FREE Community Concerts in Massachusetts

Make it a regular date with your family. Pack a picnic supper to enjoy while learning about jazz, blues, folk, classical, and many other musical styles. Not only is it quality, educational family time, it's free!
Bay State Parent magazine (www.baystateparent.com) has rounded up a sampling of the region's sweet serenades. If your community is not listed, please call your local town hall for concert information and then e-mail us at calendar@baystateparent.com



Concerts on the Common. Town Common, 75 Great Rd., Bedford. Thursdays, 7 p.m. Rain location: John Glenn Middle School Auditorium, 99 McMahon St.781-275-6310. www.bedfordrecreation.org.

Blackstone Valley Community Concert Band. Sun., July 13, Riverbend Farm in Uxbridge, 3:30 p.m. Thurs., July 24, Whitinsville Town Common, 6:30 p.m. Rain location: Northbridge Middle School Wed., July 30, Grafton Town Common, 7 p.m. Rain location: Grafton Municipal Building Sat., August 9 at the Sutton Town Common, 7 p.m. Visit www.UniBank.com for schedule updates.

Fort Point Channel Lunchtime Concert Series. Club Passim's Culture for Kids presents a FREE Outdoor Summer Music Series. Fridays, 12 - 1 p.m. on Children's Wharf, Boston: July 18 and August 1, 8, 22, & 29 Plus, free ice cream, compliments of Hood Dairy. For a complete list of performers visit www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org *Please note 7/25 & 8/15 concerts are scheduled for 6 p.m.

Special Live Concerts. Rowes Wharf, Boston Harbor Hotel, Boston. Fri., June 20 - Fri., Aug. 29. Summer Soul Tuesdays, 6 - 10 p.m., features different R & B and soul singers and their bands. Summer Swing Wednesdays, 6 - 10 p.m., features entertainment of various themes, ranging from a tribute to the legendary performers of big band to the sultry swing of jazz. Blues Barge Thursdays, 6 - 10 p.m., is held on a floating stage anchored behind the Boston Harbor Hotel. Hear some of the hottest local and national blues artists. Free. 617-439-7000. www.bhh.com.

Harborwalk Sounds. The Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston (ICA) and the Berklee College of Music, waterfront Putnam Investments Plaza at the ICA, Boston. Thursday evenings through Sept. 11, from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Rain Location: Indoors the ICA. Features rising stars in jazz, world, Latin and more. Relax on the harbor with a delicious drink from the Water Café and hot sounds from the coolest music school around. 617-478-3100 or www.icaboston.org.

Summer Concerts at Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park. Franklin Park Coalition, near the Franklin Park Zoo, behind White Stadium, Boston. Free summer concerts every Tuesday at 6 p.m. starting July 8. Opening night features renowned folk singer and Civil Rights activist, Odetta. Beginning July 15 concerts will be Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for children and evenings at 6 p.m. for the whole family. Go to www.franklinparkcoalition.org for a full summer program. 617-282-2881.

Concerts at the Hatch Shell. Charles River, Boston. Sat., July 12: WODS Oldies in Concert, 7 - 9:30 p.m.;Wed., July 16: Landmark Orchestra Concert Series - "Green Masterpieces", 7 p.m.; Wed., July 23: Landmark Orchestra Concert Series -"Gospel & Gershwin", 7 p.m.; Sat., July 26: WODS Oldies in Concert, 7 - 9:30 p.m. Wed., July 30: Landmark Orchestra Concert Series - "The Rite of Spring"; Sun., Aug. 3: Harvard University Band, 7 p.m.; Wed., Aug. 6: Landmark Orchestra Classical Concert Series Opera Highlights, 7 p.m. Free. www.hatchshell.com.

2008 Concert Series. Sundays in Coggshall Park, Fitchburg. 2 - 4 p.m. On the day of a concert, enter the park through the Electric Avenue entrance only. Exit will be via the two Mount Elam Road exits. Rain Dates: July 17 and Sept. 21. www.discoveryfitchburg.com

Concerts on the Common. Framingham. Fridays, July - August, 6:30 p.m. 508 532-5960. www.framinghamma.gov/parks/
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Summer Concert Series. Senior Center Lawn in front of the Bandstand, Main St., Holden. Sundays 6 - 8 p.m. www.townofholden.net

Voices of the Andes Concert. Wood Park, Park St., Hudson. Wed., July 16, 6:30 p.m. Free concert of soothing South American music. Rain location: Hudson Town Hall, 78 Main Street. www.upwitharts.org

Family Night at the Bandstand 2008. The Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra Milford Musicians Pavilion. Milford Town Park, corner of Congress & Walnut Streets, Milford. Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 508-478-5924. Rain dates the following Thursday

Art in the Parks. Needham Town Common. Thursdays, 7 p.m. Rain Location: John Eliot Elementary School Performance Center. Please note the change of location for this year, only, due to construction at Memorial Park www.needhamma.gov

