summer 2010
PRIVATE LESSONS
The 2010 Summer Term runs from June 28 through August 20. Most of our instructors will be teaching during at least some of those weeks, and we will be happy to arrange for you to continue lessons through the summer. Call the Business Office with your summer calendar in hand and tell us which weeks you would like to arrange lessons -- you may sign up for any number. If your summer plans change, please call us with at least a week’s notice to reschedule an arranged lesson or you will be responsible for paying for it.
If your regular instructor is away, you may continue lessons with another teacher. Even a few lessons during the summer will help students stay on track. Our regular private lesson fees apply.
SPECIAL SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
Community Music School is a very lively place in the summer! We’re planning a wide variety of programs and special events for children, teens and adults alike. Some are proven successes from past years, and others are brand new offerings sure to entice you. You'll add a new dimension to your musical education with supplementary classes and ensembles.
Registration begins on Monday, March 1, by telephone, email or in person. No early-birds allowed! Deposits will be required for group programs, and are not refundable. Full payment for group programs is due by May 1 (except Broadway Bound, which requires full payment at registration). Waiting lists will be kept where required. Cancellation policy: Deposits paid at the time of registration are non-refundable, and there is a 50% penalty for any cancellations after May 3. There will be no refund for cancellations received after June 1.
Broadway Bound - Our Ninth Year!
Our most popular programs every summer are our 2-week musical theater workshops for children ages 8-14. The cast size is limited to 36 kids, with parts for all. This program is offered in cooperation with the Westbrook Recreation Department, with daily rehearsals at Westbrook High School from 9:00-3:00. On the last day, we’ll invite your families and friends to the free performance at 7:00 pm. Due to popularity, we limit initial registration to one choice only, although you may sign up for the waiting list for the other show if you like. The price includes a cast t-shirt and a pizza lunch on the day of the show.
Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr. ( FILLED) Directed by Shari Wilcox
July 12-23 9:00-3:00 daily Ages 8-14 $295
Taking place in New York City in 1922, this show tells the story of young
Millie Dillmount, who has just moved to the city in search of a new life for
herself. It’s a New York full of intrigue and jazz – a time when women were
entering the workforce and the rules of love and social behavior were
changing forever. Can you dance the Charleston? Performance 7/23.Annie, Jr. (FILLED) Directed by Joni Gage
July 26 – Aug 6 9:00-3:00 daily Ages 8-14 $295
The story, songs and characters you already love come to life in this junior version of the Broadway classic. Annie, the Orphans, Miss Hannigan, Daddy Warbucks, President Roosevelt, and even Sandy the dog will all be in the spotlight. There are plenty of roles for both girls and boys! Performance 8/6.
Broadway Beginners - Two Young Children’s Musicals
Are the 4-8 year olds at your house ready for the stage? Then these classes are perfect for them! These one-week programs of songs, speaking parts to memorize and imaginary role-playing are sure to delight both the children and the audience. We’ll end each week with performances on the last days at 1:30 pm. Limited to 10 children each.
Bugz! (FILLED) Directed by Nancy Thomas
July 26-30 9:30-11:30 daily Ages 4-8 $150
There's going to be a picnic and everyone is pitchin' in...the Lady Bugs are in charge of proper etiquette, the Army Ants will handle security, the Fireflies are in charge of lighting, and entertainment will be provided by the Bumble Bees. Looks like everything is set! But what's this?!! The Stink Bug wants to come too! Buzz on over to the country-style hoedown and help the critters rescue the party! Performance July 30.Circus, Circus Directed by Nancy Thomas
August 16-20 9:30-11:30 daily Ages 4-8 $150
The Circus is in town and there's excitement in the air! But wait -- the Ringmaster has come down with a case of laryngitis and they need to find a substitute, fast! Join the clowns, jugglers, dancing bears, lions and a host of other hilarious performers as they help one very sad clown smile again. Performance August 20.
