s life and is to be shared, performances are arranged in formal and informal settings on EMU’s campus and throughout the community to provide quality music education to the residents of the greater central Shenandoah Valley area. Participants come from as far north and east as Woodstock and Luray and from as far south as Waynesboro and Lexington. Students also travel from West Virginia.
DONATE to Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music
Donations help students purchase lessons, music, instrument rental, and ensemble fees. Make a tax-deductible donation online, or send your donation (made out to EMU, with 'scholarship donation' in the memo) to the SVPM Office (EMU Prep Music, 1200 Park Rd, Harrisonburg VA 22802).
Contact us
Interested in learning more about music lessons at EMU? Contact the SVPM Office at 540-432-4277 or prepmusic@emu.edu. We’d love to hear from you!
SVPM is located on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University, in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Erin Weldon's (manager) office is now located in the same office space as the Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir at 1111 College Ave. This is located right beside the Annex . On the main floor of Lehman you’ll find a mainstage auditorium that houses performances, weekly chapel, university events, and more. On the lower level you’ll find the music program offices (through the glass double doors), faculty offices, a recital hall, individual practice rooms, and more.
Important Information
Inclement Weather: In cases of inclement weather, cancellation of private lessons and classes is left up to the individual teacher and families. If you do not receive cancellation notice from your teacher, assume that your lesson is still on. Please contact your teacher if you cannot attend because of bad weather.
