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Combos & Ensembles - Winter/Spring 2013

Experience the joy of making music with others when you join one of our combos or ensembles. Since each member plays his/her own part, ensembles simultaneously foster teamwork and independence. Ensemble members improve their rhythm and listening skills while having fun playing with other musicians. There are a wide variety of ensembles in different musical styles to choose from at the Conservatory. Students find that being a part of a combo or ensemble is a great way to enhance their musicianship and meet new friends.

New Student Placement Hearings for the Spring 2013 semester will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 or by appointment. The deadline for a placement hearing is Saturday, February 2, 2013. Please call 414/276-5760 to schedule an appointment.

Receive $25 off when registered for at least 15 weeks of individual instruction!

Click on class links below to find specific class information or scroll down on page for detailed class information. 


JAZZ INSTITUTE PERCUSSION
  Percussion Ensemble
 ROCK, BLUES & WORLD  
 Build-a-Band for Women CHAMBER MUSIC
Beginning Rock/Blues Combo for Teens and Adults  Chamber Duos & Ensembles
Blues Combo Piano Chamber Music
Classic Rock Band Playing with the Classical Pros
Old World Ensemble Chamber Music Coaching with the Prometheus Trio
  Conservatory Community String Orchestra
 



JAZZ INSTITUTE  

Click here to view all our Jazz Institute Combos & Ensembles.

 
ROCK, BLUES & WORLD  
Build-a-Band for Women | 12 Weeks | $198
 
Always wanted to play in a band? This class is designed for women ages 18 and up with minimal or no playing ability and an interest in playing in a rock band. Try your hand at bass, drum set, keyboard, and guitar. The class will focus on the basic playing techniques of these instruments and how they all fit together. Repertoire will be selected based on student interest. A placement hearing is not required.

Prospect • Thursdays 7:30-8:30pm
4965 • Starts 2/14/13
Instructor: David Wake

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Beginning Rock/Blues Combo | 12 Weeks | $198

 

Teens and Adults
Perfect for the teen or adult who has started playing rock and blues but has never had a chance to play in a group. You will have fun playing basic repertoire from the rock and blues genre. Open to drummers, bassists, guitarists, keyboardists and vocalists. A placement hearing is not required.

Prospect • Thursdays 6:00-6:55pm
4966 • Starts 2/14/13
Instructor: Matt Schroeder
Recital Date: 5/16/13 at 7:00pm

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Blues Combo | 12 Weeks | $198

 

Teens and Adults
Prerequisite: New student placement hearing required or consent of the instructor.

Blues Combo offers the opportunity to perform various blues and blues/rock styles in an ensemble setting. Chord progressions, rhythms, dynamics, improvisation, and repertoire will be discussed. Open to instruments from the blues genre.

Prospect • Thursdays 8:00-8:55pm
4967 • Starts 2/14/13
Instructor: Matt Schroeder
Recital Date: 5/16/13 at 7:00pm

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Classic Rock Band | 12 Weeks | $198

 

Teens and Adults
Prerequisite: New Student Placement Hearing required or consent of the instructor.
This is a performance oriented ensemble class allowing students to learn and play music from the classic rock era. Meet like-minded individuals and get a band started!
Open to all drummers, bassists, guitarists, keyboardists and vocalists.

Prospect • Thursdays 7:00-7:55pm
4968 • Starts 2/14/13
Instructor: Matt Schroeder
Recital Date: 5/16/13 at 7:00pm


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Old World Ensemble | 12 Weeks | $198
 

Teens and Adults
Intermediate-Advanced Level
Learn works from classical and folk traditions in a truly unique setting under the guidance of a master performer. Performance opportunities are available for this ensemble.
For mandolin, string and woodwind players.

Prospect • Tuesdays 7:00-7:55pm
4975 • Starts 2/12/13
Instructor: Mikhail Litvin

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PERCUSSION
 
Percussion Ensemble | 12 Weeks | $198
 
Middle and High School
Students will develop percussion techniques, reading, rhythm and ensemble skills by preparing a varied selection of pieces written for percussion ensemble. Instruments include snare, bass, hand drums, timpani, auxiliary and keyboard percussion. This class is a great opportunity for students of all instruments. No prior percussion experience required.

Prospect • Thursdays 6:00-6:55pm
4970 • Starts 2/14/13
Instructor: Bony Plog-Benavides

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CHAMBER MUSIC  
Chamber Duos & Ensembles | 8 Sessions | $132
 
Teens and Adults
Intermediate and Advanced Levels
Call
Student Services at 414/276-5760 to register.