Studio 15 --a five day program for children in grades 1-6
July 12-16 $135 per week
Grades 1, 2, and 3 9:30-12:00 daily
Grades 4, 5 and 6 12:30-3:00 daily
This summer program will pique your childs imagination and feed their natural love of music. Our CMS faculty members have prepared a variety of programs with musical themes – each day, there will be a different topic with a different CMS faculty member. Each session’s program will include a variety of fun and engaging hands-on activities. Your child is sure to enjoy these programs.
Mad Musical Scientists Christine Coyle
Monday, 9:30am-12pm; 12:30-3pm
Have fun learning about the Science of Sound. What is sound/music? Learn about sound waves by conducting experiments. We will even get to build our own instruments.Jug Band Martha Herrle
Tuesday, 9:30am-12pm
We will learn about early American music through singing, making our own rhythm and melody instruments, and contra dance. Swing your partner!
Rhythms of the World Tom Briggs
Tuesday, 12:30-3pm
Rhythms of the World workshop will cover the basics of rhythm, counting and clapping, and then explore the many world percussion instruments. The focus will be group performance using hand percussion instruments from many countries including Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Turkey, Brazil, and others.
Students will develop an understanding of various hand drum and percussion techniques and experience the joy of spirited group performance.Summer Songs Nancy Thomas
Wednesday, 9:30-12pm; 12:30-3pm
Songs, rhymes, chants and poems; movement, instrument playing, instrument making, props and puppets! Let’s sing, move, and play to favorite folk songs and camp songs. Our song list will include favorites like “One Bottle of Pop,” “Pass the Spoon,” “Make New Friends” and more!The Instruments' Family Tree Chantal Hovendick
Thursday, 9:30am-12pm; 12:30-3pm
An introduction of the various categories or 'families' of instruments—strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion. Using both a picture of the instruments and a listening example, we will see what instruments fit into each category. For the younger children, we can see how they are related into families (for example, the double Bass is the Grandpa of the string section) and see where the families go to play---in the orchestra, band, jazz ensemble.Jungle Fever Joni Gage
Friday, 9:30am-12pm; 12:30pm-3pm
Experience the magic and excitement of the jungle and its creatures through music! Captivating rhythmic songs and chants, movement and innovative crafts to bring the jungle sounds to your summer!
Drum Day
July 19 9:00-2:00 Ages 8-12 Tom Briggs $75
Here’s an opportunity for beginners to try their hand at drum lessons. You’ll be introduced to all of the basics of drumming: grip, stick technique and strokes, rolls, reading, counting, tuning and maintenance, drum set performance. Please bring your lunch.
Jazz in July
July 6-9 9:30-11:30 am Grades 6 and up Tom Briggs, instructor $150
This one-week performing jazz ensemble program for students age 10-16 will focus on improvisation techniques, proper counting, jazz rhythm and interpretation. Listening examples will introduce the important eras in the history of jazz. Mr. Briggs will arrange custom charts for each student. Sax, clarinet, flute, violin, bass, horn - all instruments welcome, although we are limited to only 1-2 keyboardists and 1-2 percussionists. We’ll end the week with a mini-concert at CMS, Friday, July 9, 4:00 PM.
Rock Week
July 12-16 6:00-8:30 pm Grades 7 and up Tom Briggs and Steve Roane, instructors $200
In this week-long intensive workshop for intermediate and advanced musicians, you’ll learn and perform some classic rock pieces. All instruments welcome. Tom Briggs will write custom arrangements for each student, and share the teaching duties with guitarist Steve Roane. We’ll end the week with a concert for family and friends.
Summer Band
Tuesdays, June 29-July 27, 4-5:30 Coached by Faculty specialists $100
New this year! Open to elementary and intermediate flute, clarinet, saxophone, brass and percussion players of all ages, participants in this exciting program will experience an ensemble class, followed by a band rehearsal each Tuesday. The finale will be a performance at the Essex Park Gazebo. All levels are welcome!
