Group Classes & Chamber Ensembles

****NEW*** 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.

Practical Recording Techniques Using ProTools
Recording your own music has never been easier with digital technology and equipment. This class will demystify recording techniques. Develop the skills to produce a demo recording, while learning microphone placement, signal flow, and operation of multi-track recording equipment. Knowledge of Macintosh computers is helpful but not required.  
Instructors: Carl Benevides, Mike Clark
Age:  All Ages
Class Time:     Monday 4:30-6:00
        Thursday 7:00-8:30
Length: 90 minutes/14 weeks   
Tuition: $420


Intermediate Music Production and Mixing with ProTools
Thinking of recording your band? Do you want to add effects and do more with using multiple tracks? This course offers a more in-depth look at the work involved with the post-production, signal processing and mastering of contemporary music. Learn the techniques the pros use when producing an album. Knowledge of Macintosh computers is helpful but not required.
Prerequisite: Practical Recording Techniques or equivalent experience.
Instructor: Carl Benevides
Age:  All Ages
Class Time:     Wednesday 5:30-7:00
        Thursday TBA
Length: 90 minutes/14 weeks   
Tuition: $420


Making Music With Apple’s GarageBand
Learn how to use Apple’s GarageBand to compose and record music. Using the included loops or creating your own, create backgrounds for improvisation, movie soundtracks and hip hop music. Knowledge of Macintosh computers is helpful but not required.   
Instructor: Carl Benevides
Age:  All Ages
Class Time:     Wednesday 4:30-5:30
Length: 60 minutes/14 weeks   
Tuition: $280


Digital Storytelling: Composing Music Using Stories
Through themes and visual imagery students will learn elements of composition using Sibelius Music Notation Software. See your musical thoughts come alive from the written page.
Instructor: Aubrie Dionne
Age:  All Ages
Class Time:     Monday 6:00-6:45
        Saturday 11:00-11:45
Length: 45 minutes/14 weeks   
Tuition: $252

Contemporary Songwriting I
Using the new Technology Lab, this course will discuss songwriting for popular and rock music. We will consider the contemporary song its literary aspects (poetry and devices for lyric writing), and musical elements (melody, song structure, hook, instrumentation and arrangement). Students will receive helpful advice and encouragement as they learn to create their own songs. A musical background, preferably experience in guitar or piano is required.
Instructor: Chris Cavanaugh
Age:  All Ages
Class Time:     Tuesday 6:30-7:30
Length: 60 minutes/14 weeks   
Tuition: $280

Read, Write and Record
Children will celebrate learning to play their first instrument in a recorder band while learning about the fundamentals of music.  They will enjoy playing imitative games while learning to read music and enter the technology world while writing their own tunes.  Record and play back each student's composition and the recorder band performance at the end of the session.
Instructor: Debi Keefe
Ages: 6-8 years
Class Time:
Tuesdays 4:30 p.m.
Fridays, 2:00 p.m. - Great for Homeschoolers!
Length: 45 minutes/14-week session
Tuition: $252



****NEW***  INSTRUMENT 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.

Flute Choirs
High School Brass Choir  - Starts October 1, 2008
Time: Wednesdays 5:30 to 6:30  
Length: 60 minutes/12 week session
Tuition:  $220**

High School Woodwind Choir - Starts October 1, 2008
Woodwind Instructor: Judy Teehan
Time: Wednesdays 5:30 to 6:30 
Length: 60 minutes/12 week session
Tuition:  $220**

High School Saxophone Choir - Starts October 1, 2008
Instructor: Don Davis
Time: Wednesdays 5:30 to 6:30 
Length: 60 minutes/12 week session
Tuition:  $220**




***NEW****  GROUP INSTRUMENT LESSONS
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 also provide students with 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.
Group Instrument Lessons Begin week of October 7, 2008

The suggested grades for each instrument are: 
Grades 3-6: violin, double bass and recorder
Grades 4-6: guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion.

Beginner Group String Lessons, Violin and Double Bass
Time:  Tuesdays 4:00 - 4:45
Length: 45 minutes/14-weeks
Tuition: $240

Beginner Group Lessons, Instruments including: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion
Time:  Wednesdays 4:00 - 4:45
Length:  45 minutes/14-weeks
Tuition: $240

Beginning Group Recorder Lessons
Time:  Friday 3:30-4:15
Length: 45 minutes/14-weeks
Tuition: $240  

Intermediate Group Lessons for students grades 5-9 with one year of experience.
Instruments including: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion
Time:  Wednesdays 4:45 - 5:30
Length: 45 minutes/14-weeks
Tuition: $240
Intermediate students receive a discount on tuition for Concert Band which will meet from November to April.



CLASSES & CHAMBER MUSIC
Piano Explorations
Ages: Kindergarten to Fourth Grade
Instructor: Lilly Palchevsky
Class Times: Wednesday 3:30pm for grades 1-2

                         Thursday 6:00pm for grades 3-4

Length: 60 minutes/14 week session (Instruction books included)

Tuition: $430

In a small class setting with a maximum of four children grouped by grade level, students are introduced to the fundamentals of music through movement, singing, games, piano improvisation, ear training, and reading notes. A piano or keyboard is required at home.

Music Theory

Learn the science behind the music in this music theory class. Find out how music is composed, the make up of chords and how they relate to each other and much more. Following a simple and methodical approach to composition, the students will compose and conduct their own music, which will be performed in class or in a student ensemble group.

Instructor: Aubrie Dionne

Class time: Thursday 6:00pm

Length: 60 minutes/14 week session

Tuition: $280**

Chamber Music
Custom Designed Ensembles for All Ages
Length: 12-week session
Tuition** for Duos: 60 minutes: $380; 45 minutes $330 Having a musical conversation with fellow players is what ensembles are all about. If you would like to participate in a duo, trio, or quartet for strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, or piano, chamber ensembles are for you. Ensemble experience is an essential element in music education, and MCMS continues to expand it Chamber Music Program in order to offer this exciting educational experience to more students. Musicians will be asked to participate in placement consultation/auditions to enable the faculty to form ensembles of players at similar ability levels. Recital and performance opportunities for these ensembles will be offered. MCMS forms new youth and adult chamber ensembles throughout the year, so call today or click here to email the registrar about joining a group!

Beginner String Ensemble
Instructor: Deborah Markow
Time: Thursdays 4:30pm
Ages: 6-11 (Grades 1 - 5)
Length: 60 minutes/12 week session
Tuition: $246**

 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.

Beginning Piano Class for Adults
Class Time: Wednesdays 7:30pm
Age: Adults
Instructor: Lilly Palchevsky
Length: 60 Minutes/14-week session
Tuition:$460

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. Maximum class size is 4 and students are required to have access to a piano or keyboard at home for practice.

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

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.

Jazz Theory and Improvisation
This 12-week course will focus on the construction and use of chords, scales, and modes in jazz improvisation. Study will be reinforced with relevant recordings and solo transcriptions.

 Prerequisite: Ability to read music
Instructor:  Don Davis
Class Time: Monday 5:00 pm
Length: 60 minutes/12 week session
Ages: All ages, including adult
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.