Community Music Classes and Adult Programs

In September 2009, we will begin the next semester of our Community Music Program of Saturday classes for kids, teenagers, and weeknight programs for adults. For information on any aspect of the program, classes, scholarship information, or to be placed on our mailing list, please contact Edith Auner at Edith.Auner@tufts.edu or (617) 627-5616. The application for the fall is below.

Click here to view photos of the Community Music Program.

Community Music Programs at Tufts
(click below to download the application)
APPLICATION FOR THE PROGRAM - AGES 3 to 18
APPLICATION FOR THE PROGRAM - ADULTS

Saturday classes (9 am to 1 pm); September to June every academic year.

The Granoff Music Center and Tufts Music is proud to present and offer the following Community Music Offerings in 2009 and 2010.

Community Music Classes for Children, Teenagers, Adults
Fall/Winter Semester I Class dates:
September 26
October 3, 10, 24, 31 (No class on October 17 - Tufts Parents Weekend)
November 7, 14, 21 (No class on November 28 - Thanksgiving Weekend)
December 5, 12, 19 (No class on December 26 and January 2 – School Vacation)
January 9, 16, 23
Concerts for the first semester on January 23 at 1 pm and 2:30 pm.


Winter/Spring Semester II Class dates:
January 30
February 6, 27 (No class on February 13, 20 - School Vacation)
March 6, 13, 20, 27
April 3, 10 (No class on April 17, 24 - School Vacation)
May 1, 8, 15, 22 (No class on May 29 - Memorial Day Weekend)
June 5
Concerts for second semester on June 5

 

CLASS SCHEDULE
Classes for young children ages 3 - 8
Music and Movement based on Dalcroze Eurhythmics.  45 minute classes for 3 and 4 year olds, 1 hour classes for 5-6 and 7-8 year olds.
Jill Gleim (Click for bio) and Sung Hyun Kim, instructors. Click for bio.
$170.00 per semester 
The Dalcroze method teaches musical concepts through movement, storytelling, folk songs and dances.  The process emphasizes body awareness, self-expression, exploration and control. This experience is particularly exciting in the development of musical training for young children.

Fall Schedule:
3 year old class - 9:30 am.
4 year old class - 10:15 am.
5-6 year old class - 11:00 am.
7-8 year old class - 9:15 am.

* An 8:45 class will be offered if needed.

Classes for Children 6 - 9

Group Recorder Class  One hour class. 9 am - 10am;
Nedra Bickham, instructor. Click for bio.     
$170 per semester
The recorder is an excellent instrument for children as an introduction to music making. It is a proven fact that learning a musical instrument enhances concentration and self-confidence. In this beginning recorder class, we will learn tone production and basic fingerings on the recorder as well as how to read music and play by ear. This will enable us to play simple tunes as a group and as our class progresses we can expand to play duets, trios, and rounds. 

 

Classes for Children 7 - 10

Beginning Piano Class  One hour class. 9 am - 10 am, 10 am - 11 am, 12 pm - 1 pm, 1 pm - 2 pm, and
2 pm - 3 pm;
Nando Michelin, instructor. Click for bio.  
$250 per semester
Taught in our piano/computer lab with touch sensitive keyboards.  

Intermediate Piano Class  One hour class. 11 am - 12 pm;
Nando Michelin, instructor. Click for bio.  
$250 per semester
Taught in our piano/computer lab with touch sensitive keyboards.  

Choral Singing and Musicianship Class  One hour classes. 11 am - 12 pm;
Rebecca Sacks, instructor. Click for bio.
$150 per semester
Life's A Song, So Let's Sing!
Music is a lot of fun, but do you know what the big words mean that make songs "go"? Melody, Harmony, Rhythm... A Cappella? Come find out in the context of singing. Through the use of music from a variety of cultures and styles, we will explore how songs are formed and what they mean to people by singing them together - madrigals, folk songs, spirituals, chant, blues, show tunes, rock and roll, and even pop music of today! Along the way, we learn about music notation as well. But mostly, we will find songs we like and make music together!

Group Violin Class One hour classes. 9 am - 10 am, beginning class; 10 am - 11 am, level two; 11 am - 12 pm, intermediate class;
Laura Kozachek, intstructor. Click for bio.
$170 per semester
Beginning violin students will improve technically and musically in a group environment that fosters teamwork and encouragement. Each class will include time spent learning how to read music and a session on playing position in addition to practicing repertoire. Solo and duet material will be equally emphasized so that students learn how to play by themselves and with other musicians.

 

Classes for Children 9 - 12

Flute Class One hour classes. 10 am - 11 am;
Nedra Bickham, instructor. Click for bio.
$250 per semester
In flute class your child will first learn the fundamentals of music (reading music, rhythm, pitch and scales). The next step is to master flute technique: embouchure, correct flute posture, hand positions. We will then apply these skills to the flute, beginning with simple flute fingerings and progressing to melodies, duets and trios. A teacher-approved flute is required.

Classes for Middle and High School Students

African Drumming  One hour classes. 10 am – 11 am;
Ian Gendreau, instructor. Click for bio.
$250 per semester
Come and play traditional drumming music from Ghana, West Africa. In this class we will learn to play rhythms and sing songs from the Ga people of Ghana. We will also learn how to play hand drums, bells, rattles and other instruments of the Ga. Playing the music will also help us to understand the culture of the Ga people. You don't need previous drumming experience, you just need to be ready to have fun!