Beginning Group Piano
offered in our new digital piano lab (8 classes) Ages 8-14
Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 6-29 3:00-4:00 pm Tom Briggs $175
Digital Keyboard Lab
July 12-16 4:30-5:30 prerequisite:2 years piano Tom Briggs $75
For students with good sight-reading skills and strong keyboard technique. Focus on ensemble performance, independence of parts, and advanced keyboard technique with 3 or 4 keyboards. 3 or more years piano experience, middle school/high school.
Ukulele Workshops – Come and Strum Along!
July 29 (beginners, level 1) and August 5 (level 2) 6:30-8:30 pm Jim Beloff $20
We are delighted to have Jim Beloff (Jumpin’ Jim ukulele songbooks; The Joy Of Uke DVDs) returning this summer for these 2 workshops. Jim introduces you to the basics of playing the ukulele including holding, tuning, strumming and making the chords. We will play through a dozen well-known songs learning new chords, strums, tips and techniques along the way. Bring a GCEA-tuned uke and be ready to have a lot of fun. At the end of the workshop you will have made a new life-long friend—your ukulele! See uke there! A variety of songbooks will be available for purchase.
Chamber Music Evenings
Tuesdays, June 29-August 10, 6:30-8:00 pm Martha Herrle/Christine Coyle $16 per week
Here’s a very enjoyable way to try ensemble playing. Participants should play a string or wind instrument at an intermediate or advanced level. Throughout the summer, we’ll work on a few pieces, mentored by Martha or Chris. We promise to keep it light and fun!
All-Cello Ensemble
Mondays, June 28-August 9, 6:30-8:00 pm Christine Coyle $16 per week Min. of 4 weeks, please
Explore the rich harmonies of the cello repertoire with these multi-part arrangements. What a beautiful way to pass a summer evening! All levels welcome, even if it’s your first ensemble experience.
Scenes from Broadway
July 26-30 6:00-8:00 Grades 7-college Shari Wilcox $230
An intensive theater workshop in scene study, staging and singing. Vocal numbers will be featured in context with the original script from a variety of shows, incorporating costuming and props to "sell the scene". We’ll stage a performance on July 30th. Accompanist provided. Limited to 12 participants.
Cabaret Singers
July 5-9 6:00-8:00 Grades 7-college Shari Wilcox $175
The cabaret spotlight will be on you in solo performance. You’ll learn about the art of singing a song: stage presence, lyric interpretation, connecting with the audience, microphone technique, refining phrasing, overcoming stage fright, and communicating with the accompanist. Shari Wilcox will help you choose your song beforehand. Accompanist provided. Limited to 8 participants. Performance: July 9.
Song and Dance!
June 28-July 2 4:00-5:30 Grades 4-8 Joni Gage $150
We’ll add a little simple contemporary choreography to the choral pieces we sing as we explore the rhythmic, harmonic and melodic elements of vocal technique. Styles may include Broadway, popular, gospel and world music. Fun! We’ll end the week with a mini-concert for family and friends. Limited to 12 participants.
Summer Kindermusik Adventure Programs
5 Tuesdays: June 22, June 29, July 6, 13, and 20 Nancy Thomas
All prices include Kindermusik Home Materials
9:00-9:45 Village: Dew Drops for ages 6-18 months $95
Gentle winds, sweet-smelling flowers and glistening dew drops will delight your baby.10:00-11:00 Our Time: Zoo Train for ages 18 months-3 years $110
Tag along with the traveling zoo, and bring your own stuffed animal too!
11:00-12:00 Imagine That: On the Road for ages 3 and 4 years $110
Your child will love these imaginary trips on “Van Go”!1:00-3:00 Young Child: Adventures Around the World ages 4 and 5 years $195
An imaginary musical journey to Germany, Japan, Africa, England and MexicoTo Register for Summer Programs and Lessons, Call (860) 767-0026
Registration Opens March 1st
We reserve the right to cancel classes with insufficient enrollment, in which case deposits will be returned.