Group Classes & Chamber Ensembles

The Manchester Community Music School offers a variety of programs, classes and ensembles to be taken alone, or to enrich, supplement and complement private lessons.

 

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY & RECORDING PROGRAMS
The state of the art Music Technology Lab and Recording Studio will contain workstations with iMac computers and Roland synthesizers. Classes in various recording techniques, electronic music, mixing, podcasting, & more! Master the leading technologies: Pro Tools, Sibelius, Garage Band, etc. Or, take advantage of our Rent-A-Tech or recording services to record your solo, band, or ensemble. Click here for class descriptions.


FLUTE CHOIRS

A great opportunity for musicians of all ages to play and perform in a positive, non-competitive environment, intended to compliment private lessons and other learning experiences. A placement audition is required.

Tuition: $255**

Fairytale Music: Selections from Shrek, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Cinderella. First rehearsal is January 25, 2010.

 

Length: 60 minutes/14 weeks

Tuition: $255**

Music of the Night: Selections from Twilight, Kennan's Night Sililoquy, and Overture to Midsummer Night's Dream. First rehearsal is January 28, 2010.

 

Class time: Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Length: Special 4 week session, March 30 - April 20, 2010

Tuition: $75

The Adult Flute Choir is a relaxed ensemble to help players take their playing skills to the next level. In this 4-week session, students will gain new skills and techniques and work with other adults who share their enthusiasm for flute music. Come re-kindle your love of flute playing!

Class time: Thursday 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Length: Special 4-week session, April 1 - April 22, 2010

Tuition: $75

Instructor: Margaret Herlehy

What could be more fun than an adult ensemble of double reed players! If you play one of these woodwind instruments, oboe, English horn, or bassoon, come join in the music making! This ensemble will meet for 4 weeks and will explore music for the double reed ensemble.

 

 

 

This Group Instrument Lessons program is modeled after Dynamic Starts at Chicago's esteemed Merit School of Music.
Classes begin the week of January 25, 2010.

Through small group instruction, our expert faculty encourages beginning students to get excited about learning an instrument. Your student will learn the musical fundamentals that are essential to every student’s education. Small group classes of 4-6 students also provide the opportunity to further develop social skills as they play and interact with other young musicians and teachers. Each instrument class will be taught by a specialist on that instrument. MCMS has information about instrument rental.

Beginner Group String Lessons - Violin , Viola and String Bass

One class for Each Instrument
Time: Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:15 PM
Length: 45 minutes/14-weeks
Tuition: $240

Beginner Group Lessons - Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone
One class for Each Instrument
Time: Wednesdays 4:45 - 5:30 PM
Length: 45 minutes/14-weeks
Tuition: $240

Intermediate Group Lessons - Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone
One class for Each Instrument
Time: Wednesdays 4:00 - 4:45 PM
Length: 45 minutes/14-weeks
Tuition: $240

 

 

 

 

Come explore different musical instruments! These classes will give students the opportunity to have a “first lesson” on several musical instruments. There are two sections, a string instrument class and a band instrument class. Each week, students will play two instruments, covering six different instruments over the course of the three week class. All instruments and materials are provided.

 

 

 

 

The Piano Lab at MCMS is equipped with 6 Roland Digital Pianos, allowing innovative piano instruction where tradition and technology meet in harmony. With an emphasis on hand-on learning, MCMS provides the ideal setting in which to develop your musical creativity. Piano Lab time is available for free for registered students to practice.

 

Piano Explorations

 

 

When you walk by a piano do you wish that you could sit down and play a favorite tune? This class is designed for adults with little or no keyboard experience. Students may utlitze the piano lab for scheduled practice time.

 

Length: 60 Minutes/14-week session starting on February 4, 2010
Tuition:$320

Perfect for students new to the piano!

Thursday 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Students with some playing experience would excel in this class.

Wednesday 6:30 – 7:30 pm

 

 

Complement your private instruction with a group activity, piano ensemble. Join with friends to play together in an ensemble setting. Build musicianship and develop playing skills by working with others on music suited to your level of ability. Piano ensembles are now forming, so call today.

Ages: Early intermediate ability and up for all ages
Length: 12-week session
Tuition: for Duos: 60 minutes $380; 45 minutes $330 **

for Trios, Quartets, Quintets: 60 minutes $280; 45 minutes $230 **

for Ensembles larger than 5 players: 60 minutes $250 **


MUSIC THEORY

Every musician needs to know the basics of music theory. Learn the science behind the music in this music theory class. This class will be held in the piano lab utilizing a hands-on practical approach to music theory. Youu will learn about intervals, scales, chords, inversions, transpositions, and much more.

 

Instructor: Piper Runnion-Bareford

Class time: Tuesday 4:15 - 5:15 pm

Length: 60 minutes/14 week session

Tuition: $280**

Playing in a chamber ensemble is a very motivating experience for players of all ages. Chamber ensembles offer students a unique opportunity to develop musicianship and improve playing skills in small group setting. Ensembles will be arranged with students of like levels of ability and ages. Rehearsals will be scheduled according to student and teacher availability, much like private lessons.

Ensembles will rehearse for 12 weeks and conclude with a chamber music performance.  A placement audition is required and can be arranged by contacting the MCMS office. For the placement auditions, students will play a selection of their choice. All students will sight read during the audition. Auditions are 15 minutes in length.

Tuition: $300**

Length: 12 week session

 

This ensemble is for beginner string students who have started to read music. To qualify for this class, violin, viola, and cello students need to be finishing at least book one of the string method series they are studying. This program is designed to help students learn to listen to each other, follow the conductor, follow dynamics and count while reading and playing beginning string orchestra music. An audition with the instructor is required.

ADULT STRING ENSEMBLE

For adults with one year of private study through advanced study. This class will be divided into 3 sections: Beginner Ensemble, Intermediate Ensemble, and Advanced Ensemble. Students will be placed in ensembles based on consultation with the instructor. Enjoy this opportunity for adult students and amateurs to play chamber music with their peers in a professional, nurturing environment. Throughout the course, a variety of repertoire will be explored, with ample time to get to know your fellow musicians.

 

Director: Deborah Markow
Class Time: Thursday 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Age: Adults
Length: 2 hours/12-week session
Tuition: $250


Music Skills for Adult Singers

Whether you are looking to improve your singing skills or add to your general knowledge of music, Music Skills for Adult Singers is a class for you! In this class taught, with the adult learner in mind, you will increase your understanding music notation, improve your sight-singing skills, learn vocal warm-ups and techniques to maximize your voice, and understand the principles of good singing.

 

Instructor: Donna Lombardo

Time: Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Length: 60 min./14 week session

Tuition: $250

**Indicates classes or ensembles which are eligible for a 20% discount to students registered for private lessons or the NH Youth Ensemble Program.