Deep Roots

DEEP ROOTS
(AGES 55+)

Fall Session Begins September 1st, 2020

Classes will be held both online and at 317 Main. Please note to location of your class(es).

Call our Front Desk 846-9559 for class availability

Are you ready to reconnect with a once-loved instrument, dig into your favorite genre with fellow music lovers, or try something you’ve never done before?

317 Main Community Music Center in Yarmouth, Maine, looks forward to making music with you. Our Deep Roots programming caters to music lovers ages 55+. Deep Roots are, of course, welcome in any adult class, but classes with the Deep Roots designation cater specifically to older musicians and are likely to include more older musicians.

There is a non-refundable annual registration fee of $25 per person or $40 per family, renewable each year and to be paid at the time of registration.

Are you more interested in taking private or semi-private lessons? Great. Click here.

MONDAY

Deep Roots Ukulele (55+) ONLINE

Monday / 1 p.m. – 1:55 p.m. / Taught by Steve Roy

Join the craze that is sweeping the nation from kindergarten classrooms to pop stars – the Uke! You will be playing basic chords and simple melodies in no time. This is one of the hippest and easiest instruments to learn – you will be the life of the party and your friends will want to join you! Students must have access to a ukulele, a knowledge of basic chords and come with a desire to learn. ($195/13-week session)

Beatles Jam-Along (Ages 18+) ONLINE

Monday/ 6 p.m. – 6:55 p.m. online with Steve Roy

What could be better than spending an hour every week playing and singing your favorite Beatles songs? Taught by your resident Fab Four aficionado Steve Roy – this group will have fun exploring the unrivaled song catalog of the greatest rock band of our time. Whether you’re a mop-top or psychedelic-era enthusiast, an instrumentalist, vocalist, or all of the above – a splendid time is guaranteed for all! Prerequisites: Open to experienced beginners who are familiar with their instruments to advanced singers and instrumentalists. Any acoustic instrument is welcome!

Songwriting (Adults) ONLINE
Monday / 6 p.m. – 6:55 p.m / Taught by Chris Moore

Are you a budding or experienced songwriter looking to dedicate more time to develop your skills of the craft? In this group class, with other songwriters, 317 TA Chris Moore will share a variety of tools, tips, and techniques that you can apply to all steps of the creative songwriting process. From initial inspiration to finished product, melody to lyrics, genre to style, process, editing, arrangement – you will come away with lots of new ideas you can use throughout your songwriting career. Participants will work on weekly assignments and will have an opportunity to share their work regularly with the group. Open to new and experienced songwriters. ($220)

TUESDAY

Cukes (317 Main Ukulele Group) at First Parish Congregational Church
Tuesday / 9:15 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. / Taught by Nina Miller

Do you love playing your uke? Do you want to make a difference in the community? Then the Cukes (Community ukes) is for you. We’ll work on learning a simple repertoire with the goal of performing at local assisted-living facilities, rehab and memory care centers, and nursing homes. All you need is knowledge of basic ukulele chords and a desire to learn, play, and perform. ($195/ 13-weeks)

Deep Roots Fiddle 1 (55+) at 317 Main

Tuesday / 1 p.m. – 1:55 p.m. / Taught by Maggie Robinson

This group class is designed to provide adult beginners with an excellent introduction to the fiddle/violin in a supportive and fun environment. Students will be playing simple tunes in no time, learning basic bowing and fingering techniques that will build a strong foundation for the beginning violinist. Students bring their own instruments. ($195/ 13-weeks)

Deep Roots Fiddle 2 (55+) at 317 Main

Tuesday / 2:30 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. / Taught by Maggie Robinson

($195/ 13-weeks)

Bluegrass Ensemble (Adults) AT 317 Main

Tuesday / 6 p.m. – 6:55 p.m. / Taught by Lincoln Meyers

If you are an intermediate or advanced beginner, can play a handful of bluegrass tunes and are not scared off by the high lonesome sound, then this bluegrass ensemble is for you. In this group class, students will work on classic material while learning the ins and outs of playing in a bluegrass band such as taking and accompanying solos, kicking off tunes, and harmony singing. ($260/ 13-weeks)

