How to Register: By Phone:Call 612.333.6651 and pay by VISA or Mastercard or mail us a check In Person: Register during our office hours (3:30pm - 7:30pm Mon - Thurs and 9am - 1pm Sat).
Sessions are 90 minutes and cost $110 total unless otherwise noted. Classes hold 3-12 students and are subject to class size requirements.
Recorder Class For Kids, Level I, II, III Maggie Roston
For children, grades K
to 5, who want to a peek into how much fun it is to make music, and to
get a head start on all the other wind instruments, including the
flute, saxophone,clarinet, oboe and bassoon, which all have the same
basic concepts and fingerings. There will be an option to continue to
the next level at the end of each six week session.Level I starts with play-by-ear exciting, well-known songs.Level II advances to concepts of reading music. Level III moves on to reading fun & fantastic music.
Either Saturdays, 2:30-3:30 pm April 10 - May 15, or Wednesdays, 5-6pm, April 14 - May 19
Basic Music Theory Rhonda Laurie If
you have always wanted to learn how to read music and develop a
fundamental music vocabulary, or if you want to accelerate your
beginning music theory education, this class is for you. Great for a
serious beginner and musicians/vocal musicians wanting to brush up on
some basic music theory. Classes will cover aural and written musical
expression, the elements of music, and musical structure. We will use a
keyboard as the demonstrating instrument in applying the concepts
presented in this class. There may be a modest cost for photocopied
materials. Mondays, 7-8:30pm, April 12 - May 17
Introduction to GuitarDale Dahlquist For
beginners who are looking for a supportive learning environment. This
class will teach students basic guitar chords in several common keys, a
few simple tunes, proper technique, simple flatpicking and
fingerpicking patterns, and basic theory. Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm, April 14 - May 19
Building Vocal Confidence I: Performance BasicsBobbi Miller Love
to sing, but afraid to do it in public? Learn all the basics of good
vocal technique, increase your power and range, and find your own
voice. The class will focus on vocal exercises, proper body alignment
and breath control. There will be a performance for your peers. Wednesdays, 7:30-9pm, April 7 - May 12 *Special Early Start Time*
Introduction to Balkan Folk Music Nickolai Kolarov Explore
Balkan (Bulgarian, Macedonian, Romanian and Gypsy) rhythms and
melodies, including regular and irregular meters, two-part singing, and
traditional and oriental scales. Students will develop an appreciation
for the rich and varied tradition of Balkan music, learn folk songs and
dances and enhance their understanding of the culture of the region.
Familiarity with music notation is helpful but not required.
Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm, April 14 - May 19
Introduction to African Guitar Siama Matuzungidi This
class will explore rhythmic patterns and guitar riffs common to Soukous
and High Life styles of music. Soukous is an up tempo music also called
African Rumba, similar to Soca and Calypso from the Caribbean.
High Life is a West African music style. Teacher demonstrations,
listening to recordings, some history and discussions of popular
African musicians in this style are elements of the class. Familiarity
with basic chords and notes will be helpful to students. Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm, April 14 - May 19
Latin American Hand DrummingKale Baglyos Reed Hand-drumming
is a great way to release the music in you and experience the rush of
playing music in a group. You dont need previous musical experience to
participate in this class for beginning to intermediate levels. Well
explore traditional rhythms from Africa to Latin America and rhythms
created on the spot in a drum jam style. You will be introduced to hand
drum technique as it applies to these traditional rhythms. Some congas
or djembe will be provided; you are encouraged to bring your own drum. Sundays, 2:00-3:30pm, April 11 - May 16
Chamber Music for Recorders or Other Woodwind Instruments Maggie Roston
This class offers adults or more experienced youth aninformal setting to enjoy playing music together! The
recorder group will play renaissance and baroque music.OR
the Wind group, any combination of flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe,
bassoon or French horn will play duos to Choirs, from Bach to Beethoven
to Bartok. Classes formed according to instrument, experience level and
interest. Groups can be ongoing.
Either Saturdays, 2:30-4pm, April 10 - May 15, or Wednesdays, 6-7:30 pm, April 14 - May 19
Building Vocal Confidence II: Beyond the Basics Bobbi Miller
This is a follow up course to BVC I
and designed to help you take the next step to confident, relaxed
performance. Students will learn intermediate to advanced vocal
technique, applying exercises and
scales to challenging
songs. Study of professional vocalists and various techniques will
combine with improvisation and song study. Contrasting styles will be
emphasized, culminating in a performance for
your peers, friends and
family!
