LOCATION:
1307 High Street
(Corner of High St. &
Encinal Ave.)
Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: 510-769-0195
1307 High Street
(Corner of High St. &
Encinal Ave.)
Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: 510-769-0195
CCOME TO OUR OPEN HO |
THE "RHYTHM RASCALS" PROGRAM Rhythm Rascals © is a copyrighted program of the Alameda School of Music, and is designed as your child’s first step into the wonderful and important world of musical education. As you probably know, early experiences with music build many important skills: motor coordination, memory, the link between rhythm and math computation, and long-term goal setting are just a few of the crucial components for successful learning. We also all know that music is getting meager exposure in the schools because of budget constraints, and it is this void in your child’s musical experience that we aim to fill. GETTIN' YOUR FEET WET! Age Range: 3 to 5 years You’ll be amazed at the progress your child will make in this hands-on introduction to basic musical principles. Singing, dancing, storytelling, exposure to instruments and games are just a part of this age- appropriate curriculum. Interaction with one’s peers and the instructor is a crucial phase in this age group’s learning, and the course is designed with numerous activities which keep that in mind. The wonderful learning activities continue at home with at-home materials such as an illustrated songbook, CD, rhythm sticks and a drum. The at-home activities keeps your child thinking about music throughout the week, which prepares them gradually for their eventual daily music study with an instrument. All of this together provides a healthy and consistent platform from which your child will progress in their confidence, both musically and socially. JUMPIN' IN! Age range: 5 to 7 years Here’s where your child will astound you with their musical progress and grasp of fundamentals. The class begins with musical principles such as soft/loud, high/low and slow/fast, and progresses to specific rhythmic note values and the introduction of the musical staff. Your child will also learn about the instruments that make up an orchestra. By classes’ end, your child will be able to play simple melodies on a xylophone, and will then be ready to begin formal lessons on a specific instrument. All of this of course is introduced through the use of fun, hands-on singing, movement and focused listening activities. At his age, the at-home materials and activities are crucial for your child to maximize their class experience. The confidence gained in doing the weekly assignment gets your child used to the daily process of thinking about and practicing music, an important precursor to studying a specific instrument. BEGINNING GUITAR Age Range: 13 to Adult Designed for teenagers and adults, this class teaches you the basic chords, and you’ll immediately have fun playing songs like “Yellow Submarine”, “Lean On Me” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. You’ll also learn the concept of keys and how to use them, simple scales for building left hand strength, and all the basic and important strumming and picking patterns. By the end, you’ll have learned about eighteen songs, five keys, and all the right hand technique you’ll need to play literally hundreds of songs! INTERMEDIATE GUITAR Designed as a the follow-up class to Beginning Guitar, Barry shows you how to add fingers to chords, and how to play simple, classic leads like “Secret Agent Man” and “Tequila”. You’ll also learn some beautiful picking patterns, power chords, descending bass lines and moveable bar chords. Basic rock rhythms will be explained, with the songs of “Green Day” “Blink 182”, and more groups used as examples. You’ll also learn how to use the famous rock scale, and you’ll be improvising with it in just one session! A great class for taking that step beyond simple chord strumming. The small class size will allow time for individual help each week. BEGINNING KIDS GUITAR Age Range: 9 to 12 Years Learn guitar in a fun, relaxed setting with a great teacher! Donna loves teaching young people, and has taught hundreds of kids over the years. Because of her educational background, she’s developed a simplified system for guitar that anyone can learn. You’ll learn songs like “I’m a Believer”, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, and lots of other cool songs. You’ll also learn the first five basic keys, simple scales, and lots of fun strumming and picking patterns that you’ll be able to use for hundreds of songs. No previous