Ensemble Classes

Grab your twang and get ready to rock. We'll learn songs by favorite alt-country artists such as Uncle Tupelo, Lucinda Williams, The Waco Brothers, Lydia Loveless, and more. You'll also learn some of the basic skills it takes to play and sing in a band - then put them to use playing an end-of-session online performance. Open to all instruments and vocalists. Guitar prerequisite: 2 Rep or comparable experience. For all other instruments: proficiency with basic major/minor chords (or melody playing) in keys of D, G, A & E and the ability to keep a steady rhythm in 4/4 and 3/4 time.

Grab your twang and get ready to rock. We'll learn songs by favorite alt-country artists such as Uncle Tupelo, Lucinda Williams, The Waco Brothers, Lydia Loveless, and more. You'll also learn some of the basic skills it takes to play and sing in a band - then put them to use playing an end-of-session online performance. Open to all instruments and vocalists. Guitar prerequisite: 2 Rep or comparable experience. For all other instruments: proficiency with basic major/minor chords (or melody playing) in keys of D, G, A & E and the ability to keep a steady rhythm in 4/4 and 3/4 time.

Join us as we explore the songs of the ever-burgeoning genre of "Americana," covering artists such as Jason Isbell, The Decemberists, Neko Case, Dawes, Shovels & Rope, The Lone Bellow, and more!

Have you always wanted to play in a group, but didn't know where to start! This is the class for you! Learn the immortal songs of the Fab Four while learning the essential skills of playing in time with a rhythm section, singing together, and creating a set that rocks from beginning to end. Learning an instrument can be fun, but playing in an ensemble is fantastic, and the Beatles makes it easy!

A special daytime version of our most popular ensemble class. Like it’s night time older brother, we will take on the catalog one album at a time. Join us on Friday afternoons at noon. A perfect time to tap into your inner Paul, John, George or Ringo. We will learn the entire album from A to Zed.

A special daytime version of our most popular ensemble class. Like it’s night time older brother, we will take on the catalog one album at a time. Join us on Friday afternoons at noon. A perfect time to tap into your inner Paul, John, George or Ringo. We will learn the entire album from A to Zed.

The Beatles Ensemble continues their journey through the British releases. Session 4: Yellow Submarine, Anthology reunion tracks, and some early ex-Beatle hits from 1970 & 1971 Session 5: Please Please Me Session 6: With The Beatles

The Beatles Ensemble continues their journey through the British releases. Session 4: Yellow Submarine, Anthology reunion tracks, and some early ex-Beatle hits from 1970 & 1971 Session 5: Please Please Me Session 6: With The Beatles

Spend the day with the Fab Four, playing the songs of Beatles For Sale and Help!. Songs include “No Reply,” “Baby’s In Black,” “I’m A Loser,” “Eight Days A Week,” “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away,” “Help!,” “Ticket to Ride,” and “Yesterday.” Guitars, ukuleles, piano, bass, and voice welcome!

This class is designed for beginning level players that want to gain experience in a slower paced setting.

The repertoire of American string band music is excellent preparation for making music in any setting. This class focuses on string band music with straightforward arrangements for clawhammer banjo, pre- and re-grassed mandolin, and American fiddle. Students will get the workout of a weekly band rehearsal by collaborating to develop "performance ready" material. Prerequisites include the ability to play through whole songs and tunes at medium tempos, and a desire to assemble a full set of music for performance in duos, trios, and quartets. Paced for those who have completed the introductory courses for their instruments.

In Bluegrass Ensemble, you will learn the basics of playing and singing for bluegrass. From kick-offs to endings, discover the structure of a bluegrass song through playing the music. We look at what to play behind verses, choruses, and solo breaks in bluegrass songs. We encourage students to work on singing and solos while the teacher leads songs at first. As students gain confidence with their parts, the teachers hand the reins over and students are invited to share their solo and rhythm and lead songs in class. Play along tracks, instructional videos and charts are all provided, and students are encouraged to send their recordings of class songs to the teachers and to the whole class list via email. This class is a fun and challenging way to work out your bluegrass chops.