Drumset Class   One hour classes. 11 am - 12 pm;
Ian Gendreau, instructor. Click for bio.
$250 per semester
This is a fun introductory drum set class for beginners. We will work on basic technique, reading notation, improvisation, and performance for drum set. The class will work on individual pieces as well as ensemble works. No experience is necessary but you do need access to a drum set for practice during the week. Join us for a fun group learning experience.

Chamber Music  One hour classes. 
$315 per semester
Peter D'Elia and Elliot Cless (Click for bio), instructors
Musicians in small groups, playing one on a part, explore some of the greatest music ever written, with weekly coachings.  String quartets, piano trios, piano quartets, brass quintet, etc.

Introductory Course for Non-Classical Guitar One hour classes. 10 am - 11 am, 11 am - 12 pm, 12 pm - 1 pm; beginner and intermediate classes;
Jerry Bussiere, instructor. Click for bio.
$250 per semester
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of the guitar as played with a plectrum
(pick), with an emphasis on reading music in standard notation.

Javanese Gamelan Ensemble  One hour classes. 10 am - 11 am, 11 am - 12 pm;
Barry Drummund, instructor. Click for bio.    
$250 per semester
Enroll to learn the music of the island of Java, Indonesia. Gamelan are orchestras consisting primarily of gongs, metallophones and other percussion instruments. Students will learn the different instruments while learning pieces of the traditional repertoire of the court cities of Surakarta and Yogyakarta. The music is at once beautiful, rich in texture, and immediately accessible to those experiencing it for the first time.

Music Theory and Composition One hour classes. 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm;
Rebecca Sacks, instructor. Click for bio.
$250 per semester
This unique and exciting program has two aims: 1) Students will develop their musical creativity by learning to compose their own music. 2) Students will master the fundamental elements of music theory, including notation, rhythm, harmony, melody and form. The class is geared towards students who have little or no experience with composing and music theory; however, intermediate levels will be offered for students with prior experience.

Jazz and Improvisational Music Ensemble  One hour classes, 3 pm - 4 pm;
$250 per semester
In this class we'll work in performing and improvising mainly in the Jazz idiom, focusing on group interaction.
Music can be learned by ear (reading skills helpful but not a requisite). We'll work towards preparing a repertoire to be performed at the end of the term. Nando Michelin, instructor. Click for bio.  

A Cappella Singing Class for students ages 10-14 One hour class, 12 pm - 1 pm;
Victoria Hayes, instructor.
$150 per semester
This course is designed for students interested in singing and ultimately forming an a cappella group. Singing a cappella means that all elements of a song (melody, harmony, instrument sounds, rhythmic beats, etc.) are produced vocally. No prior singing experience is necessary, but being able to work and sing together as a group is essential. Each class will begin with an introduction to various a cappella music styles including jazz, pop, r&b, hip hop, rock, soul, etc. Students will develop certain vocal techniques and expand their understanding of pitch, rhythm, melody, harmony, and note recognition. Songs will be selected by the class and arranged for future performances throughout the semester.

Musical opportunities for Adult Musicians and Advanced High School Students

Chamber Music for Adult Chamber Musicians (adults only)
Study and perform chamber works with the outstanding applied faculty at Tufts. The workshops will be offered in the fall and spring semesters and will be 8 weeks in length and include six 90-minute coached sessions, group rehearsals, and will culminate in recitals in Distler Recital Hall in January and June. Each group will work intensively with an experienced chamber music coach at a mutually agreed upon time. Groups for strings, woodwinds, brass, and piano will be formed based on experience and repertoire options. Pre-existing groups are also welcome. The fee for the workshop is $195.00. Applications are due on October 10 for the fall workshop and on March 1 for the spring workshop. For more information or to arrange an audition, please contact Edith Auner at Edith.Auner@tufts.edu or 617.627.5616

Boston Village Gamelan (adults and advanced high school students)
The Boston Village Gamelan (BVG), one of the first independent gamelan ensembles in America, was established in 1979 and has been in residence at Tufts University since 1994. The ensemble performs regularly in the New England area; its focus the traditional repertoire of Surakarta and Central Java. BVG rehearsals are open to the public and new participants are always welcome. For further information, contact Barry Drummond at barry.drummond@tufts.edu. Click for bio.    

Voice Class and Madrigal Choir (adults only)
Jared Trudeau, instructor. Click for bio.
$250 per semester
Tuesday evenings at 7 pm for one hour.

Piano Class for Adults
Nando Michelin, instructor
Tuesday evenings, 8 pm to 9 pm, group piano class taught in our piano/computer lab with touch sensitive keyboards. This is a class for adult beginners. Six week session this fall. Tuition is $110. Contact Edie Auner (numbers and email above) for more information.

African Drumming  One hour classes. Monday evenings, 8 pm – 9 pm, beginning September 28;
Ian Gendreau, instructor. Click for bio.
$130 per 8-week session
This is a class in African Drumming for adults of various levels of experience. We will learn hand drumming techniques associated with Kpanlogo drumming from Ghana as well as other Ghanaian styles. We will focus on technique, rhythm, and ensemble performance as we learn both rhythms and songs from Ghana. We’ll provide the drums for this relaxed learning experience.