WEDNESDAY

Showerheads (Women only) ONLINE

Wednesday / 10 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. / Taught by Kathy Slack

Now’s your chance to exercise those vocal pipes outside of the shower! With a primary emphasis on having fun in a safe, positive, and supportive environment, the group will learn about singing basics starting with proper and healthy vocal technique. The importance of adapting to various singing styles will be emphasized as well as understanding the many facets of vocal production. We might also get to use a microphone! Singing as a group with the option of a solo will be included, so feel free to come to class with your favorite song(s) to share. Open to all levels, though beginners are especially welcome! ($195/ 13-weeks)

Everyone is welcome in the English Country Dance Circle

English Country Dancing ON HIATUS
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. /Caller Robb Spivey with live music
At First Parish Church in the Fellowship Hall, 116 Main Street Yarmouth
Starts 4/8/2020

Now entering its 5th year at 317 Main, English Country Dance class, taught by Dancing Master Robb Spivey with live music, is a great way to make new friends while learning a social dance form that has been delighting communities since at least 1651!

You say you’ve never heard of English Country Dancing? You’re in good company. If you’ve seen Pride and Prejudice, Emma, or Sense and Sensibility at the movies, you have indeed seen it! Fear not, English Country Dancing (ECD) is not some obscure relic! While this traditional form of group dance has been around for several hundred years, it’s still thriving today. Most of the movements are simply based on a walking or skipping step. Dancers move in a number of specific “figures” sometimes holding hands, sometimes by themselves. Each dance will be taught and prompted by a “caller” and every movement is called in time with the music. Beginners are welcome and encouraged – and partners are not necessary. And then there’s the music – beautiful tunes that will make the heart swell – sometimes sweet, sometimes stately, and sometimes absolutely driven with a pulsating beat. All of this combines to make ECD energizing, mesmerizing, social, and just plain fun! Come join us! ($100 for 11-week session or $12/ drop-in )

THURSDAY

Deep Roots Folk/Americana Ensemble (55+) at First Parish Congregational Church

Thursday / 10 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. / Led by Jeff Christmas

The American folk-music revival was a phenomenon in the United States that began during the 1940s and peaked in popularity in the mid-1960s. Some notable performers of the genre included Josh White, Burl Ives, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Big Bill Broonzy, Jean Ritchie, John Jacob Niles, Paul Robeson, Cisco Houston, and others. The revival brought forward styles of American folk music into the popular mainstream with artists such as Peter, Paul and Mary, The Kingston Trio, The Weavers, Odetta, Harry Belafonte, and others. More recent artists folk repertoire also find itself in the mix, based on the interests of participants.This ensemble is open to all singers and instrumentalists (55+) who would like explore this rich repertoire in a group setting with other folk enthusiasts.($195/13-week session)

Deep Roots Folk/Americana Ensemble (55+) at First Parish Congregational Church

Thursday / 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. / Led by Jeff Christmas

Deep Roots Folk/Americana Ensemble (55+) at First Parish Congregational Church

Thursday / 1:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. / Led by Jeff Christmas

Wabacs (Adult Folk-Rock Ensemble) Location TBD

Thursday / 6:30 p.m. – 7:25 p.m. / Led by Conor Linehan

This ensemble is full.

FRIDAY

Private Lessons ONLINE
Available in 14 instruments including voice 6 days a week

Would you prefer to take a private or semi-private lesson? Click here for details.

Want to get a custom group going? Please contact our Music Education Director Chris Moore at [email protected]

“317 Main is my happy place!”

–Barbara Atherton (middle)
Folk Revival Ensemble Member & Mandolin Student

Curious Little Roots and grandmother seeing what Chris Moore’s mandolin can do.

The Wayback Machine harmonizing during a cafe performance for friends and family.

The members of Unspent Youth all smiles after a performance at Make Music Portland.

“What I love about this place is that I’m 70 years old. I come here and I’m learning new stuff all the time!”

-Jim Atherton
Folk Revival Ensemble Member & Banjo Student