After rehearsing with your own blues bands for the entire session, you land a gig at Rosa's Lounge (3420 W. Armitage). There you'll perform a set for an audience filled with family and friends. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL! The graduation party is always on the last Sunday of each session. Doors open at 4PM. All students from Wednesday night and Saturday editions of this class must come to "orientation evening" held on the first Wednesday of each new session at 6:30 PM in room B4. On that evening, we'll have a jam session, discuss the details of the program and assign you to your own small band with which you'll meet for the remaining 7 weeks of the session. All instruments and vocalists are welcome. (vocals, electric guitar, harmonica, bass, drums, brass, woodwinds, strings, keys, and others!) Graduation is traditionally held at Rosa’s on the last Sunday of each session. DESK STAFF PLEASE NOTE If there are questions that you can’t answer contact Steve Hutchins steve.hutchins@oldtownschool.org

After rehearsing with your own blues bands for the entire session, you land a gig at Rosa's Lounge (3420 W. Armitage). There you'll perform a set for an audience filled with family and friends. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL! The graduation party is always on the last Sunday of each session. Doors open at 4PM. All students from Wednesday night and Saturday editions of this class must come to "orientation evening" held on the first Wednesday of each new session at 6:30 PM in room B4. On that evening, we'll have a jam session, discuss the details of the program and assign you to your own small band with which you'll meet for the remaining 7 weeks of the session. All instruments and vocalists are welcome. (vocals, electric guitar, harmonica, bass, drums, brass, woodwinds, strings, keys, and others!) Graduation is traditionally held at Rosa’s on the last Sunday of each session. DESK STAFF PLEASE NOTE If there are questions that you can’t answer contact Steve Hutchins steve.hutchins@oldtownschool.org

After rehearsing with your own blues bands for the entire session, you land a gig at Rosa's Lounge (3420 W. Armitage). There you'll perform a set for an audience filled with family and friends. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL! The graduation party is always on the last Sunday of each session. Doors open at 4PM. All students from Wednesday night and Saturday editions of this class must come to "orientation evening" held on the first Wednesday of each new session at 6:30 PM in room B4. On that evening, we'll have a jam session, discuss the details of the program and assign you to your own small band with which you'll meet for the remaining 7 weeks of the session. All instruments and vocalists are welcome. (vocals, electric guitar, harmonica, bass, drums, brass, woodwinds, strings, keys, and others!) Graduation is traditionally held at Rosa’s on the last Sunday of each session. DESK STAFF PLEASE NOTE If there are questions that you can’t answer contact Steve Hutchins steve.hutchins@oldtownschool.org

For instrumentalists (drums, bass, piano, guitar, percussion, wind, strings) and singers. In this class the instructor will coach players and singers on Brazilian rhythms, harmonies, vocal placements and proper Portuguese pronunciation. Detailed ways to groove Samba, Bossa Nova, and different rhythms from North/Northeastern Brazil (Baião, Xote, Xaxado, Axé, Ijexá, Maracatú...) will be looked at and broken down with a magnifying glass. Arrangements are written to explore the specific instrumentation the class will gather. Want to dive deep into the Brazilian World of Music? This is the class for you!!

We’re playing music from any artist that has ever performed on the stage of this historic club. Television, Talking Heads, The Ramones, Patti Smith, oh the list goes on. Who's your favorite CB's band? We will play 'em!

Classic Rock Ensemble: Bob Seeger

You don’t have to be 60 to be in the ‘60s Classics Ensemble. All you need is an unoccupied afternoon, your instrument, and a little bit of curiosity about that far off far out two-decades-in-one musical time. There was just no way to dig it all the first time through. Different songs are covered every session. No request refused, and you are encouraged to create your own charts to share with the class.

You don’t have to be 60 to be in the ‘60s Classics Ensemble. All you need is an unoccupied afternoon, your instrument, and a little bit of curiosity about that far off far out two-decades-in-one musical time. There was just no way to dig it all the first time through. Different songs are covered every session. No request refused, and you are encouraged to create your own charts to share with the class.

Zac Brown Band, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, George Strait, Martina McBride, and many more. Explore your inner twang, whether it be on guitar, fiddle, mandolin, dobro, banjo, drums, voice, piano, ukulele. Anything goes. Modern country is a virtual potpourri of influences, including rock, soul, folk and even blues. Ability to have fun and not take yourself too seriously required.

A variety of classic rock, post-punk/new wave, psychedelic, goth, experimental-pop, etc., lovingly curated by teaching artist Tommi Zender. CBGB to 4AD; Talking Heads to Radiohead. Similar to the KROQ “Morning Becomes Eclectic” radio show. You don’t want to eat the same thing everyday, do you?!

Folk Songs, Carrying History Forward is intermediate level class that is open to all beginners that can comfortably change chords on their respective instruments. We'll learn songs, and learn about artists like Hazel Dickens, Doc Watson, Mississippi John Hurt, Jean Ritchie, and others who have been influenced by, and have impacted old time country, folk, blues, and bluegrass. Students will work on creating their own arrangements in class, and be introduced to how to learn songs by ear. Each sessions ends with a final class performance that is joined by other classes offered at the same time.

Let’s unplug! We'll explore folk rock from it's roots in the mid ‘60s to the plethora of contemporary acoustic acts. From the Byrds to Beck and from Cat Stevens to Sufjan Stevens, build your repertoire and improve your arrangement skills. In addition, the class will collectively create new interpretive arrangements of traditional tunes. If the power ever goes out, the show will go on!

