WEST BARNSTABLE, MA — January 26, 2024
Cape Symphony is pleased to announce spring semester classes for adults, young adults and children at our West Barnstable and Falmouth campuses. The spring semester runs January 31 – June 15, 2024.
“We are particularly excited to expand our class offerings for different age groups,” says Director of Education Jennifer Rabold. “We’ve got Cape Symphony Singers and Percussion Explorers for elementary children, Songwriting for middle and high school students, and Singing Seniors for ages 55+. We’re also offering an intergenerational drumming circle for ages 0-99 called I’ve Got Rhythm!”
Music classes and ensembles, dance instruction, wellness classes, and private lessons at Cape Symphony are all led by highly qualified, experienced, kind, and supportive faculty.
Offerings for adults include beginning and intermediate Intro to Piano, for those who’ve always wanted to learn how to play for their own enjoyment. Adult ensembles, including Flute Choir and Flute Quintet, led by Cape Symphony flutist Mariellen Sears, and Seaside Strings, led by Lary Chaplan, offer the opportunity to make beautiful music in a group focused on your instrument.
Singing Seniors is a joyful gathering with no musical experience required! Local favorite instructor Dawna Hammers makes singing together easy and fun.
In our Mind-Body-Music workshops, Mitigate Stress With Music and The Music in Nature, adult students explore music as a vehicle for inspiring joy through the practice of wellness, learning how to combat stress by eliciting the relaxation response with their favorite music. Students learn to play the kalimba, and receive an instrument to use at home.
Cape Symphony has classes for children of every age and stage. In Creative Seeds Family Music, students ages 0-4 with a caregiver sing, dance, play instruments and enjoy the creative process, planting the seeds for their musical growth and development. Piano Explorers is for ages 5-12, and creates the perfect bridge to life-long music education. In Percussion Explorers, students ages 5-7 learn about rhythm patterns and dynamics with different percussion instruments. I’ve Got Rhythm! is Cape Symphony’s new intergenerational family circle of sound, using drums and percussion instruments from around the world.
In Cape Symphony Singers, students ages 5-10 learn how to sing on pitch and in harmony, and to breathe, relax and expand their vocal range. They will sing beautiful, fun songs and rounds of various styles.
Suzuki Group Class is a supplement to Cape Symphony’s highly acclaimed weekly private lessons in the Suzuki method of violin instruction, taught by Yoko Waynen. In the group setting, students ages 3-12 lay the foundation for ensemble playing, perfect their intonation, and develop as musicians.
Another new class at Cape Symphony is Songwriting, for middle and high school students. In this collaborative class, students will write their own music with encouragement through the compositional process, and learn about form, harmony, phrasing, and other songwriting techniques.
Two ensembles for newer students have been added to the Cape Symphony Youth Orchestra Program this year: Primary Stings is specifically designed for younger students (grades K-3) to learn the basics of playing in an ensemble, and Debut Winds is for beginning woodwind and brass players who aspire to play in Repertory Winds or the Cape Symphony Youth Orchestra, but need a bit more experience first.
On the dance side, Cape Symphony offers a diverse and comprehensive program for students of all ages, led by our Director of Dance, Michelle Chwastiak. The program begins with Ballet Buddies for ages 1.5 to 4 years, and continues all the way through Repertory and Company Ballet. Contemporary, Hip Hop and Tap classes are also offered. Adult Tap Dance is for adults with some tap experience. Students can participate either standing or from a seated position. Registration for Adult Tap is available for drop-in classes (any eight sessions).
Cape Symphony offers private lessons year-round for children and adults, from beginning through advanced levels in all major instruments and voice. An expert faculty with a wide range of diverse talents and personalities ensures the best possible student/teacher match. Recitals are held at the end of each semester, with community performance opportunities offered throughout the year.
“The heartbeat of Cape Symphony lies in our commitment to nurturing the musical talents of our community members,” says Cape Symphony’s Executive Director Michael Albaugh. “Our Education programming offers a diverse range of opportunities for students of all ages to develop their skills, explore new horizons, forge lasting friendships, and experience joy through the power of music. If you, your children, or grandchildren want to try something new and fun this spring, please join us!”
Cape Symphony’s West Barnstable campus is at 2235 Iyannough Road. Our Falmouth campus is at 60 Highfield Drive. For more information about Cape Symphony’s spring semester offerings, and to register, visit capesymphony.org/education/classes. With questions, please contact Education Director Jennifer Rabold at 774-470-2282,ext. 202.
Media Contact:
Susan Sundermeyer, Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator
774-470-2282; ssundermeyer@capesymphony.org
About Cape Symphony
At Cape Symphony, our mission is to Inspire Joy. We do this through outstanding entertainment and educational programs. Cape Cod’s very own professional orchestra performs at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center in Hyannis. From popular hits to magnificent classics, highlighting hidden gems and putting a new twist on standards, the emphasis is always on fun, surprises, and beautiful music. Cape Symphony’s commitment to education for all ages includes private lessons, dance instruction, music classes, voice, and ensembles at our West Barnstable and Falmouth campuses and online. Our acclaimed Cape Symphony Preschool is known for its holistic approach to learning and arts-infused curriculum. Through its “Cape Symphony Presents” programming, Cape Symphony introduces a diverse array of engaging artists and touring ensembles of all genres to communities across the Cape. Visit www.capesymphony.org for more information.
