Adult Group Classes

Adults of all ages find camaraderie, encouragement and inspiration along with excellent instruction at NMS. We have a wide range of offerings for virtually every interest and schedule. Won't you join us? If you have questions or would like more information, please contact:

Ingeborg Schimmer, department chair for group instruction
203-624-5189 x 25 or ischimmer@neighborhoodmusicschool.org

Group Class Rates

Group class rates vary depending on format and number of weeks, and are based on minimum enrollment of three students. Many classes can run with only two students, in which case the number of lessons will be reduced.

Request financial aid.

Summer Course Descriptions

Group Piano for Adult Beginners

Learn the basics of playing the piano in a friendly group of fellow beginners. Small class sizes allow for a high level of personal attention. Classes fill up fast, so register early. Great for building a foundation for future music study on any instrument.

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Fridays, June 22 - July 20	6:30 - 7:15 p.m.	$160	I. Schimmer	Register

"Very, Very Basic" Jazz Piano

Ages 15 - adult. For anyone who has some instruction and is interested in broadening his/her approach to the instrument. Topics include learning to decipher chord symbols, new ways of interprerting basic melodies and tools to begin improvising through blues, jazz and popular music structures. Ideal for anyone who is interested in - but intimidated by - jazz or improvisation. Prerequisite: Ability to ready music, or permission of instructor.

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Mondays, July 9 - Aug. 6	2 - 3 p.m.	$175	Craig Hartley	Register

Keyboard Percussion

For piano students - and exploration of melodic percussion instruments, similar in layout to the piano. You'll learn basis technique and do a lot of ensemble playing!

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Mondays, June 18 - July 23	6 - 7 p.m.	$210	Gretchen Hary	Register

Group Guitar for Adult Beginners

Get a taste for folk, rock and blues guitar while learning the basics of guitar playing in an engaging, fun group lesson. You'll learn chord accompaniment and improvisation with attention to basic harmony. Small class sizes allow for a high level of personal attention.

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Thursdays, June 21 - July 26	6:30-7:15 p.m.	$192	Myron Radawiec	Register

Afro-Caribbean World Beat Percussion

Ages 14 - adult. Explore the layered interlocking polyrhythms of West Africa, the Caribbean and Brazil while learning to play world percussion and hand drums with confidence. World drumming empowers us to find our individual rhythmic voice as it brings us together in cooperation, respect and cultural understanding. This class will focus on djembe, djun djun and conga drums. We will also introduce the gankogui bell and shekere. The rhythmic skills learned in these fun, fast paced classes easily translate to all other musical instruments. 60 minutes.

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Tuesdays, June 18 - July 24	6 - 7 p.m.	$210	Michelle Cappellieri	Register

Percussion Class

For drumset students: An exploration of percussion instruments like orchestral instruments, mallet percussion and world persussion. Includes history and music styles for each instrument plus basic techniques. Students should have at least one year of private instruction, be able to read music and able to play various rhythms, including 16th notes.

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Mondays, June 18 - July 23	5 - 6 p.m.	$210	Gretchen Hary	Register

Musicianship Courses

Sight-Singing Made Simple

Ages 16 - adult. This course is designed to teach adults with little or no experience how to sight-read music. A strong emphasis in identifying intervals and patterns, rhythm and musical vocabulary will give the adult singer the ability to sing new material with confidence.

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Thursdays, June 21 - July 19	5:15 - 6 p.m.	$160	I. Schimmer	Register

Singing: The Basics

Singing relaxes, energizes and entertains. This class will teach fundamentals of voice production in a low-pressure group setting. Each student will receive individual attention and do plenty of singing! Note: If enrollment exceeds four students, class will be extended to a one-hour session.


Fridays, June 22 - July 20	5:45 - 6:30 p.m.	$160	I. Schimmer	Register

Note Reading 101

Ages 16 - adult. For teen/adult beginners who declare they “know nothing,” this welcoming class will emphasize note reading and discovery of the building blocks of musical understanding. Sessions include weekly work on rhythm and notation as well as a rotating schedule of topics such as history and listening. An excellent preparatory class for sight-singing or any private instrumental study.

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Thursdays, June 21 - July 19	7:15 - 8 p.m.	$160	I. Schimmer	Register

Music Appreciation Courses

An Inside Look at Opera - Starts April 18!

Four-session class, Wednesday, 1-2:30 p.m., $120

An inside look at this fascinating art form that blends music and theater. Individual operas are examined in depth, emphasizing music, plot, libretto, singing, acting and stage direction.Operas include those being presented at the Metropolitan Opera and scheduled for broadcast in area movie theaters. In addition to looking at individual operas, the class will take an in-depth look at certain aspects of opera like style, staging, libretti, etc. No previous instruction or music reading necessary. Schedule with class dates and operas will be sent out to registered participants.
Register now.

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Sound Design

Ages 13 - adult. Create fresh, exciting sound design for all performance mediums while learning basic, approachable and effective applications of common private use Sound Design software. Students will practice creating and recording sound in a variety of charged, dynamic environments and from a vast range of poignant sources. The application of sound to music, dance, film, theatre, the visual arts and the live literary genres will all be examined and customized to each student. Get behind the wheel of this singularly powerful artistic element.

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Tuesdays, June 19 - July 24	4 - 5:30 p.m.	$225	Pete DiGennaro	Register

How to Make a Recording

Ages 13 - adult. Explore the fundamental nature of sound and the art of recording while making your own creations with high-fidelity studio resources. Large group, small group, remote recording, the generation of soundsets, building a library, field recording, the development of a song in the studio and recording a band will all be explored and experienced in this class. All levels of experience are welcome. Personal recording equipment is not mandatory, and absolutely no instrumental training is necessary.

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Tuesdays, June 19 - July 24	7 - 8:30 p.m.	$225	Pete DiGennaro	Register

Songwriting

Ages 13 - adult. Encourage and release your unique voice through the art of songwriting! Focusing on songcraft, performance acumen, improvisation and collaboration as crucial elements in this art form, students will gain creative tools necessary for song construction. A weekly workshop format will help guide each student from concept phase through finished song. The class will also study the work of a variety of professional songwriters. A fun and useful course for any students interested in developing their songwriting skills in a safe, productive environment. Instructor will contact students to confirm class time.

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Thursdays, June 21 - July 26	8 - 9:30 p.m.	$225	Pete DiGennaro	Register

History of Rock and Roll

Ages 13 - adult. This class will ecxamine rock and roll's ineage and family tree from pre-1950 to the present day with connections made along artistic and cultural timelines. This class aims to open students to an appreciation of various forms within the genre, while providing social and historicl contexts. And we'll listen to a LOT of great music.

Day	Time	Fee	Instructor
Wednesdays, June 20 - August 1* *No class July 4	4:30 - 5:30 p.m.	$210	Pete DiGennaro	Register

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