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.

In a decade that made “alternative,” a word of ambiguous meaning, there were all kinds of music being made all over the world. Explore the rock, pop, soul, and funk of the 1990s, from the Afghan Whigs to PJ Harvey and Nick Cave to Massive Attack and My Bloody Valentine.

In a decade that made “alternative,” a word of ambiguous meaning, there were all kinds of music being made all over the world. Explore the rock, pop, soul, and funk of the 1990s, from the Afghan Whigs to PJ Harvey and Nick Cave to Massive Attack and My Bloody Valentine.

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!

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 - many of which differ significantly from their American counterparts. We will learn an entire album each session. 2023 Session 1: Let It Be; Session 2: Past Masters Part 1; Session 3: Past Masters Part 2.

The Beatles Ensemble continues their journey through the British releases - many of which differ significantly from their American counterparts. We will learn an entire album each session. 2023 Session 1: Let It Be; Session 2: Past Masters Part 1; Session 3: Past Masters Part 2.

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.

Black Keys/White Stripes Ensemble is rock and roll teaming of the best bluesy duos of the last 20 years. Each band has a solid catalog of hit singles and riff-oriented songs, and we’ll tackle the material for two full sessions. Come and learn to play “Hardest Button To Button,” “Blue Orchid,” “Seven Nation Army,” “Gold on The Ceiling,” “Little Black Submarine,”  “Howling For You,” “Your Touch,” and many more. A perfect outing for those who love blues-based riffs with garage rock attitudes. Studying these bands will enhance your timing and rhythmic feel. Come join the fun and make the sounds.

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

Toot your horn this summer! This class will meet 3 times (Fridays, June 23 and 30th from 6-7pm and July 7 from 6-8pm) and culminate by playing at the Square Roots Festival in a class parade down the street for all hear in true brass band style. If you've got a rusty old trumpet, horn, trombone, or tuba sitting around in your closet from those high school marching band days, this class might be for you. Too many brass players let their horns collect dust because they feel uncomfortable playing their instrument at the Old Town School and beyond. We want you to feel comfortable playing with other people so that we can hear the sweet sounds of brass floating through the halls. The focus of Brass Class will be to play melodies, build chords, work out harmonies, and create bass lines on your brass instrument....so come prepared for some brass-focused music theory. Students of intermediate and advanced skill levels welcome — you should come knowing fingerings/positions for all notes on your instrument and be ready to learn 3-5 tunes to play in a parade. (Parade date/time is still TBA, but will be July 8 or 9.) Come with a brass instrument and a pencil, leave with the confidence to toot your horn in public!

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!!

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.

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.

Immerse yourself in the high lonesome sound, the honky-tonk heartache, and a smattering of Sunday sanctification. We’ll teach you how to find those plaintive harmonies and create a soulful backup in the music of bands like the Carter Family, the Louvin Brothers, and Girls of the Golden West. Join with other pickers and singers to make a band . This is an ensemble class. Some students will work on lead, harmony and backup vocals, while others focus on lead and backup fiddle, mandolin or guitar lines. Rhythm guitar and bass provide the foundation. Paul Tyler and Gail Tyler will teach all the parts and coach you in performance.

Celebrate the life and career of one of the most beloved and revolutionary artists of the Rock Era. From the Anthony Newley-loving mime of Hunky Dory through Ziggy, the Thin White Duke, Berlin, and on through his ‘90s shape-shifting and the creative burst of his last years, learn and perform classics and deep cuts. DRUMMERS BY TEACHER PERMISSION ONLY

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?!

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?!

Zoom on into the Thursday Night Folk Songs class. In the virtual world, we'll study the songs and the people who have influenced and been influenced by old time music, country, folk, blues and bluegrass. While learning the histories of the songs and musicians, we'll work on creating our own arrangements in class. We'll work on learning by ear, not off the paper. Even though we can’t be together, we can still share good sounds via the wires. In class we'll explore the music of Hazel Dickens, Doc Watson, Mississippi John Hurt, Jean Ritchie and more. Each session will culminate into a final project that we call “Alone, Together”. We pick a song from our session and each record our parts from home, one of our wonderful participants takes all the parts and puts them into one video recording

Zoom on into the Thursday Night Folk Songs class. In the virtual world, we'll study the songs and the people who have influenced and been influenced by old time music, country, folk, blues and bluegrass. While learning the histories of the songs and musicians, we'll work on creating our own arrangements in class. We'll work on learning by ear, not off the paper. Even though we can’t be together, we can still share good sounds via the wires. In class we'll explore the music of Hazel Dickens, Doc Watson, Mississippi John Hurt, Jean Ritchie and more. Each session will culminate into a final project that we call “Alone, Together”. We pick a song from our session and each record our parts from home, one of our wonderful participants takes all the parts and puts them into one video recording

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!

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!

Professor Fulkerson continues his exploration of power pop groups with an overview of this dynamic ensemble. We’ll learn the songs, arrange them according to the ensemble’s dynamics and construct a set for performance.

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.

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 jam on what’s happening right now! We play rock, pop, and Americana tunes by bands like Walk the Moon, Florence and the Machine, The Lumineers, Feist, Alabama Shakes, Norah Jones, Fitz and the Tantrums, and more. Any tune less than 10 years old is game. What do YOU want to play? All vocalists and instrumentalists welcome. This class will be offered in a hybrid format. Students can choose to participate online or in person

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Break on through with the music of the dark side of LA's sunny ‘60s rock & roll scene. Learn classic guitar-drums-organ songs from their whole catalog (especially LA Woman), and dig the notoriously crazy poetry of Jim Morrison. DRUMMERS BY TEACHER PERMISSION ONLY

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

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. Sophie Agnel, one of the most renowned improvisers in Europe, who will be touring Chicago in April with The Bridge, is know for having turned the grand piano into a real living and vibrating organism. Classically trained, escaped from jazz (drawn away by the too strict treatment of harmony), she boards the piano from every sonic angle this musical vessel can offer : keys, strings and board are simultaneously apprehended, in a mixed procedure that would be understated if it was reduced to the cagian definition of the prepared piano. Considering the instrument – that she extends with several accessories, paper cups, balls or strings – as a poetic supplier of anamorphic textures, the musician takes it to be an equal match to the wider diversity of musical systems. During this workshop, which is not limited to pianists, Sophie Agnel will extend her understanding of these extended techniques, precisely, to collective improvisation situations. 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.