A Cornerstone of the Community
Founded in 2011, Bay Chamber’s Music School has become a cultural cornerstone of the Midcoast Maine community. The Music School is a place where hundreds of people of all ages and from all walks of life have the opportunity to participate in a music-making community. Over 150 lessons are taught each week, along with a wide range of ensemble and chamber music opportunities. Bay Chamber students and their families receive complimentary tickets to select performances throughout the year, bringing together our Music School community with professional performers from around the world.
Private instruction and Group Classes
Private instruction
Music is a part of a complete education. To that end, we offer private lessons for all levels, from beginning to advanced. Private lessons are offered in Composition, Piano, Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, Winds, Brass, Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass. We are committed to making music education affordable and accessible to all through our scholarship program. Click here to register.
Chamber music
Chamber music is at the core of all that Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School stands for. The Chamber Music Program offers participants the opportunity to play in small ensemble settings such as trios, quartets and quintets. Interested musicians of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate. Chamber Music classes are offered to students who are fully enrolled in private lessons for $75 per semester. For all others, please view our Music School Policies here.
ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS
Our ensemble programs are offered for free to all students fully enrolled in weekly private lessons at our Music School. Ensemble classes are free for all students fully enrolled in private lessons. For all others, rates vary. Please call 207-236-2823 to learn more.
Allegro
A wonderful first experience ensemble for young string players, Allegro is open to students with at least one year of violin, viola, cello, harp, bass, or piano who are comfortable reading music and playing in the keys of A, D, C, and G. Allegro opens a new world of ensemble playing while reinforcing technique and reading skills, and is perfect for those Suzuki students who are becoming comfortable reading music, excited about playing more complex arrangements and joining with violists, cellists and bassists to create a full strings ensemble. Allegro is team taught by Colin Wheatley, viola; and Nate Martin, bass. ON HOLD FOR FALL 2024 SEMESTER.
Fiddle jam
Students will learn old-time, folk, and bluegrass fiddle music, learning to play together in group jam type settings. Classes will be taught online with in-person meetings for jam sessions of material covered. The online components of instruction include group classes and video material that will introduce material and provide opportunities for everyone to learn tunes and practice playing them with other students’ backup. Students will also learn to experiment with creative ways of accompanying each other. ON HOLD FOR FALL 2024 SEMESTER.
Jazz ensemble
Explore jazz in a fun supportive environment by using simple jazz/blues tunes to learn the key components of jazz; rhythm, harmony, melody, improvisation and group interplay. Come to learn what jazz is all about or to expand your existing knowledge. All instruments and voices are welcome.
RECORDING 101
This 8-week course covers the basics of sound engineering including microphone selection, setting levels, mixing and track editing. Students will learn everything needed to create a professional sounding recording of any musical genre! This class is team-taught by Mike Whitehead and Nate Martin. To learn more, call 207-236-2823.
Suzuki TWINKLERS
The Suzuki Twinklers class is for children learning to play violin using the Suzuki method. Recommended for students currently in Suzuki Book 1 who have learned to play "Twinkle". Children will learn to play with other children, develop musical and technical skills, and play fun musical games.
HOLISTIC MUSIC
Nate Martin, multi-disciplinary musician and teacher, is offering a 4 session private course for anyone looking to deepen their relationship to music. This includes musicians of all levels, avid listeners who don't play instruments, and those interested in listening as self-care. Sessions will be custom designed for each participant, and can include song writing, composition, exploring music theory, improvisation, curating autobiographical playlists, yogic breathing, meditation techniques, and more. For more info, contact info@baychamberconcerts.org
Envision Chamber Music Workshop
Young Stars of Maine Program
Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School is committed to a supportive and inclusive culture. We do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, or any other status protected by local, state or federal laws.