A long, strange trip indeed. From the deeply traditional to the cutting edge of the forms beyond chaos, the Dead did their best to love it all, and so do we. Performance oriented. It's all about the show.

From Toronto to Cleveland to Detroit to Chicago, there's no shortage of great music scenes that have grown up along the shores of the Great Lakes! In this multi-genre class, we'll explore artists and songs (past and present), from the Great Lakes region--from the giants of Motown and Chicago blues to rock icons like Devo, the Violent Femmes and Jack White, to contemporary singer-songwriters from both sides of the northern border. This is a performance-based class, and we will work together as a group to build a set and play an end-of-session show (either online or in-person). Ensembles are a great chance to strengthen your skills while gaining experience and confidence playing or singing in a band setting.

From Toronto to Cleveland to Detroit to Chicago, there's no shortage of great music scenes that have grown up along the shores of the Great Lakes! In this multi-genre class, we'll explore artists and songs (past and present), from the Great Lakes region--from the giants of Motown and Chicago blues to rock icons like Devo, the Violent Femmes and Jack White, to contemporary singer-songwriters from both sides of the northern border. This is a performance-based class, and we will work together as a group to build a set and play an end-of-session show (either online or in-person). Ensembles are a great chance to strengthen your skills while gaining experience and confidence playing or singing in a band setting.

Come learn and re-create the swinging sounds and repertoire of the great Django Reinhardt and his numerous Jazz manouche ensembles. Traditionally this genre is played with lead and rhythm guitars, bass and violins but other melody instruments are welcome like accordion, clarinet, and even a tenor banjo! Play the repertoire of the famous Hot Club Of France and more!

Learn how to back-up yourself and/or another singer when performing Irish Ballads on your instrument of choice (guitar, banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, ukulele etc.) We will draw from the classic Irish songbook - from Count John McCormack to the Clancy Brothers, from pub favorites to sea shanties and love songs. Develop the means to deconstruct song types, understand the appropriate rhythmic patterns and add vocal stylings to bring the songs to life. The craic will be mighty! Gain insights into the way of life in Old Ireland as some common themes and events are sung about in each ballad. Jim will provide background details of every song therefore informing your interpretation the song. Jim McVeigh is from Belfast, Northern Ireland and has played extensively throughout Ireland and the British Isles. Since coming to the United States in 1993 he has performed in the Irish music scene here in the Midwest and beyond.

Do you play, sing, or dance to traditional Irish music by yourself? Do you want to gain the confidence to join in with others at sessions? If so, this class is for you. In this welcoming, guided session, we will take the tunes, songs, rhythms, and steps you have learned in your instrument-specific lessons and classes and make music together in a supportive and joyful environment. You will hear new tunes and songs to add to your expanding repertoire. We will also introduce you to session etiquette and share how to best comport oneself at a session here and in Ireland. You can expect stories, jokes, and lots of great music. Come join us!

Interested in someday playing along in Irish sessions around town—or in Ireland—this welcoming, friendly class is your first step. We will learn the basic, classic tunes of Irish sessions, and break them down, part-by-part. Beyond expanding your specific tune repertoire, we will explore and discuss all aspects of Irish music and culture, including session etiquette, in a supportive and joyful environment. This class will put you on a path to one day participate confidently in an authentic Irish pub session yourself. You can expect stories, jokes, and lots of great music. Come join us!

As the title says, this will be a full jazz ensemble for the serious player. Participants should be able to read music and feel comfortable in improvising over major and minor 2-5-1 chord progressions in all 12 keys. Be prepared to improvise over chord changes in different styles of jazz including standards, bebop, Latin, fusion, etc.

With roots in the blues, jazz, and ragtime, jug band music includes some of the happiest songs you’ll ever hear. We’ll explore the repertoire, learn musicianship skills, and prepare for a variety of performance opportunities, all in a fun and supportive environment.

Play the vibrant music of the Latinx experience. Learn about the clave, a concept that gives the music its unique rhythmic structure. Play roots styles like son montuno, mambo, cumbia, rumba, cha cha cha, bugalu, merengue, plena, afrocuban 6/8,bolero and other forms that contribute to the sound of Latin Jazz, Salsa, Latin pop,rock,funk,hip/hop etc.The influence of Jazz and world music will also be explored. Some of the artists we'll cover:The Buena Vista Social Club, Santana, War, Fania All Stars,Manu Chao, Selena, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente and a host of others. We'll try our hand at arranging music from other sources in a Latin style and stretching our improv chops (descarga). Recommended reading “Salsa Guidebook for Piano and Ensemble” by Rebeca Mauleon (provides a good idea how the music is put together) “Cuba and its Music from the First Drum to the Mambo” by Ned Sublette

Learn to speak the language of jazz, develop your ears and heighten your musicianship. Investigate the chord/scale relationship, turnarounds, voice leading, jazz charts, new scales, and chord substitution. We will listen and analyze tunes in the style of standards, bebop, latin-jazz, blues, modal, and more. Students should be familiar with basic theory, have functional reading skills and a desire to expand one’s musical horizons.

