YOUTH PROGRAM
(Ages 6-18)
Winter Session Begins December 9th, 2019
Financial Aid is available. Call our Front Desk 846-9559 to learn more.
Learning music in a group setting can be motivating and fun for kids and teens. 317 Main’s Youth Program includes DISCOVERY classes (ages 6-9) for beginning students who want to develop music skills on a particular instrument. We also offer mixed age classes, vocal groups, custom groups, private lessons and semi private lessons.
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. Our Little Roots Explorer series is a great way to prepare for the Discovery classes.
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 (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. ($260)
Beginning Guitar 3 (Age 9-Teen)
Monday / 5 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. / 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 class. New students by permission of instructor.) ($260)
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.
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! ($260)
Flight Training (Tweens/Teens)
TUESDAY
Beginning Guitar I (Age 9-Teen)
Discovery Voice (Ages 6-9)
Tuesday / 4 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. / Taught by Mesa Schubeck
Tuesday / 5:00 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. / Taught by Sorcha Cribben-Merrill-Merrill
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. ($260)
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
Wednesday / 6 p.m. – 6:55 p.m. / Taught by John McCain
THURSDAY
Thursday / 5:30 p.m. – 6:25 p.m. / Taught by Mitch Reed
If you play an instrument (guitar, ukulele, bass, drums, keyboard, brass, etc) and/or sing and you are looking to get more experience playing with other like-minded musicians, the 317 Teen Ensemble is for you! 317 Main teaching artist and group coach Mitch Reed will work with the band to find engaging material and will focus on group dynamics, arranging, solos, rhythm, repertoire building, and more! ($260)
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. ($260)
Thursday / 6:30 p.m. – 7:55 p.m. (Grades 9-12 and Adults)/ Led 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. ($260)
DIDN’T FIND WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR?
Is there an instrument or a genre you’re interested in but isn’t listed? Maybe you’d like to use our Contact Form to connect with Chris Moore, Director of Music Education with your questions and suggestions.
