Music Enrichment Ensembles

CMS offers a variety of ensembles for all ages that are designed to encourage students to expand their music skills and knowledge.  Students need not be enrolled in private study at CMS to participate in an ensemble.  However, for those students who are enrolled in private instruction at CMS, the first nine-week ensemble is offered at no charge!  Registrartion is required.  Contact the Registrar for more information or to register for a class or ensemble.

Adult Jazz Ensemble

Here's a chance to put your improvisational chops to the test with a small group! Songs chosen will vary from beginner to advanced intermediate. Soloing and improvisation are a factor to small group performance, and each student will be given the tools to create their own solo part. Reading single-note melodies is strongly recommended, and students of chord instruments (guitar/piano) should have some idea of the construction of jazz chords (major 7, minor 7, dominant 7). Students are expected to enroll for two consecutive 9-week quarters.

Instructor: Don Reese

Offered Every Quarter

Saturdays 11:30am-12:30pm
All instruments welcome.
Tuition: $125 per year

 

Cantabile Chorale

This mixed-voiced, multi-generational chorus directed by Emilily Kosasih explores traditional secular and sacred choral literature as well as lighter contemporary music. If you are at least 16 years of age, enjoy singing and being around other people that enjoy singing, then you will love the CMS Cantabile Chorale. At minimum, the chorus performs on 2 concerts each year.

Chorale Meets on Tuesdays 7:15-8:45pm September - May

$125 annual membership fee*

* Membership fee is waived for any student enrolled in private lessons at CMS

 

Chamber Ensembles: Trios, Quartets, Quintets and small ensembles of mixed instruments: Piano, Strings, Winds, Brass & Harp

Chamber music is often regarded as the most rewarding and difficult of all music literature to perform. Participation in a three to five member chamber ensemble provides fine-tuning of rhythmic, intonation, and communication skills as well as stylistic guidance from faculty coaches. Ensembles can be comprised of a wide variety of instrumental combinations. Students wanting to form an ensemble should first discuss their interest with their private lesson teacher.

Successful chamber ensembles require a great deal of practice and compatibility between all players.  For this reason, we encourage members of chamber ensembles to view it as a year-long commitment.

Instructors: Eric Coyne, Cindy Campetti, Belmary Lorcas, Odessa Balan

Offered Every Quarter

Intermediate to Advanced Winds, Brass, Strings, Piano & Harp Students

Tuition: $98 per 9-week quarter

 

Harp Ensemble

Instructor: Ellen Tepper

Tuesdays TBA

Requirements: Teacher Recommendation

Tuition: TBA

 

Beginning Jazz Ensemble

This is an ideal ensemble for beginning and intermediate instrumental students who want to join their school jazz band! Students of any instrument are welcome to join this ensemble which will study and perform repertoire in jazz and blues styles.

Instructor: Don Reese

All instruments welcome. Ages 8+
Offered Quarters 1 & 2

Saturdays 10:15-11am
Tuition: $98 per 9-week quarter

 

Rock & Pop Band

Students of any instrument (even voice) are welcome to join this ensemble which will introduce the music and styles of popular tastes from the 1950's to the present. Students will work on rhythms, and "grooves" appropriate to various styles with limited notation. Much will be by "ear" or "lead sheet" at best. There will be a place for students of any level (background accompaniment, doubling the melody, etc.).

Instructor: Don Reese

All instruments welcome. Ages 8+
Offered Quarters 3 & 4

Saturdays 10-11am

Tuition: $130 per 9-week quarter