Recreate the immortal music of the Beatles while developing essential skills for ensemble playing! In preparation for performance the class will rehearse songs from the Beatles’ storied repertoire and explore the riffs, licks, and songwriting that defined a generation. All instruments are welcome as we conjure our inner John, Paul, George, and Ringo!
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Voice, woodwinds, brass, strings, guitar, drumset/percussion, piano
Musical Styles: Pop, rock, classical
Prerequisites: Players should have a minimum of two years of instrument study
Class size: 3–6 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Thursdays, 7:30–9:00pm
Instructor: Sandy Brassard
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks), $418 Winter (11 weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks), $304 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Develop ensemble skills, such as soloing and accompanying, while you build a repertoire of songs to prepare for performances. This workshop will cover chords, progressions, licks, standard blues grooves, and scales found in a variety of blues styles
Ages: Adults and older teens (high school students)
Instruments: All and voice
Musical Styles: The music of the “Three Kings:” B.B., Albert, and Freddie, as well as: Jimmy Reed, Magic Sam, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and other blues masters
Prerequisites: This workshop is centered around the guitar but is open to other instruments, too. Basic knowledge of chords and some playing experience is required.
Class size: 2–5 students
Location, Days and Times: Mission District Branch,
Wednesday, 8:45–9:45pm
Instructor: Larry Dunn
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks), $456 Winter (12 weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks), $304 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
This ensemble will meet four Saturdays per quarter. The class explores universal techniques of and approaches to Indian rhythm with a focus on the ancient South Indian Carnatic tradition. Gain hands-on experience playing several traditional instruments, including the pitched mridangam, khanjira frame drum, ghatam clay jug drum, and konakkol, a unique system of vocal percussion.
Ages: All
Instruments: Mridangam (double-sided pitched drum), khanjira (frame drum), ghatam (clay jug drum), konnakol vocal percussion (beat boxing). Open to singers and instrumentalists. Bring your instrument if you have one!
Musical Styles: Hand drumming; Indian rhythmic improvisation and composition; adapting traditional techniques to other instruments and across genres
Prerequisites: None
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch,
*This class will not meet Winter Quarter 2020
Instructor: Dr. Rohan Krishnamurthy
Tuition: $114 Summer (3 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Learn to play the exciting music of the Middle East, Turkey and Eastern Europe including Klezmer and Balkan styles. We will study Arabic music scale systems and maqams in the context of selected tunes. Improvisations (taqsims/preludes/doinas) will be approached according to traditional practices. There will be an annual performance in December.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Traditional or Western strings, winds, keyboard, hand percussion, voice
Musical Styles: Middle Eastern, Turkish, Eastern European
Prerequisites: For intermediate to advanced players. Students new to this style of music are encouraged to take private lessons with the instructor prior to joining the ensemble.
Class size: 2–5 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch (off-site), TBA
Instructor: Shirley Wong-Frentzel
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks), $456 Winter (12 weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks). Class does not meet during the summer.
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
*This class will not meet Winter Quarter 2020
Come on all you fiddle, banjo, guitar, and mandolin players. Learn some traditional fiddle tunes in an informal setting. Old-time music is the unique blend of Scotch-Irish, African, and Native American music that forms the roots of bluegrass and other American string band styles. This class is geared towards people who have never played old-time music before but have some ability on their instrument, and interest in the style. Though this music is traditionally taught by ear, we will provide some charts and a certain amount of instrument specific instruction as a way to attune your ears and instruments to the groove of old-time. Tunes will be taught in a group setting, highlighting the different roles of the instruments in an old time string band.
Ages: Adults
Instruments: Guitars, banjo, fiddle, mandolin
Musical Styles: Old-time music
Prerequisites: Knowledge of your instrument and an ability to learn music by ear and/or by reading music.
Class size: 4–10 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch
Mondays, 11:30am–12:30pm
Instructor: Taught by Tregar Otton and Erik Pearson
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks), $304 Winter (8 weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks), $304 Summer Quarter (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
*This class has been cancelled for Winter Quarter 2020
This class covers the basics of how to play ukulele in a fun group class environment. Though the class is aimed at beginners, all levels are welcome! Learn chords, songs, various strums, picking patterns, and playing in rhythm while singing along. You will also learn other useful skills like how to change the key of a song and playing together as a group.
Ages: Adults and kids (elementary, middle, high school)
Instruments: Ukuleles
Musical Styles: Various and responsive to student interest
Class size: 2-12 students
Prerequisites: No playing experience necessary, but you’ll need to bring your own ukulele
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Saturdays, 3:30–5:00pm
Instructor: Sandy Brassard
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks); $456 Winter (12 weeks); $380 Spring (10 weeks), $304 Summer Quarter (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Have uke, will travel! Ukulele is one of the most portable instruments, so grab your instrument and join us for a beginner’s course on how to play ukulele in a relaxed group setting. This class will cover the principles playing chords, strum patterns, songs, and some basic note reading so you can play along with anyone, anywhere.
Ages: Adults
Instruments: Ukuleles
Musical Styles: Various and responsive to student interest
Class size: 8 students
Prerequisites: No playing experience necessary, but you’ll need to bring your own ukulele
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Wednesdays, 8:15– 9:15pm
Instructor: Erik Pearson
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks); $380 Winter (10 weeks); $380 Spring (10 weeks), $304 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
If you’d like to be matched with other students in a small music ensemble or receive coaching for an existing group, please fill out a Chamber Music Inquiry Form.
