"Whether you are a budding music producer, a child who loves to sing, or a part of the nation’s ukulele craze, Bay Chamber Music School has a group class for you," said Bay Chamber, in a news release. "Opportunities abound. Learn to play in a jazz ensemble. Try your hand at track mixing. Check out Youth Choir and Beginning Orchestra for the junior music lovers in your life. Come join us. Your musical evolution is Bay Chamber’s passion." 

Bay Chamber Music School also offers private lessons with accomplished faculty members. The school offers instruction in strings, voice, percussion, guitar, ukelele, flute and trumpet. To sign up for classes, go to https://baychamber.org/ programs. To inquire about private lessons, fill out an interest form at https://baychamber.asapconnected.com/#PrivateLessons.

Spring Classes: 

Ukulele Intensive with Jeffery Weinberger

This deep dive into ukulele is designed to take the confident beginner or intermediate player to a higher level of proficiency and enrichment. By studying right- and left-hand techniques, good practice habits, music theory and fretboard knowledge, we will plan a strategy together for you to improve your playing in an efficient, yet fun program. Mondays from 6: 15 to 7:15 pm. Fee: $180 for 12-week session. Begins Monday, February 2 in Hammer Hall 

Youth Choir with Sierra Lary

This one-hour class focuses on the fundamentals of singing and choral singing. Songs will be sung in unison and will feature a variety of musical styles from American folk songs, musical theater, and world music. No music reading is required. Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Ages 7 to12 welcome. FEE: $180 for 12-week session. Begins Monday, February 2 in Hammer Hall. 

Choral Intensive with Sierra Lary

The choral intensive is a 30-minute addition to our Youth Choir class for more advanced singers, ages 7to 12. Songs will be learned in two-part harmony, and introductory rhythm and solfege techniques will also be taught. Familiarity with basic music reading is highly encouraged but not required. Children must be part of the Youth Choir to participate. Monday afternoons following the Youth Choir rehearsal from 4:30 to 5 pm. FEE: $240 for 12-week session (this fee includes the Youth Choir above). Begins Monday, February 2 in Hammer Hall. 

Jazz Ensemble

Explore jazz in a fun supportive environment by using simple jazz/blues tunes to learn the key components of jazz, rhythm, harmony, melody, improvisation and group interplay. Come to learn what jazz is all about or to expand your existing knowledge. Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 pm. FEE: $195 for 13-week session for fully enrolled students. FEE: $260 for 13-week session, for partially enrolled students. Begins Tuesday, February 3 in Hammer Hall. Participation is limited. Call 207-236-2823 for more information. 

Recording 101

This 10-week course covers the basics of sound engineering including microphone selection, setting levels, mixing and track editing. Students will learn everything needed to create a professional-sounding recording of any musical genre! This class is team taught by Mike Whitehead and Nate Martin. Thursdays from 5 to 6 pm.  FEE: $150 for 10-week session. Begins Thursday, February 26. 

Beginning String Orchestra with Sarah Glenn

In this ensemble, we will learn music with multiple parts. Students should be at the end of Suzuki Book 1 or beyond, or at a similar level, and should be learning music primarily by note reading. All string instruments are welcome! Tuesdays from 5-6PM. FEE: $180 for 12-week session. Students must be enrolled in private lessons to participate We will play a variety of music including classical, fiddle and some popular music. Tuesdays from 5 to 6 pm. FEE: $180 for 12 weeks. Begins Tuesday, January 2. 

Classical Guitar Ensemble with Jeff Rofo

The Guitar Ensemble welcomes classical guitar players looking to improve their sight reading, technique, and musicality while exploring repertoire that covers music from the Renaissance to the present day in a group setting. Participants are expected to have experience reading music and basic understanding of scales and arpeggios. Call 207-236-2823 for more information. 

Workshops 

Beginning Ukulele Workshop with Jeffery Weinberger

Ukulele is among the happiest and most accessible of all instruments. Once a few chords are learned, a simple strum or two mastered, the beginning ukelele player can easily learn hundreds of songs. Jeff will teach the basics such as holding the instrument, tuning it, strumming, and picking. Ages 10 and up are welcome. Loaner instruments available with advance notice. Saturday, February 7 from 10:30 am to noon. Fee is $20. 

Guitar Melody, Scales and Improvisation with Jeffery Weinberger

In this workshop, we’ll explore the melodic aspects of the guitar. A heightened awareness of the fretboard along with some tips on playing lyrically and phrasing in an expressive manner. We’ll also look at scales and incorporate sounds from the folksy to the way out!

On Saturday, March 7 from 10:30 am to noon. Fee is $20 

Bay Chamber Concerts & Music School is a nationally acclaimed chamber music organization and a cultural hub in Midcoast Maine. Bay Chamber presents more than 50 concerts each year by top musicians from the US and abroad, including traditional chamber music ensembles, soloists, and small groups from diverse traditions. Its Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award is recognized nationally as a top prize for piano. The music school is a center of excellence staffed by experienced, dedicated instructors with advanced music degrees. Most continue to perform professionally. More than 370 students participate in lessons and ensemble classes at Bay Chamber.