ABOUT DISCOVERY
Fiddle, Ukulele and Voice are a great way for young students to get started with instrumental and vocal instruction. In our Discovery classes, we incorporate and build on our Little Roots classes. These group classes are designed for beginners who are ready to focus on a specific musical discipline. Our teachers promote a positive balance between keeping things fun in the group and the importance of making a manageable commitment to regular practice every week between meetings. Prerequisites: Little Roots Explorer classes are helpful but not mandatory.
TEENS
Playing music together in an ensemble is an important – and super-fun – part of progressing as a student musician. Once we have developed a good foundation and range of skills on our instrument, there is a whole new world to be discovered as we learn how to relate to others in a musical way. In an ensemble, we learn about rhythm, soloing, improvisation, listening, arranging, singing, dynamics, repertoire, and much more.
The teen years are a great time to stretch out and explore group dynamics, both because teens have the instrumental ‘chops’, and because the ensemble experience can offer such rich social connections. Teen ensemble options this year at 317 Main, include: auditioned, teaching artist selected groups, such as Flight 317; Flight Training (the minor league team of Flight 317); coached Teen Ensemble groups on several days, and; genre-focused groups, such as the Blues Ensemble, Cajun Ensemble, and drop-in jams, open to teens & adults.
If you are or know a teen musician who is ready to be in a group, please contact director of music education Chris Moore (chris@317main.org), and he can connect you with a group opportunity that’s right for you.
CUSTOM GROUP
Do you and 2 or more friends love a particular genre or artist/band? Talk to our Music Education Director Chris Moore (chris@317main.org) and we’ll see if can get a custom group up and running depending on the availability of our teaching artists. We love to hear your creative ideas!
MONDAY
Discovery Fiddle/Violin I (Ages 6-9)
Monday / 4:00-5:00pm/Taught by Maggie Robinson
This group class is designed to provide younger 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. (Continuing group. Admission by permission of instructor.)($220)
Monday / 5:00-5:55pm/Taught by Sorcha Cribben-Merrill
This group class is for guitar students who have some previous guitar instruction. Students should know how to tune and hold the instrument, are familiar with G,C,D,E,A, and F chords and know several basic strumming patterns. (Continuing group. By permission of the instructor.)($220)
This ensemble looks at successful women vocalists such as Adele, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and their powerful songs. Come and sing! We will explore our voices, create fun moves, harmonize, and perform in a lively group setting. ($220)
Acoustic Beatles Ensemble (Older teens & Adults)
Monday / 6:30 p.m. – 7:25 p.m. / Taught by Steve Roy
What could be better than spending an hour every week playing, singing, and arranging 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! ($220)
Flight Training (Tweens/Teens)
TUESDAY
Beginning Guitar I (Ages 9-Teen)
Tuesday / 4:00 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. / Taught by Mitch Reed
So you want to get started on the guitar. This is a beginning class for students who have never played before or have explored a little bit on their own and are ready for some real instruction. Class members will study tuning, guitar setup, correct posture, basic strums, and more – all as applied to some simple, fun tunes. Don’t wait any longer to get started! ($220)
Discovery Voice (Ages 6-9)
Tuesday / 4:00-4:55pm/Taught by Mesa Schubeck
Blues Ensemble (Older Teens & Adults)
Tuesday / 6:30 p.m. – 7:25 p.m. / Taught by Mitch Reed
The blues is at the core of all American roots music, and developing a working understanding of the form can be useful in many ways for the student musician. In this class/ensemble, multi-instrumentalist Mitch Reed will begin by teaching 3-chord progressions in a variety of keys, as well as how to apply this musical vocabulary in an ensemble setting. The group will explore genres that incorporate – and were influenced by – the blues, such as rock ’n’ roll, folk, country, and more. Developing skills in rhythm playing, soloing, and improvising will all be in the mix. All instruments and abilities are welcome. ($220)
Bluegrass Jam (Older teens & Adults)
Tuesday / 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m./ Taught by Lincoln Meyers
Open to bluegrass players at all levels – guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, dobro, bass, singers – join Lincoln as he calls the tunes, posts the charts, and leads the group (at a manageable speed) through the great repertoire of tunes and songs from the bluegrass tradition. ($5 drop-in)
WEDNESDAY
Discovery Fiddle/Violin I (Ages 6-9)
Wednesday / 4:00-4:55pm/Taught by Maggie Robinson
This group class is designed to provide younger 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. (Continuing group. Admission by permission of instructor.)($220)
Flight 317 is 317 Main’s advanced teen bluegrass/acoustic ensemble. The group maintains a rigorous rehearsal schedule and represents 317 Main with performances in the community throughout the year. If you are interested in being a member of Flight 317, please contact the registrar at 846-9559 for more information. ($360)
THURSDAY
Thursday / 6:30 p.m. – 7:25 p.m. / Led by Mitch Reed
If you enjoy playing folk and country music, take the next step and learn what it’s like to be in a Cajun band. In this class, we’ll explore traditional instruments, basic chords, and simple changes in a fun and relaxed environment. Cajun music is traditionally “front porch music”, played with family and friends once everyone is done with work and ready to relax. It’s perfect for folks looking to learn by ear and even better for those who are ready to explore a new genre. Guitarists, fiddlers, bassists, vocalists, percussionists, accordion players, and folks looking to learn these instruments are all welcome to join. Open to players of all abilities and ages, from novice to advanced. Teens and adults. ($220)
317 LOCAL VOCALS (High school and adult)
Thursday / 6:30-7:55pm/Directed by Jeff Christmas
The 317 Local Vocals are open to enthusiastic singers of all experience levels. We will explore a broad repertoire including American folk and gospel music, traditional music from around the world, jazz/theatre standards, pop, and more. The group will work towards a performance at the end of each semester showcasing the unique talents of its members in both a cappella and accompanied vocal styles. Taught by the dynamic and experienced choral director Jeff Christmas, singers will learn about 2, 3, and 4-part harmonies, individual and group singing techniques, ear training, and more. Open to Grades 9-12 and Adults, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience the joy of singing together as one voice.($80)
FRIDAY
Discovery Fiddle (Ages 6-9)
Monday / 4 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. / Taught by Maggie Robinson
This group class is designed to provide younger 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. Continuing group. Admission by permission of instructor. ($220)