musical experience is needed for this class. ALAMUSIC CHILDREN'S CHORUS WOW! A non-competitive chorus where kids can learn voice training, music theory, explore new music, develop skills and self confidence plus have lots of fun. The children will also learn about presentation, teamwork, and an appreciation of other languages and cultures. During the session the chorus will sing a variety of musical genres from Classical, Gospel, Pop, World Music and Musical Theater. The final session will consist of an informal performance, with your friends and family invited! No audition is necessary. The instructor, Michelle Jacques, has extensive performing experience, having performed with the likes of Manhattan Transfer, Wynton Marsalis, John Handy, and many others. She has written award-winning songs, worked for the San Francisco Symphony’s education programs, and currently conducts for the Oakland Youth Chorus. TEEN & ADULT GOSPEL/ WORLD MUSIC CHORUS Have you always wanted to be part of a fun, rockin’ and soulful a cappella chorus? For those who have always wanted to sing, here’s your chance! Students will learn African American and African spirituals, gospel music, labor and civil rights songs. Students will learn correct vocal and performance techniques, rhythms, and harmonizing in different musical styles. And to top it all off, there’ll be a performance to showcase what you have learned. All you need is willingness, commitment, a passion for joyful musical participation. The class is open to teenagers and adults, and no audition is necessary. The instructor, Michelle Jacques, has extensive performing experience, having performed with the likes of Manhattan Transfer, Wynton Marsalis, John Handy, and many others. She has written award-winning songs, worked for the San Francisco Symphony’s education programs, and currently conducts for the Oakland Youth Chorus. INTRO TO SONGWRITING Ever wonder how the pros make music spontaneously? This class will unlock many of the secrets of improvisation! We’ll learn some of the essential materials that are common to rock, blues, and jazz improvisation, and make music with them, step by step. Included are commonly used chords and scales, free-form improv games and techniques, techniques to develop rhythmic inventiveness, and helpful practice strategies. All instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome. The prerequisite is three month’s experience on an instrument, with some basic facility with chords and melody. Age range: 13 to adult. PIANO PLUS FOR KIDS Your child can now experience the advantage of private lessons combined with the fun and interaction that a group setting provides. Formal piano instruction is creatively combined with singing, movement and tactile activities such as “Move and Freeze”, “Musical Chairs” and “Name That Song”. The musical staff is explained by kids jumping from note to note using black ropes, and a musical version of baseball is used to count rhythms. The class size is limited to five, so that maximum interaction and individual attention can be assured. The idea is to emphasize important musical fundamentals in a creative, hands-on manner, while at the same time teaching piano fundamentals. Designed for children 7 to 10 years old. “GUITAR HERO” ROCK ENSEMBLE Here’s your chance to learn the great classics from the “Guitar Hero” game! Playing these songs in a game is one thing, but actually learning them on the guitar is the next important step towards playing in a band! You’ll learn all important facets of a song: rhythm parts, lead riffs, vocals and song arrangement. You’ll also learn the pentatonic scale in different positions, so you can improvise or devise your own solos. You’ll learn songs like “Heart Shaped Box, “Sweet Child of Mine”, and many more! Open to guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and singers! Prerequisite: knowledge of basic open chords and use of a flatpick. WOODWIND ENSEMBLE Have you ever wanted to play in a woodwind ensemble, and try your hand at playing many styles of music? Well now is your chance! Open to teenagers and adults, the class will explore ensemble playing by featuring music from many styles arranged in an original and fun way. The reasonable price will enable students to continue their private lessons while participating in this valuable ensemble. Perfect for teenagers in their school band, or general students who’d like to improve their note-reading skills. Some instrument facility and note- reading skill is required, and there’ll be an informal performance at sessions’ end. Open to all