Start the new school year off with the joy of music in your life!
Interested in taking a music class with others? Try out some of Berkshire Music School's fun Community Group Classes, offered on a pay-what-you-can basis for students of all levels and ages!
COMMUNITY GROUP CLASS YOUTH PROGRAMS
(ages 3-6)
Fridays 4-4:30pm
September 16 – November 18 (10 sessions)
Suggested Tuition: $100
"Musical ability is not an inborn talent, but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited." -S. Suzuki
Dr. Suzuki's goal was not simply to develop professional musicians, but to nurture loving human beings and help develop each child's character through the study of music. In the Suzuki Method, parents and teachers work closely together to create a nurturing environment to achieve success. This is a process, and it is in this process that we achieve our true goals of a child's lifelong character development.
(ages 7+)
Fridays 4:30-5:30pm
September 16 – November 18 (10 sessions)
Suggested Tuition: $180
Young musicians with some prior string knowledge come together for a first chamber ensemble experience! The session ends with a performance for family and friends.
String Orchestra
Intermediate to Advanced
Fridays 5:30-7:00pm
September 16 – November 18 (10 sessions)
Suggested Tuition: $270
The BMS Orchestra invites musicians of all ages to have fun making music together. Culminates in a community performance.
(ages 6-18 months with caregiver)
Tuesdays 10-11am
September 13 – November 22 (10 sessions)
(No session October 4)
Suggested Tuition: $150
Let's make some magic! Music is magic for all ages, and the younger the listener the greater the effect. It is never too early to cultivate a love of music. In fact, early exposure to music helps children to deepen their linguistic comprehension and to model complex social behaviors. It is essential for raising healthy, bright, and socially mindful young ones. Join us for fun with dance, music, and an array of infant- and toddler-friendly manipulatives such as balls, scarves, plushies, and more. A caregiver is required for each child participating.
Tunes for Tots
(ages 1.5 – 4 years with caregiver)
Saturdays 9:00-9:45am
September 17 – December 3 (10 sessions)
(No session Oct. 8 or Nov. 26)
Suggested Tuition: $150
Curious about the developmental essentials of music learning for young minds? This class introduces our youngest students, accompanied by an adult, to a wide array of music from all different genres and origins through an equally wide array of fun, age-appropriate, student-oriented activities.
Music for Young Minds
(ages 5-7 with caregiver)
Saturdays 10:00-10:45am
September 17 – December 3 (10 sessions)
(No session Oct. 8 or Nov. 26)
Suggested Tuition: $150
Students ages 5 to 7 engage in group lessons which cover five essential skills for an introduction to music. Focusing on singing, dancing, playing instruments, reading music, and writing music, these classes will excite young learners with a full range of activities that will get any kid excited and ready to learn all that the world of music has to offer.
Youth Beginning Piano
(ages 10-13)
Saturdays 11:00am – 12:00pm
September 17 – December 3 (10 sessions)
(No session Oct. 8 or Nov. 26)
Suggested Tuition: $180
Immersion in music is essential for children of all ages! This piano class for kids will train young students’ ears to recognize pitch and play it back on piano, their hands to form that correct shapes for piano technique, and their minds to think outside the box and invent their own original tunes.
Música para Las Mentes Jóvenes
(3 - 7 años)
Sábado 12:00 – 1:00 por la tarde
17 de septiembre – 3 de diciembre (10 sesiones)
(sin sesión el 8 de octubre ni el 26 de noviembre)
Matrícula sugerida: $150
¡Bienvenidos a una clase de música muy excitante para los estudiantes jóvenes! Esta clase va introducir estudiantes de 3 a 7 años a todas las opciones creativas del mundo de música. Los estudiantes tendrán oportunidades diversas para tocar instrumentos, cantar, escribir, leer y escuchar música, y además aprender todas los asuntos fundamentals.
(Ages 10-14)
Saturdays 1:00-2:00pm
September 17 – December 3 (11 sessions)
(No session Nov. 26)
Suggested Tuition: $165
The ukulele is like a small guitar with only 4 strings. It is the perfect instrument for kiddos to begin their music learning journey! This is because of the ukulele’s size and simplicity which makes it easy to hold and play. In this class, kids will learn to strum and play chords, and this will lead them to play simple songs.
Intergenerational Chamber Music
Intermediate to Advanced
Saturdays 2:00-3:30pm
September 17 – November 19 (10 sessions)
Suggested Tuition: $350
Do you enjoy practicing your instrument, but really love playing music with others? Come explore the world of chamber music! From Bach to Beethoven to Beatles and beyond, we will work on beautiful music and hone our listening skills. All ages welcome! Culminates in a performance for family and friends.
Teen Guitar
(Ages 13 – 18)
Saturdays 2:00-3:00pm
September 17 – December 3 (11 sessions)
(No session Nov. 26)
Suggested Tuition: $165
This 11-week class is the perfect introduction to playing the guitar. Teens will learn to strum and finger chords and soon they will be playing entire songs. With opportunities to incorporate their own musical interests, this class honors the individuality of the students and works with them exactly where they are.
All Community Group classes are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis thanks to the generosity of our friends at the Feigenbaum Foundation, the Golub Foundation, TD Bank, Adams Community Bank, and the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Suggested tuition is listed for each course.
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Visit the BMS website for all class offerings: https://www.berkshiremusicschool.org/registrationcommunitygroupclasses.
Berkshire Music School is also now enrolling new students of all levels and ages for private lessons, in-person and online starting Monday–Saturday, September 12–17. Come take a private lesson in-person at BMS’s historic campus in Pittsfield or online from the comfort of your home. Private lessons may be arranged for 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes each week to meet the needs of the individual student and may begin at any point throughout the year.
Check out why Berkshire Music School was named the Berkshire Eagle’s 2021 Best of the Berkshires “Best After-School Program.”
To register and for more information about private lessons and Community Group Classes at the Berkshire Music School visit: https://www.berkshiremusicschool.org/.
30 Wendell Avenue
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-442-1411
https://www.berkshiremusicschool.org/
Questions? Email Cassie at cpearson@berkshiremusicschool.org
