Youth

YOUTH PROGRAM
(Ages 6-18)

We’re excited to play music with you, both in-person and online! Please make sure to note the location of the class(es) you’re interested in.

Fall Session Begins September 1st, 2020
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.

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

ABOUT DISCOVERY

Fiddle, Ukulele, Piano, 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 ([email protected]), 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 ([email protected]) 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

Guitar III (Ages 9-12) AT 317 Main

Monday/ 5 p.m. -5:55 p.m. with 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 for 13 weeks)

Flight Training (Tweens/Teens) at 317 Main

7:15-p.m. – 8:15 p.m. / Led by Carter Logan

This is the minor league training team for the advanced teen bluegrass/acoustic ensemble. Flight Training members will work on ensemble, arrangement, solo, rhythm, and repertoire building. The group will have the opportunity to perform periodically for the community. Open to fiddle, guitar, banjo, dobro, bass, mandolin players with experience. Admission by permission of the instructor, please contact the registrar at 846-9559 if you are interested in becoming a member. ($260 for 13 weeks)

TUESDAY

Cukes (317 Main Ukulele Group) at First Parish Congregational Church (Older Teens and Up)
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)

Discovery Voice (Ages 6-9) ONLINE
Tuesday / 4 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. / Taught by Mesa Schubeck

In this fun and supportive class, Mesa introduces kids, ages 6 through 9, to singing fundamentals and breath control. Singers work on ear training and pitch accuracy mostly using solfege repertoire drawn from folk and pop tunes.

Discovery Ukulele (Ages 6-9) at 317 Main

Tuesday / 5 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. / Taught by Carter Logan

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 – and you’ll have playing along to songs you know. Students must have access to a ukulele and come with a desire to learn.

Blues Ensemble (Older Teens & Adults) ONLINE
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)

Girl Power Vocal Group (Ages 9-12) at First Parish Congregational Church

Tuesday/ 6:30 p.m. – 7:25 p.m. / Taught by Diana Hansen

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. ($260/ 13-weeks)

WEDNESDAY

Discovery Fiddle (Ages 6-9) at 317 Main

Wednesday / 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.

Intermediate Youth Fiddle

Wednesday/ 4:00-4:55pm with Ellen Gawler

(By permission of the instructor)

Flight 317 (Teen Auditioned Group) at 317 Main

Wednesday / 7 p.m. – 8:25 p.m. / Led by Carter Logan

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. Admission by permission of instructor. If you are interested in being a member of Flight 317, please contact the registrar at 846-9559 for more information.

THURSDAY

Discovery Piano at 317 Main

Thursday/ 5 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. with Abby Curtis

($218/12-week session)

FRIDAY

Discovery Piano at 317 Main

Friday/ 5 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. with Abby Curtis

($218/12-week session)

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.

“At 317 Main we welcome and strive to meet every student right where they are in the their musical journey. Regardless of age or experience, our approach to music education reflects our mission-based values: to provide students with a fun and productive learning experience in a friendly and authentic community setting.”

-Chris Moore, Director of Music Education