ROCKPORT — Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School is offering several new group classes this fall, including a musical exploration class for young children, guitar workshops, a jazz combo, and a ukulele class. All classes are held in the Shepherd Building at 18 Central St. in Rockport, top floor.

"Musical Exploration: Sing, Drum, Strum & Play," taught by Jessica Day, will offer 6-9 year olds the opportunity to discover music, both as listeners and musicians, in a fun and nurturing group environment. Jessica, who has run Music Together for infants and toddlers since 2008, envisions an experience where children can explore a number of different instruments in a playful and fun group setting. "It's a great complement to private lessons, or it can also be a way to introduce a child to different musical instruments," she explains. Bay Chamber's early childhood classes seek to inspire young children with a passion for music, and offer them the support and guidance of our experienced teachers. The class meets Wednesdays 1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m., or 3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m., for eight weeks beginning September 17; cost is $80.

Guitar workshops — offered both for youths 7-12 and for students 12 and older — offer an opportunity to play and share music in a fun, dynamic environment. Music is carefully selected to fit all levels and abilities by instructor Jeff Rojo, who has been a student of the guitar and music theory since age 13. The workshop for older students will focus on techniques that broaden knowledge and abilities across the fretboard. Topics will include chord construction, chord inversions, chord extensions, fret board harmony, sight reading, voice leading, and improvisation. Youth class meets Thursdays 5 p.m.-6 p.m., older class 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. beginning September 11; cost is $80.

Jazz Combo is for ages 14 and up, open to all instruments and voices. Mike Whitehead will be instructing a curriculum that includes reading a lead sheet, understanding jazz feel, supporting other band members, playing a solo, jazz harmony, and creating a set list. Jazz combo begins September 17 and meets Wednesdays 6:15 p.m.-7:45 p.m. for eight weeks; cost is $80.

Ukelele classes are open to ages 12 and up and are organized into Beginner, Intermediate, Ensemble, and Advanced Ensemble. Instructor Jeff Weinberger says of the current ukulele resurgence, "it makes people happy; the ukulele has an angelic tone that appeals to the child in everyone." An accessible, portable, inexpensive instrument for all ages, the ukulele enriches people's lives by fostering community and shared musical experiences around the world. Students will learn the basic chords and strums necessary to play a varied repertoire of popular, folk, and classical music. Resources will be made available to explore the instrument above and beyond this basic course. Students provide their own instrument and tuner. Beginning September 17, classes meet Wednesdays 5 p.m.-6 p.m. (beginners); and Mondays 4 p.m.-5 p.m. (intermediate), 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (ensemble), and 6:30 p.m.-7 p.m. (advanced ensemble). Cost is $80 for an 8-week beginner or intermediate session, $120 for a 12-week ensemble session, and $30 for a 12-week advanced ensemble session.

Join Bay Chamber Music School for Open Studio Week beginning Monday, Sept. 8 through Friday, Sept. 12. Stop by the Shepherd Building at 18 Central St. in Rockport from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to meet the faculty, learn about what is offered, and sit in on lessons.

To see a complete list of classes and private lessons offered by Bay Chamber Music School, visit www.baychamberconcerts.org, or stop by the Bay Chamber office at 18 Central Street in Rockport. To register for classes or private lessons,  contact Joan Kulle at (207) 236-2823x107; joan@baychamberconcerts.org.

Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School enriches lives through high-quality concert programs, music education and community engagement. Bay Chamber Concerts is a year-round presenter of music in a variety of settings. The Bay Chamber Music School, located in downtown Rockport, offers Private Instruction, ensemble opportunities and group classes. Bay Chamber is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Learn more at http://www.baychamberconcerts.org/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BayChamberME?fref=ts.