Come join us. In the spirit of our founder Frank Hamilton, we'll learn by ear, making music with others creating our own arrangements of some core tunes and songs. We'll draw from gospel to blues, old time numbers to lyrical ballads. Let the Monday Night Special shine it's light on you!

Play in a string band with fellow students. You’ll learn a half dozen new fiddle tunes, a humorous song or two, and brush up some old favorites. This is a great class for you if you’ve been studying privately and want to start playing with other people. At the end of the session, put on a concert for fellow students and friends.

The beautiful sounds of traditional American music are being revived and reinvented by contemporary bands like Uncle Earl, David Rawlings, Gillian Welch, The Be Good Tanyas, Abigail Washburn, Old Crow Medicine Show, the South Memphis String Band, and more. Come learn the songs of these artists in an ensemble setting. All acoustic instruments and vocalists welcome.

Look what happened while rock and blues were sleeping! Explore the music of some of todays most lyrical and eloquent pop artists in an ensemble setting with singer songwriter Bill Brickey. Pop music is a genre once unique to the American music scene. In this class guitarists, bassists, drummers, and singers "band" together to discover how blues, folk, and rock classics have been combined to create the thing we call pop music.

From its gritty, glammy 70s beginnings to hardcore, pop punk, Riot Grrl and queercore, punk has always carried a spirit of defiance and self-expression. Find your voice, get loud, play with a band and explore punk music past and present. Class culminates in an end-of-session performance. Open to all electric instruments and vocalists.

Explore one of the earliest and most vibrant styles of rock and roll the way it is meant be played, in an ensemble setting! A combination of R&B mixed with country influences, songs by Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and the Everly Brothers as well as current artists like Brian Setzer, Big Sandy, and Dwight Yoakam will be covered. All instruments and singers welcome. Waxed sideburns and raunchy tattoos are optional.

The Soul Ensemble is back!! Step into the groove with us as we sing and play 20th AND 21st Century soul tunes from the 60s and 70s all the way to 2021 -- from classic Motown, Memphis, Philly, and Chicago soul to songs by contemporary artists such as Yola, Black Pumas, Allison Russell and The War and Treaty.

The Johnny Cash Ensemble is open to all instruments and voices that perform at an intermediate level. In this class we will explore the storied legacy of the beloved American singer/songwriter, Johnny Cash. Join us each week as we explore the wide range of themes in Johnny’s music: love, religion, murder, and prison, to name a few. We’ll read excerpts, hear stories, and learn songs-- and put it all together for a jam! Whether you’re a longtime lover or first-time dabbler, Johnny Cash ensemble has something for everyone

This Workshop / Jam is open to all instruments and voices. Join us, as we explore many different styles and genres, songs and stories, words and beliefs, and much, much more… of our beloved, American Songster, JOHNNYCASH. In this workshop we will examine several songs pertaining to different ‘Topics’, (i.e. Love, God, Murder, Trains, Prison… ). We’ll briefly discuss and examine each song, then we’ll play and sing it together as a group. Whether you’re a long time lover, or simply longing to discover, This workshop is for You! Let’s have some FUN - Learnin’, Singin’, and Playin’ the Music of ‘The Man in Black’, Johnny Cash.

Dig deep into the history of rock & roll, from Jump blues to disco. Look into all the dusty corners and find out how much there still is to learn . . . and play. DRUMMERS BY TEACHER PERMISSION ONLY

Learn the hits of Weezer in an ensemble setting! This class is open to voice, guitar, bass, and drums. Take on the music of River Cuomo and the boys from Kenosha. Work on tunes from the Blue, Green & Red albums, Hurley and everything in between. From “Buddy Holly” to Pork and Beans.”

Open to all skill levels. Bring an instrument. Join members of The Bridge, a transatlantic network for jazz and creative music connecting artists between France and Chicago for an immersive workshop on the concepts of musical improvisation. The musicians will expose the different North American and European approaches to improvisation: how to spontaneously build and compose music based on group interaction. Exercises will allow participants to understand values such as the importance of silence, space and placement, how to listen to oneself and others simultaneously, how to intervene and what are the mechanisms of decision making in the moment; etc. This workshop will be hosted by The Bridge musicians Etienne Ziemniak (French drummer) & Justin Dillard (Chicago keyboard player). The Bridge is supported by Ministère de la Culture, Sacem, Centre National de la Musique, Spedidam, Adami, Institut Français, Experimental Sound Studio & University of Chicago.