Little Music Makers and Budding Artists (18 mos – preschool)

Winchester Community Music School is teaming up with Studio on the Common to offer a special art and music class for preschool age children and their caregivers! Running for five weeks, each hour-long class will include 30 minutes of music and 30 minutes of art. Class size will be limited to 15 parent/child pairs per session. All activities will be appropriate for the range of preschool ages with assistance from their caregivers. Bring a friend and a cup of coffee, and come join us to see what the fun is all about!

Register online at Studio on the Common (see links below), or call (781) 721-1023.

Dates:  October 21, 28, November 4, 18, 25

Cost:  $125 for 5 weeks

Times:  9:00 - 10:00 AM  (register online)

Location:  Studio on the Common, 22 Church Street, Winchester

Join us for an acoustic evening of Americana classics – blues, Bluegrass, and classic hits that twang! This jam session offers a great entry level experience for those who want to learn how to play with each other in a jam setting, as well as being appropriate for more accomplished or advanced players. Songs are projected onto a screen to help you follow along, and host Steve Latanision will be on hand to help with chords and scales. We'll start with 20-30 well known Americana genre tunes to choose from (including Angel from Montgomery, Old Joe Clark, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Friend of the Devil, and Rider). You can add your own favorite song if you bring a legible lead sheet. Note that this is an all acoustic evening – bring out your guitars, banjos, mandolins, and fiddles. We're also on MeetUp!

FREE event

Would you like to improve your sight reading ability? For students who are preparing for auditions, sight reading is often the most challenging part of the process. In this 90-minute session at Winchester Community Music School, oboe faculty member Kyoko Hida will work with students on sight reading technique. We will practice sight reading rhythm patterns without instruments, and then work on sight reading examples similar to those you might encounter in a live audition. All woodwind and brass students from sixth grade through adult are welcome. Please bring your instrument and etude book you are using in your lessons.

Free for WCMS students; $10 for general public. Call 781-721-2950, email us, or stop by the WCMS office to register.

Join us for FAN's Halloween Horribles Parade in Winchester Center! We're looking for musicians in grades 6-12 to help us lead the parade (in costume!). Percussion, winds, and brass players wanted - sign up in the front office. We'll serve up some spooky music and hand out music makers for the little ones. Meet behind Town Hall.

Would you like to volunteer for this event, but not play an instrument in the parade? Wear your costume and join the fun! There are two opportunities to help out: during the parade itself, when we need adults and teens to hand out kazoos and march with the WCMS banner; and helping at the WCMS table at the family party at Town Hall. Sign up online here!

Run-throughs for Broadway On Highland performers will begin at 6:30 pm. Click here for more information.

If you love Broadway, come over to WCMS and sing your favorite Broadway hit or join the crowd during our sing-along numbers. All ages and ability levels are welcome! Singers from beginners to seasoned professionals are cordially invited to strut their stuff during this fun evening. Solo, duo, trio, or family act? We're happy to include you.

Sign-ups for performers and run-throughs with the accompanist take place from 6:30-7:30 PM on the evening of the event, first come-first served.

Guidelines for Performers:

• You don't need to be memorized, but your selection should be well-prepared.
• Bring your sheet music (no lead sheets) and a copy for one of our fabulous accompanists. Your piano music must be in the key in which you plan to sing.
• Casual dress—no costumes, please!
• Please arrive at 6:30 PM on the evening of the event to sign up for a single run-through with an accompanist.

Free and open to the public. Nichols Hall.

Click here for more details.

Saturday, October 19, 3:30 – 5:00 PM (youth):  Register by October 12
Saturday, November 2, 3:30 – 5:00 PM (adults):  Register by October 26

Open to all WCMS private voice students! Please join us for a master class presented by Music Theory instructor Vartan Aghababian and hosted by Voice Department chair Norina Rowen. This workshop is a great choice for any singer who wants to gain a firm grasp on music theory and become a more empowered, well-rounded musician. The session will cover key signatures and the circle of fifths, in combination with solfege and ear-training for vocalists. Mastering these concepts is an important step toward developing strong sight-singing skills and independence in learning repertoire.

Register by phone, email, or in the front office. Free.

Join us for a casual evening of Open Mic music at The FULLer CUP, 11 Thompson Street in downtown Winchester (across from Starbucks). All ages, all instruments, and all types of acoustic music are welcome! Individual or small duo/trio performances are encouraged. Hosted by Winchester Community Music School. For more information, call 781-721-2950. We are also on MeetUp! See you there!

Registration deadline: November 4.

For high school students trying out for the MMEA Senior District and All-State Festivals. This workshop will provide a wealth of information about the audition process including how to prepare, manage nerves, and develop presentation skills. Students will divide into vocal and instrument groups to perform for adjudicators and receive constructive feedback on their solos, scales, and sight-reading. 

Open to all; you do not need to be enrolled at WCMS to participate. $25 per participant. Call 781-721-2950 or stop by the front office for more information or to reserve a space. Pre-registration is required by November 4.