Community Music Groups

Meet a new community of musicians and enjoy sight-reading the wealth of repertoire written for smaller ensembles. Play trios, quartets, or other works with string, wind, or piano players at your level. Each session will include time to sight-read music as well as time to receive coaching ideas from RMCMA faculty members to deepen your understanding of that composition. No chamber music experience is necessary, but you must be able to read music with a basic level of fluency. Individuals and established chamber groups are welcome to join.

Ages: Middle school and up | Day and Time: One Saturday a month, 1:00pm-3:00pm September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8 January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11 | Tuition: $20/each session $15/session if you register for 3 or more sessions $50/session for pre-formed chamber groups | Instructor: RMCMA faculty

String players who love to play with others but do not want to commit to strenuous rehearsals and concerts will enjoy this class. Violin, viola, cello, and bass players will read string orchestra and chamber works and enjoy musical collaboration. New compositions will be read at each session, and the group will choose a few pieces to work on in more depth. Basic level of note reading necessary. No audition required.

Ages: Middle School and up | Day and Time: Wednesdays, 5:30pm-7:00pm Fall Term: September 5-October 24 (8 weeks) Winter Term: January 16-March 6 (8 weeks) Spring Term: April 3-May 22 (8 weeks) Tuition: $80/term | Instructor: TBD

This group is open to woodwinds, brass, and percussion instrumentalists.* No formal audition is required but participants are expected to know major scales and be comfortable with intermediate repertoire, which will encompass all genres including popular, march, and symphonic music. At least two public performances are held during the year. *A parallel ensemble is required for public school students.

Ages: High school and up | Day and Time: Thursdays, 7:30pm-9:30pm (NEW TIME!) Fall Term: September 13-December 6 (12 weeks) Winter/Spring: January 17-April 25 (14 weeks) | Tuition: Fall: $45 | Winter/Spring: $55 | Concerts: December 9 and April 28 | Instructor: Jennifer Dunn

If you have ever wanted to learn to play the ukelele, this five-week class is for you! No prior musical experience is necessary. In this weekly one-hour class, you will learn to strum basic chords common in many songs. Ukeleles will be available to rent or buy through the RMCMA. Register for this program through BVSD’s Lifelong Learning Program, BVSD.org/LLC

Ages: Elementary school Location: Pioneer Elementary music room |  Day and Time: Wednesdays, 2:45 pm-3:45 pm | Date: October 10-November 14 (5 weeks), no class on October 31 | Tuition: $65 (plus optional $10 instrument rental fee) | Instructors: Michael Quam

Learn about Caribbean culture through singing, playing, and dancing. Explore the aural characteristics of each genre while considering its socio-cultural context. We will concentrate on Caribbean popular music and study the musical consequences of the cultural encounters between the many groups of Natives, Europeans, and Africans in post-colonial Caribbean countries. No particular music training is required for this class.

Ages: High school and up | Day and Time: Thursdays, 5:30pm-7:00pm Spring: April 4-May 23 (8 weeks) | Tuition: $90 Instructor: Daniel Nunez

The ukulele is an easy instrument to learn and is rapidly becoming one of the most popular instruments around. Whether you are a novice or a pro, you can join friends and neighbors at the RMCMA to make music together. Each session includes both group instruction and playing time. You can bring your own ukulele or rent one from the RMCMA.

Ages: Middle school and up | Day and Time: Thursdays, 5:45pm-7:15pm | Fall Term: Session 1: September 13-October 18 (6 weeks) Winter/Spring: Session 2: February 7-March 14 (6 weeks) | Tuition: $70/session | Instructor: Sarah Goodroad

Discover the experience of connecting with community through music and rhythm. Begin with basic skills and patterns on different hand drums and percussion instruments, then use these ingredients to cook up fabulous new possibilities. Besides stimulating the mind, other benefits include improved coordination, concentration, memory skills, and de-stressing from your day! No experience necessary – just your willingness and enthusiasm.

Ages: 18 and up | Day and Time: Tuesdays, 7:00pm-8:00pm | Fall Term: September 18-November 6 (8 weeks) Winter Term: January 15-March 5 (8 weeks) Spring Term: April 2-May 21 (8 weeks) | Tuition: $80 |  Instructor: Carolyn Kuban