Mondays, 7:30-9pm, April 5 - May 10 *Special Early Start Time*
Music Theory for the Guitar Level I and IIDale Dahlquist
Great for a serious
beginner or an accomplished musician. Invaluable for songwriting,
improvising, pulling tunes from recordings and playing with others.
Learn chord structure, how to index and play each in several forms.
Through analysis of popular songs, learn chord relationships in a
progression and how they resolve.Level I covers 13 chord
types including major, minor, suspended, 6ths, 7ths, power chords.
Level II includes 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, augmented, diminished, altered
chords, inversions, and more sophisticated progressions.Prerequisites: Level IIntroduction to Guitar, equivalent private instruction or a ravishing curiosity.Level II: Completion of Theory I or instructor consent.
Level I:Wednesdays, 8-9:30pm, April 14 - May 19
Level II:Thursdays, 8-9:30pm, April 15 - May 20
Jazz Improvisation Paul Renz This
course will include the study and application of the following
improvisation techniques: listening, melodic embellishment, scales,
arpeggios, phrasing, cliches, chromaticism and the development of
personal style. Students will improvise over simple music forms, chord
vamps and 12 bar blues and work toward soloing in jazz standards. Saturdays, 2:30-4pm, Ongoing
Jazz Theory Paul Renz Explore
the harmonic structure of 12 bar blues progressions and standard song
form.We will examine the connection between jazz harmony and
improvisation techniques such as arpeggios, chord scales, guide tone
lines and melodic embellishment. Arranging and composition techniques
will be covered as well as jazz rhythms, notation and terminology. Saturdays, Time TBD, April 10 - May 14
The Joy of Sight Singing Paul Renz Improve
your aural skills and build sight-reading chops. Includes melodic and
rhythmic dictation, identification of intervals and triads, basic
rhythms, melodic patterns, common cadences and lots of sight-singing.
You don't need a "good" voice to enroll. Students will be required to
pay for some materials. Saturdays, Time TBD, April 10 - May 14
Jazz History and Listening Stefan Kac Explore
the history of recorded jazz music from its origins through the present
day. Listening will be interspersed with discussion of relevant
historical and technical topics. Wednesdays, 7:30-9pm,April 14 - June 2 (12 hrs), $145
Understanding & Operating P.A. EquipmentDale Dahlquist Learn
about the function, setup, operation, and pricing of commonly used PA
equipment for any sized room or outdoor venue. This is critical
material for solo as well as band players. Whether you are buying or
upgrading equipment, using a house system, or want to maximize the
capabilities of equipment you own, this invaluable class will help you
enhance your sound, minimize feedback, and work efficiently and safely.
The last week is a hands-on PA Workshop. You will help set up a
complete PA system for a small band, then twist knobs to get desired
results. Written materials are provided on pricing, vendors, model
recommendations and hookup diagrams. Week 1 & 2 Thursdays, April 22 and 29 - 8:15-9:45pm (1.5 hours each session) Week 3 Thursday, May 6 - 7:15-9:45pm (2.5 hours) Total of 5.5 hours in 3 sessions $80
The Zen of American Primitive GuitarPeter Lang Long
time friend and collaborator of the legendary John Fahey, Peter Lang
will give a multifaceted class including insights on right and left
hand technique. Students will learn methods for muting and clarifying
lead lines, and be introduced to a variety of right hand picking
styles. The class will explore ways in which open tunings can give
added dimension and coloring to arrangements. Composition issues, the
use of dynamics and practical applications for slide and other open
tuning techniques will be investigated. The slide component of the
class will look into lap vs. classical, glass vs. metal and the ways in
which various tunings flavor the sound the slide produces. Tablature
will be provided for lessons in both D (DADF#AD) and C (CGCGCE)
tunings, among others. Saturdays, 1-2:30, Ongoing, flexible start time, $150
Bui
WEST BANK SCHOOL of MUSIC 1813 South 6th St. Minneapolis, MN. 55454 (612) 333-6651 info@westbankmusic.org
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