woodwinds, brass, and piano players. STRING ENSEMBLE Open to children seven to twelve years of age, this class is a valuable adjunct to your child’s private lessons. Too many times children learn an instrument privately without the fun, challenge and excitement of playing with others in a structured group setting. Simple classical, folk and popular pieces will be arranged for group playing, and an informal performance will be given to friends and family at sessions’ end. The reasonable price will enable parents to have their children continue their private lessons while enrolled in this valuable experience. Prerequisite: at least one years experience and basic note-reading ability. Open to violin, piano and guitar students. DO-IT-YOURSELF MUSIC PRODUCTION In this class you’ll learn how to self-record, mix and master your music with industry standard quality. Students will be taught the secrets of inputs/outputs, tracks, levels, fades, equipment, effects, and all the tools necessary for successful recording. Various software programs will be used and demonstrated, as well as traditional devices such as microphones and external speakers. You’ll learn with a “hands on” approach, by bringing in your own song, and developing it throughout the eight weeks. All students will receive a finished CD of their work. BLUEGRASS ENSEMBLE This class will teach you how to play bluegrass with other musicians. Designed for guitar, mandolin, banjo and fiddle, classic Bluegrass song tablatures will be given out for each instrument, and each student will have a chance to play lead and rhythm on each song. If you love Bluegrass and have some facility with any acoustic instrument, this class is for you! Singers are welcomed, and vocal melodies and harmonies are taught as well. BEGINNING STEEL DRUMS Learn the magic of making music on Caribbean steel drums. Have fun with the basics of sticking and melody making, and enjoy playing favorites like “Yellow Bird”, “Marianne”, “Jamaica Farewell”, “The Lion King” and many more! Beginners are welcome, and our easy, play-by- rote method will have you jammin’ in no time. We supply the drums, you just come ready to have fun! SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAMS 8 TO 12 YEAR OLD DAY CAMP Tailored for 9 to 12 year-olds, our camp includes group singing, piano and guitar instruction, a rhythm and percussion workshop, ice cream day, and daily lunch and play at Lincoln Park. Cost: $200 Hours: 9:30 AM to 2 PM. Extended care will be available until 4 PM. Dates: 2 Sessions, one week each Session #1: Monday, 7/7 through Friday, 7/11. Session #2: Monday, 7/14 through Friday, 7/18. Session #3: Monday, 8/25 through Friday, 8/29. 10 TO 16 YEAR OLD “GUITAR HERO” CAMP Now’s your chance to play those great songs from the game series, and do it with other aspiring players! Learn and rehearse classic tunes like “Sweet Child of Mine” “Surrender”, “My Hero”, and many more. You’ll practice cool rhythm and lead parts to songs, and how to transition between them. The class is mainly designed as an intermediate guitar class, but is also open to intermediate level bass, drums, keyboard and vocalists. An informal concert will be presented to friends and family on the last day. The first week only of either session may be attended. Cost: $400 Hours: 9:30 to 2 PM Dates: Session I: Monday, 6/16 through Friday, 6/27 (Two weeks) Students may sign up for the first week only (6/16 through 6/20) One week fee: $225 Session II: Monday, 7/21 through 8/1 (Two weeks) First week only (7/21 through 7/25) PRIVATE LESSONS All of our teachers are available for private lessons. Lessons are one- half hour to an hour in length, and are offered weekly. Please call the instructor directly for their particular schedule. Lesson prices are $110 per month for all instruments, with vocal lessons being slightly higher. We offer private lessons in guitar, piano, voice, violin, cello, drums, clarinet, flute, sax, trumpet, harp and steel drums. |
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS THE "RHYTHM RASCALS" PROGRAM GETTIN' YOUR FEET WET JUMPIN' IN BEGINNING GUITAR INTERMEDIATE GUITAR BEGINNING KID'S GUITAR BEGINNING GUITAR FOR PARENTS "GUITAR HERO" ROCK ENSEMBLE ALAMUSIC CHILDREN'S CHORUS GOSPEL & WORLD MUSIC CHORUS INTRO TO SONGWRITING PIANO PLUS FOR KIDS WOODWIND ENSEMBLE STRING ENSEMBLE DO-IT-YOURSELF MUSIC PRODUCTION BLUEGRASS ENSEMBLE SUMMER DAY CAMPS PRIVATE LESSONS |
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Class Descriptions
Teacher Biographies
What's New!
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Kindermusik