Wisconsin Conservatory of Music - Combos & Ensembles

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Combos & Ensembles

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 2012 semester will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012, or by appointment. The deadline for a placement hearing is Saturday, February 4, 2012. 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 including time, location, instructor and date.

Jazz Institute	Bluegrass Ensemble
Beginning Rock/Blues Combo for Teens and Adults	Playing with the Rock/Blues Pros
Blues Combo	Samba Unit
Classic Rock Band	Chamber Music
Guitar Ensemble

JAZZ INSTITUTE
Click here to view all our current Jazz Institute Combos & Ensembles.
Beginning Rock/Blues Combo for Teens and Adults \| $198
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. 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Thursdays 6:00-6:55pm 3802 • Starts 2/9/12 Instructor: Matt Schroeder Audubon Court • Tuesdays 6:00-6:55pm 3803 • Starts 2/7/12 Instructor: Jamey Buencamino Return to top
Blues Combo \| $198
Teens and Adults 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. Prerequisite: New student placement hearing required or consent of the instructor. 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Thursdays 8:00-8:55pm 3794 • Starts 2/9/12 Instructor: Matt Schroeder Return to top
Classic Rock Band \| $198
Teens and Adults Rock Band is open to all drummers, bassists, guitarists, keyboardists and vocalists. 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! Prerequisite: New student placement hearing required or consent of the instructor. 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Thursdays 7:00-7:55pm 3804 • Starts 2/9/12 Instructor: Matt Schroeder Audubon Court • Tuesdays 7:00-7:55pm 3805 • Starts 2/7/12 Instructor: Jamey Buencamino Return to top
Guitar Ensemble \| $96 NEW!
Teens and Adults no discounts apply Come be a part of Milwaukee's vibrant guitar community. The Conservatory is offering a new community guitar ensemble for musicians who would like to experience the enjoyment of playing in a larger ensemble and in a supportive group environment. Performance in an ensemble is a great way to continue developing your reading and technical skills while making great music with other guitarists. Music appropriate to the musicians' overall level will be selected. Participating members should be able to read notation in the 1st position, or have the ability to convert the provided music into tablature. A placement hearing is not required.* 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Tuesdays 8:00-8:55pm 3796 • Starts 2/7/12 Instructor: Jason Behr Return to top
Playing with the Rock/Blues Pros \| $150
High School-Adult A faculty trio of guitar, bass and drums will guide a maximum of three students through the techniques of rhythm section playing. A repertoire of rock and blues standards will be chosen at the start of the semester, for students to work on during private lessons. The class will offer the opportunity to "sit in" and observe seasoned professionals, get feedback and try out suggestions on the spot. The class will address stylistic awareness, time, feel, form, chart interpretation and more. 3 wks. Prerequisites: Open to guitarists, bassists and drummers currently enrolled in private rock/blues instruction at the Conservatory. Participants need to demonstrate proficiency performing standard rock/ blues repertoire. Dates: 3/14/12, 4/18/12, 5/16/12 Performance Date: 5/24/12 7:00pm Session 1 Prospect Avenue • Wednesdays 7:00-7:55pm 3806 • Instructors: Matt Schroeder, Jeff Hamann, David Bayles Session 2 Prospect Avenue • Wednesdays 8:00-8:55pm 3807 • Instructors: Matt Schroeder, Jeff Hamann, David Bayles Return to top
Bluegrass Ensemble \| $198
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this class has been canceled. Teens and Adults Students will delve into the many joyful facets of ensemble playing as they work on soloing, backing up, arranging, and improvising. Blues and folk music will also be included. Open to guitar, banjo, fiddle, bass and mandolin players. Basic proficiency on instrument required. 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Tuesdays 7:30-8:25pm 3793 • Starts 2/6/12 Instructor: Guy Fiorentini Return to top
Samba Unit \| $10 for City of Milwaukee Residents & MPS Students / $30 for Non-Milwaukee Residents
Ages 9 and Up Call Student Services at 414/276-5760 to register. It’s Samba time! This parade ensemble is a community musical endeavor based on Brazilian instruments and rhythms. What you’ll learn: Instrument playing technique, rhythm concepts and note reading, ensemble performance technique, Brazilian cultural history related to Samba music, and 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). Everyone aged 9 years and up is welcome to join and no prior percussion experience is necessary. Instruments will be available for rehearsals. Section specific classes and full group rehearsals all happen during the Tuesday night classes. Participants will perform in the July 4th Parade, the All-City People’s Parade and at other summer events. 15 wks. Off-Site • Tuesdays 6:00-7:30pm 3840 • Starts 1/31/12 First day is full group orientation. Section specific classes will be held as two sessions: Session I - Surdo, Caixa, and Repinique 6:00-6:45pm Session II - Tamborim, Cuica, and Pandeiro 6:45-7:30pm Instructors: Julio Pabon, Cecilio Negron Jr., Bony Plog-Benavides Classes will be held at Elm Creative Arts School, 900 W. Walnut, Milwaukee, WI Return to top
CHAMBER MUSIC
Receive $25 off when registered for 15 weeks of Individual Instruction and Chamber Duos!
Call Student Services at 414/276-5760 to register. Chamber Duos \| $132 Eight 45 minute sessions Chamber Ensembles \| $132 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. 8 sessions. Strings and Piano Prospect Avenue • Every other Wednesday 7:00-7:40 (7:55)pm 3798 • Starts 2/1/12 Instructor: Alexander Mandl Woodwinds Prospect Avenue • Every other Monday 7:00-7:40 (7:55)pm 3800 • Starts 1/30/12 Instructor: Linda Jones Brass Prospect Avenue • Every other Thursday 7:00-7:40 (7:55)pm 3795 • Starts 2/2/12 Instructor: Joshua Cameron Return to top
Playing with the Classical Pros \| $30/32 per thirty minute session
High School 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. Location, Day, Time, & Location TBD by students & faculty 3808 • Starts week of 1/31/12 Return to top
Piano Chamber Music \| $198
Teens and Adults Study and perform masterworks for two pianos in addition to the piano duet literature with the member of the professional piano-duo team, Varshavski-Shapiro, winner of a number of international competitions. For teen and adult players at the late intermediate to advanced level. 12 wks. Wilson Center • Mondays 1:00-1:55pm 3739 • Starts 2/6/12 Instructor: Diana Shapiro Return to top
Conservatory Community String Orchestra \| $186 New Location!!
Longer time by popular demand! 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 is offering a community string orchestra for adults in a friendly and supportive group setting. Everyone is welcome and all that is needed is rudimentary music literacy and your instrument. Come join our new orchestra at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music! 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. 15 wks. Audubon Court • Thursdays 7:30–8:55 pm 3801 • Starts 2/2/12 Instructor: Laura Rooney Watch video of the 2011 Summer Semester CCSO final recital! Return to top