Taught by Dalcroze*-trained BCM veteran teacher, Mariya Spektor, this class introduces music in a fun and interactive manner. Students will engage in arts and crafts activities, including making their own instruments. They will be exposed to a variety of musical genres, and practice rhythm using simple hand instruments. This hour-long session for youngsters will include a 15-minute snack-time break. The summer semester will culminate with a group performance/demonstration at the August 29th Concert.

*Dalcroze is a method of using hand and foot movement to teach children who are too young to read.

Summer 2009 means rhythm is key! Music Appreciation for this energetic youth group will focus on an introduction to music history and appreciation with emphasis on rhythm and percussion skills. Rhythmic structures of various cultures will be sampled, including African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Asian, South American, and others. Students will have an opportunity to play on a variety of percussion instruments, from maracas and tambourines, to congas and bongos, to doumbeks and djembes, as well as preparing a group performance for the August 29th Concert. Class taught by Laura Jordan, PhD candidate in Percussion Performance, Peabody Conservatory.

Have you ever wondered just what makes the theme to "Star Wars" so great? In Summer 2009, the advanced Music Appreciation class will take a trip through cinematic music from Bernard Hermann's score to "North by Northwest" to Ennio Morricone, who wrote the scores for over 500 film and television productions, to Hans Zimmer (of the Lion King) this class will give an in depth survey of great American film music! A class project will culminate in a scoring event, with students collaborating to make a small score to a student-made video.

Students in the Beginner Music Composition class will use music theory concepts in order to create original compositions. BCM students will be exposed to traditional composition methods and then asked to create a work of their own to be performed by the group at the August 29th concert. This class will be staffed by Associate Director and BCM composer in residence, JoAnne Harris. No previous knowledge in music theory needed.

Also taught by JoAnne Harris, Music Composition for Advanced students offers older BCM students the opportunity to further their previous understanding of music theory concepts to create original works. For this class, students are required to have a working knowledge of music theory (must know keys, scales and how to build major and minor triads and seventh chords). Outstanding student compositions will be premiered at the August 29th concert.