Music   

"Jug Band: a band that uses primitive or improvised instruments (such as jugs, washboards and kazoos) to play blues, jazz, and folk music" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). We'll gather once a week to explore the history of jug bands, and to sing and play jug band songs. This class is less about musicianship, and more about exploring the roots of this great American art form. We'll listen to 1920s and 1930s recordings, and trace jug band influences on modern day music. Then we'll recreate some old-time music!

This class is for people who already know how to play the A-G chords. We play and sing 3-, 4-, and 5-chord songs by Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers, and other musicians from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. The class is mostly to practice feeling comfortable with playing guitar while singing. There is some instruction on more advanced guitar playing. Bring a guitar, ukulele, or other stringed instrument, or you're welcome to come just to sing along with the class.

Sing and/or play popular gospel songs. Bring your voice, guitar, violin, cello, harmonica, squeeze box, or other instrument and join a group of people singing and playing for fun. This is not meant to be religious. It's just a place to enjoy great music. Join us!

Experience the joy of singing four-part harmony, barbershop style! In this class we will choose your singing range (bass, baritone, lead, or tenor). Splitting the class into four groups by range, you will learn your part with your group. Next, we'll bring the groups together and sing the songs, hearing the harmonic blend of chords. No experience in four-part harmony is required, just the ability to sing a simple song (such as "Happy Birthday") in tune.

Join us to learn to sing songs in Spanish. Lyrics and audio files will be provided to help you learn.

We'll do a deep dive into the Beatles, their history, and the stories behind their songs. We will do a sing-along each week, starting with "Please Please Me" and working our way to "Let It Be." Bring instruments if you want to play along – lyrics and chords will be provided – or just bring yourself if you want to sing along to these amazing oldies. You don't have to be a great singer, just someone who likes to sing.

Rachmaninoff and Chopin are two popular classical music composers. Both were concert pianists in their own right and spent much time on stage drawing very large crowds. Their fame, however, was generated by their composing, which has found its way into the standard classical repertoire. Both had difficult times politically with Rachmaninoff falling into disfavor with the Bolshevik revolution in Russia and Chopin obtaining more artistic freedom leaving his native Poland for the more appreciative culture and lifestyle of France. Besides performing, both have had their music regularly included in many motion picture soundtracks.

Start your Tuesday with music and songs. Join us in a fun, informal sing-along. Bring your voices and/or musical instruments. The operative word is "fun." If you like music, you will like this class. All levels welcome!