Bay Chamber Music SchoolA cornerstone of the Midcoast community.
Founded in 2011, Bay Chamber Music School is a place where people of all ages and diversities have the opportunity to participate in a music-making community.
In addition to a first-class music education, Bay Chamber students and their families also enjoy complimentary tickets to select performances throughout the year, bringing together our Music School community with professional performers from around the world.
Programs at a glance
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Over 200 lessons are taught each week by our 24 professional faculty, along with a wide range of ensemble and chamber music opportunities.
Scroll down to read about the following classes!Saturday Workshops with Jeff Weinberger
Music Theory For The Perplexed | Saturday, March 22 10:30-12PM
Music theory does not have to be intimidating! This workshop is intended for instrumentalists (any instrument!) who are curious about the inner workings of music but are unsatisfied with learning from textbooks, websites, etc. There will be an emphasis on practical theory that is immediately usable in your music making and is open to players of all levels of proficiency. No music reading skills necessary.
The Strum Is The Thing | Saturday, April 19 from 10:30AM-12PM
Rhythm is one of the most important and appealing elements of music. It also is sometimes a difficult thing to understand and put into practice. This workshop addresses how to develop your sense of rhythm, groove, feel and timing on the ukulele. There are some very basic strumming techniques to cover and also some more advanced, fun ones that will unlock the mysteries of how the masters of uke do what they do. From earthy folk songs to passionate flamenco, old time rock to down home blues, elegant dancing to swampy grooves, we'll cover a lot of ground and do a lot of interactive playing! Open to all except absolute beginners. Loaner instruments available with advanced notice.
The fee for each class is $20. To register, call 207-236-2823.
Course for Seniors: Bob Dylan - Nobel Laureate
Mondays from 9:30 to 11:30 am for 6 Weeks Beginning March 24 | Hammer Hall
In light of renewed interest in Bob Dylan following the release of the film A Complete Unknown, this course was developed to take a deeper look into Dylan's life and work. It will hone in on his music and poetry, exploring many questions: Did Dylan deserve the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature? Was he truly the spokesperson for his generation? Millions answer "yes" to both, One person who doesn't is Bob Dylan, which keeps things interesting. The course will concentrate on Dylan’s “signature songs" from the 1960s and 70s. There will also be music from other artists who cover his songs. All seniors are welcome, from studious "Dylanologists" to those who want to learn about the music and have fun.
Course instructor, Peter Reilly, has been a member and instructor at Senior College at Belfast for over 15 years. He holds a BS and MBA from Monmouth University.
Course fee: $40
Bay Chamber members ONLY may sign up by emailing susan.m@baychamber.org or calling 207-236-2823. All others should email Senior College at Belfast, info@belfastseniorcollege.org, or call 207-707-6010.
Private Instruction
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Music is a part of a complete education. To that end, we offer private lessons for all levels, from beginning to advanced. Private lessons are offered in Composition, Piano, Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, Winds, Brass, Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass. We are committed to making music education affordable and accessible to all through our scholarship program.
Please note, participation in our chamber music program depends on availability of participants and coaches and scheduling compatibility. Please fill out the form to let us know you are interested in participating in the Fall semester and we will follow up.
Chamber Music
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Chamber music is at the core of all that Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School stands for. The Chamber Music Program offers participants the opportunity to play in small ensemble settings such as trios, quartets and quintets. Interested musicians of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate.
Chamber Music classes are offered to students who are fully enrolled in private lessons for $100 per semester. For all others, please view our Music School Policies.
Jazz Ensemble
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Explore jazz in a fun supportive environment by using simple jazz/blues tunes to learn the key components of jazz, rhythm, harmony, melody, improvisation and group interplay. Come to learn what jazz is all about or to expand your existing knowledge. Tuesdays from 6-7:30PM. FEE: Free for fully enrolled students or $195 for 13-week session. Participation is limited, please email susan.m@baychamber.org for more information.
Suzuki Twinklers
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The Suzuki Twinklers class is for children learning to play violin using the Suzuki method. Recommended for students currently in Suzuki Book 1 who have learned to play "Twinkle." Children will learn to play with other children, develop musical and technical skills, and play fun musical games. Please email susan.m@baychamber.org for more information.
Youth Choir & Youth Choir Intensive
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Youth Choir with Sierra Lary
This one-hour class focuses on the fundamentals of singing and choral singing, as well as rhythm and ear training. Pieces will include rounds, partner songs, and unison songs, featuring a range of musical styles from American folk songs, songs from popular musicals, and world music. No music reading required. Mondays from 3:30-4:30PM. Ages 7-12 welcome. FEE: $180 for 12-week session
Choral Intensive with Sierra Lary
The choral intensive is a 30-minute addition to our Youth Choir class for more advanced singers, ages 7-12. We will learn pieces in 2- and 3-part harmony and expand on the concepts taught in the first hour of class. Familiarity with basic music reading is required. Exceptions may be considered according to the instructor’s discretion. Children must be part of the Youth Choir to participate. Monday afternoons following the Youth Choir rehearsal from 4:30-5PM. FEE: $240 for 12-week session (this fee includes the Youth Choir above).
Ukulele Ensemble
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Taught by Jeff Weinberger, this group will explore many styles of music in arrangements that allow for very simple parts to fairly complex ones. It all depends on your comfort level. The goal is to learn some basic ensemble playing skills, rehearse a diverse repertoire and at the end, give a performance for family and friends. All levels of proficiency and types of ukulele are welcome. No audition necessary.
Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30PM. FEE: $15/week for a 6 week session. Please email susan.m@baychamber.org for more information.
Fingerstyle Ukulele Class
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Taught by Jeff Weinberger, we explore proper right hand technique and then have fun exploring several styles using this skill set. We’ll cover essential picking patterns as well as how to apply them to some actual songs, from simple folk songs to sophisticated classical pieces. Mondays from 6:15-7:15PM. FEE: $150 for 10-week session. Please email susan.m@baychamber.org for more information.
Recording 101
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This 10-week course covers the basics of sound engineering including microphone selection, setting levels, mixing and track editing. Students will learn everything needed to create a professional sounding recording of any musical genre! This class is team-taught by Mike Whitehead and Nate Martin. Thursdays from 6-7PM. FEE: $150 for 10-week session. Please email susan.m@baychamber.org for more information.
Songwriting for Everyone
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Explore songwriting in a safe supportive environment with instructor Mike Whitehead. Tap into your own inner songwriter! Learn techniques for uncovering the song writer in you. 10-week session, Mondays from 6-7PM, beginning February 3. FEE: $15/week ($150 for the semester) Please email susan.m@baychamber.org for more information.
Classical Guitar Ensemble
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Led by Jeff Rojo, the Guitar Ensemble welcomes classical guitar players looking to improve their sight reading, technique, and musicality while exploring repertoire that covers music from the Renaissance to the present day in a group setting. Participants are expected to have experience reading music and basic understanding of scales and arpeggios. Please email susan.m@baychamber.org for more information.
Bay Chamber Music School’s programming is made possible, in part, with support from the Maine Arts Commission.
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Now accepting new student applications for the Summer 2024 Semester.