Institutionalized

The Songwriting & Performance Institute is offering a variety of classes throughout the month of February, beginning with an introductory course taught by Todd South and Chip Evans, Overview of Today’s Music World, for teenagers and parents on Monday, Feb. 2, at 6 p.m., $39.95. (Free for parents accompanying a teen student.) Other classes include:

• Kate Cotter will teach a six-part songwriting course for teens that begins on Monday, Feb. 9, at 4:30 p.m., $129.95 for six, one-hour clinics. This series will focus on the core principles of songwriting.

• Eric Stangeland teaches Guitar for Songwriters, $129.95 for six, one-hour clinics, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m.

• Grace Hutchison teaches Keyboards for Songwriters, $129.95 six, one-hour clinics, beginning Thursday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. These instrument classes focus on chord shapes and progressions and other tools for the songwriter.

• Todd South will teach Recording Techniques, $49.95 for two, one-hour clinics beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. South is also the chief engineer at The SPI recording studio. The studio is open for booking to students and non-students alike, with rates starting at $35 an hour.

• There are a number of other standalone clinics as well as multiple-part courses, including classes on vocal techniques, taught by South and Hutchison. The first will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m., $129.95 for six, one-hour clinics.

• Oliver Ex will be conducting back-to-back clinics on business and promotion on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. for teens and at 8 p.m. for adults, $49.95 for two one-hour clinics.

• SPI also offers individual assessments and personalized course curriculums, but the institute’s signature program is called the Stage & Studio Series. It includes clinics on music theory, songwriting principles, skills for public performance and recording techniques. This series will conclude with a public concert and a recording session, $349.95 for 16 one-hour clinics. The first Stage & Studio Series, taught by Eric Stangeland, will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m.

• All the clinics require advance registration. (Email <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,114,101,103,105,115,116,101,114,64,115,112,105,109,117,115,105,99,46,99,111,109,34,62,114,101,103,105,115,116,101,114,64,115,112,105,109,117,115,105,99,46,99,111,109,60,47,97,62)) } </script> to register.) The institute is at 1255 S. Wells Ave. For more information, including a complete class schedule and more details about rates and times, visit spimusic.com or call 657-8190.