Summer Evenings at SAM
Intro to Electric Violin with Robert McClung
Monday June 24 – 6:00-7:30pm | Ages 12+ | $20 per student
The world of electric violins has exploded in recent years as more and more groundbreaking players like Mark Wook, Matt Bell, Lindsey Sterling and Mia Asano have all gone down the path of using electric instruments. But to a beginner who has only played an acoustic violin, the world of electric violin can be intimidating and scary. This class aims to conquer the fear, answer your questions, and broaden your horizons. You will learn about some of the different types of electric violins, how they work, and how you can use them with effects. You’ll even get a chance to play one yourself!
Play, Sing, and Perform with Artistry, Freedom, and Joy! with Christine Petrucci
Tuesday June 25 – 6:30-7:45pm | All ages | $20 per student
Enter this class with an open mind and willingness to try a new approach. Consider that the performance is not exclusively about the performer. Wear comfortable clothes. If you wish, bring a piece to play, a song to sing, a poem to recite, or be an observer.
Understanding Electronic Effects with Robert McClung
Monday July 8 – 6:00-7:30pm | Ages 12+ | $20 per student
If you play any sort of electronic instrument (guitar, bass, violin, keyboards, etc.) there are a plethora of electronic gadgets and gizmos that can bend and twist your sound in a myriad of ways. In this class, you will learn all the different kinds of effects available, learn about their history, hear examples of how they are used, and learn about they ways in which notable musicians have applied them in popular songs.
Piano Technique Tricks for Everyone with Christine Petrucci
Tuesday July 16 – 6:30-7:45pm | Ages 12+ | $20 per student
We pianists all have certain techniques we love to play. You know, the ones that feel good and make us sound great. However, sometimes our favorite piece requires us to step outside our cozy comfort zone. We play the piece beautifully except for that nasty passage. Why did the composer do this to us? Oh, no! Fear, strain, cringing sets in. In this class, we will look at these “tricky” spots as interesting and achievable challenges.
Practice Room Possibilities with Adrienne Starrs
Tuesday July 23 – 6:30-7:45pm | All ages | $20 per student
Tuesday July 30 – 6:30-7:45pm | All ages | $20 per student
Is your practice room a place of inspiration? Discovery? Accomplishment? Do you struggle to FIND TIME? In this two-part series, we will explore some creative approaches to this daunting task. This will be a participatory event for all ages and stages. Bring any music you would like and we will PRACTICE THE ART OF POSSIBILITY. (sharing techniques from “The Art of Possibility” by Benjamin and Rosamund Stone Zander)
Introduction to Improvisation with Robert McClung
Monday August 5 – 6:00-7:30pm | Ages 12+ | $20 per student
Improvisation plays a key role in many different genres of music, such as Blues, Jazz and Rock & Roll. This class aims to solve the mysteries of improvisation for beginners. If you can play a scale, or even a few single notes, you can begin to improvise. In this class you will learn a few basic scales that are commonly used in improvisation, and you will get the chance to apply them yourself by improvising over backing tracks in different styles. You’ll also learn about special techniques that many notable players have used in their improvised explorations over the years.
Music Theory Express with Christine Petrucci
Ages 12+ – All instruments and voices welcome!
Theory Express is a quick-paced and enjoyable class to reinforce basic music theory principles. Selected musical examples will be a combination of teacher’s choice or from pieces students bring into the class for a closer look. The Circle of 5ths will be one of our main references and, of course, we will explore a variety of cadences, authentic or otherwise. Perfect for students who have played for a few years, at a playing or knowledge level 3 -5 and want to catch the express to deeper musical understanding.
Music Theory Express will return in Fall 2024! Dates TBD
Centennial Hall Jazz Band with Charlie Jennison
Ages 12+ – All instruments and voices welcome!
This mini-course in jazz improvisation will use the vehicle of the small jazz combo to address topics such as rhythmic interpretation, understanding jazz chord symbols, and finding your individual voice in the context of a supporting ensemble
Centennial Hall Jazz Band will return in Fall 2024! Dates TBD