Chamber Duos | Eight 45 minute sessions
Chamber Ensembles | Eight 60 minute sessions
• string trios, quartets and quintets
• piano trios, quartets and quintets
• woodwind & brass trios, quartets & quintet
• mixed ensembles
• flute, clarinet, French horn, trombone, or saxophone quartets

Open to string, winds, brass, and piano players at the intermediate and advanced levels of ability who wish to enhance their music study by performing in a small group setting. Students will receive a high degree of individual attention while developing their ensemble musicianship. Groups meet every other week.

Strings and Piano         
Prospect • Every other Wednesday 7:00-7:40(7:55)pm
4972 • Starts 2/13/13
Instructor: Steve Ayers

Woodwinds
Prospect • TBA
4971 • Starts week of 2/11/13
Instructor: Linda Jones

Brass
Prospect • Every other Wednesday 7:00-7:40(7:55)pm
4973 • Starts 2/13/13
Instructor: Jake Tomasicyk

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Piano Chamber Music | 8 Sessions | $143  
Adults
Late-Intermediate to Advanced Levels

Study and perform masterworks for piano four-hands and eight-hands with founding Prometheus Trio pianist, Stefanie Jacob.

Prospect • Every other Wednesday 11:00-11:55am
4974 • Starts 2/6/13
Instructor: Stefanie Jacob

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Playing with the Classical Pros | $30/32 per 30 min. session
 
High School-Adult
Students must sign up for a minimum of three sessions.
Flexible scheduling is available. Call Student Services at 414/276-5760 to register.
Enjoy this unique opportunity to play chamber music with one of our faculty members. You will develop the skills involved in the collaborative process as you experience the joy of playing with a professional musician. Students will improve ensemble and listening skills. The class will address stylistic awareness, rhythm, phrasing, interpretation, and responding to nonverbal cues. Students will receive feedback and try out suggestions on the spot. Repertoire will be determined by the coach and student.

Day, Time, & Location TBD by students & faculty
Starts week of 2/4/13
Instructors: Classical Faculty


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Chamber Music Coaching with the Prometheus Trio | 5 Sessions | $82  
High School
Late-Intermediate to Advanced Levels. By Audition Only.
Call Student Services at 414/276-5760 to register.
Gain invaluable insights into the workings of an ensemble as you study and perform great chamber works with members of the Prometheus Trio. Open to high school students with late-intermediate to advanced ability.

Prospect • Day & Time TBD by students & faculty
Starts in February 2013
Instructors: Stefanie Jacob, Timothy Klabunde, Scott Tisdel

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Conservatory Community String Orchestra | 15 Weeks | $186
 
Adults
*no other discounts apply.

If you played the violin, viola, cello, or bass as a youngster and would like to dust off your instrument and renew your skills, or if you play a bit now and would like the experience of playing in a larger group, here is an exciting opportunity for you. The Conservatory offers a community string orchestra for adults in a friendly and supportive group setting. Everyone is welcome and all that is needed is basic music literacy and your instrument. Music Book: Fiddler's Philharmonic by Andrew Dabczynski and Bob Phillips, Alfred publishing. Please purchase book prior to first class. Folders and additional sheet music will be provided. A placement hearing is not required.

Audubon Court • Thursdays 7:30-8:55pm
4976 • Starts 2/7/13
Instructor: Laura Rooney

Watch video of the 2011 Summer Semester CCSO final recital!

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Samba Unit | 12 Weeks | $10 for City of Milwaukee Residents & MPS Students; $45 for Non-Milwaukee Residents  

Ages 9 and Up

Please call Students Services at 414/276-5760 to enroll.

Come join our Samba troupe! We are a Brazilian percussion ensemble, featured in parades and community performances throughout the Greater Milwaukee area. What you’ll learn: traditional batucadas from Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, Bahia; instrument playing technique, rhythm concepts and note reading; ensemble performance technique; Brazilian cultural history related to Samba music; simple Brazilian chants/songs. What we’ll play: Brazilian Repinique (lead drum with out snares), Surdo (bass drums), Caixa (snare drums), Tamborim (small, high-pitched, hand-held drum), Pandeiro (Brazilian tambourine), Cuica (friction drum), Ganza (shakers), Agogo (bells), and Reco Reco (guiro-like scraper). No prior percussion experience is necessary. Instruments will be available for rehearsals. Participants will perform in the July 4th Parade, the All-City People’s Parade and at other summer events.

 

Off-Site • Tuesdays 6:00-7:30pm

5037 • Starts 2/5/13

Instructor: Julio Pabon, Cecilio Negron Jr., Bony Plog-Benavides

 

Classes will be held at Elm Creative Arts School, 900 W. Walnut, Milwaukee, WI