Strings

Community School of Music and Arts Instrumental Ensembles

Learn to play music together! Beginning and intermediate ensembles for strings, wind, brass, percussion. Beginning Level Prereq: 1-2 yrs of private instruction; no prior ensemble experience required. Intermediate Level Prereq: 3-4 yrs of private instruction; 1 yr of ensemble training. Leads to youth orchestra, band, jazz combos, chamber music. Pianists may join as opportunities arise.

Community Music Center Latin-Flaminco Ensemble (Potingue)

Play Cuban, Latin American and Flamenco music and learn how to use traditional concepts and styles to create contemporary music. Improve your improvisational skills and deepen your understanding of these forms. The focus of the Latin-Flamenco ensemble will be on the development of advanced arrangements and the preparation of a cohesive group for public performances. This ensemble performs under the name Potingue, which means “an unusual mix” in Spanish. There will be winter and spring performances at CMC and other shows around the Bay Area.

Community Music Center Middle Eastern, Turkish and Eastern European Music

Learn to play Asian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European music, including Klezmer and Balkan styles. Music scale systems and maqams will be studied in the context of selected tunes. Improvisations (taqsims/preludes/doinas) will be attempted according to traditional practices. There will be various performance opportunities throughout the year.