Sunday Evening Heritage Festivals. Newton Centre Green, Newton. Sundays at 6:15 p.m. July 6: Rumbafrica - Boston's premier African dance band; July 13: InkasWasi - Combining music from the Andes and American with dancers in colorful Peruvian attire; July 20: Winiker Orchestra - Bill & Bo will trace highlights in American popular music from Ragtime to Hip Hop and all in between!; July 27: Black Sea Salsa - 15- piece band playing an original blend of Armenian music and Afro-Cuban jazz; Aug. 3: Clarence Thompson, Sr. and The New Spirits - Leading light's of Boston's gospel music with influences from the R&B and soul music Also Bob Bachelder's Totem Pole Orchestra will perform at Pellegrini Park in Nonantum on Wed., July 30, at 6:30 p.m. Rain location for July 30 is the adjacent gym. All other concerts cancelled in the event of rain. 617-527-8283; 617-527-8283. www.newtonpride.org.

Sunday Evening Concerts on the Common. Walter J. Dempsey Memorial Bandstand on the Town Common , Corner of Washington & Nahatan Streets, Norwood. Sundays, 7 - 9 p.m. Rain or shine. www.norwoodma.gov

Lakeside Concert Series. Memorial Park Beach Bandstand, Sharon. Wednesday nights, 7 p.m., throughout the summer. July 16- Dale & The Duds Classic Hits; July 23- Sharon. Community Band Selection of Family Favorites; July 30- Kadima Band Popular Jewish Songs; Aug. 6 - Four Guys in Tuxes Swing, Society and Classic Rock. E-mail: mlothrop@townofsharon.net

Southbridge Summer Concert Series for 2008. Free summer concerts at the Rotary (Route 131) in Southbridge on Sunday evenings. Concerts start between 5:30 and 6 p.m, July 6 - August 31. July 13 - Route 66 & Liz; July 20 - Macey & Hart; July 27 - East Woodstock Cornet Band; August 3 - Famingoes. www.southbridgeinfo.com

Sweet Summer Nights Music Series. Sweetwilliam Farm, Upton. Free weekly outdoor concerts Fridays 7 - 8:30 p.m. Features fine local and regional and national performing artists. Fun for the entire family. Spectacular sunsets! Bring a picnic dinner and blanket. 508-529-2000. Visit www.sweetwilliamfarm.biz for schedule.

Concerts on the Canal. River Bend Farm Visitor's Center, 287 Oak St., Uxbridge. Sundays, 3:30-5 p.m. Starts July 13. 508-278-7604.

Concerts on the Common. Sundays, 6 p.m. West Boylston. www.westboylston.com

Concerts at the Clark. 225 South St., Williamstown. Held at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute's expansive south lawn on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in July. Jae's at the Clark will sell barbeque fare and the galleries remain open until 6 p.m. on concert evenings. Rain Location: auditorium. Free. 413-458-2303 or www.clarkart.edu.

CONTEST: 4 Readers Will Win A Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker

Bay State Parent magazine has partnered with Jada Toys to giveaway 4 Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker (Retail value $29.99)
Do your tweens & teens love rock and roll? Do they dream of being a rock star when they grow up? If so, they need the new Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker to let them unleash their inner rock star – no video game system required! The Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker uses patented technology consisting of guitar picks and a rockin’ belt buckle that when connected to a wearable, mini-amplifier, allows anyone to freely jam - anytime, anywhere. With an air guitar in hand, the user waves the pick over the belt buckle sensor to determine the tempo of the song. Whether with friends, alone, or even after dinner with the family, every kid will be hooked on the Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker. The Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker is available for $29.99 (includes batteries) in retail stores nationwide, including Toys ‘R’ Us, Target, Best Buy & Wal-Mart,
To enter the Bay State Paent conest, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html
You could win a Guitar Roker for your son or daughter and your child might actually think you are cool!
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The deadline to enter is August 13 at 11:59 est.
Contest is open to Massachusetts residents only!
Winners' nams nd hometowns will be announced on this blog.
Winners MUST pick up their prize at the Bay State Parent magazine's main office on Elm Street in Millbury, Massachusetts. Prizes will NOT be mailed.
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WEEKEND PICK: CD Release Party Friday Night

Bay State mom Carrie Rowan is holding a CD release concert this Friday, June 28 at the Parish Center for Arts at 10 Lincoln St., in Westford, Massachusetts. The concert features the following amazing musicians to make this concert really rock (folk rock that is): Lori Diamond, Oen Kennedy, Seth Connelly, Adrienne Fawkes, Bill Derby, Phil Punch and Eric Kilburn. "How lucky am I to be playing with such talent!," said Rowan.
Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8 p.m.
For directions or more info go to www.westford.com/pca.
There is no coverage charge.
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June 23rd PODCAST by Boston Symphony Celebrates James Levine's 65th Birthday

The Boston Symphony Orchestra would like to wish its Music Director, Maestro James Levine, a Happy 65th Birthday on Monday, June 23 by offering a special podcast celebrating the Maestro's life in music on www.bso.org.
The podcast will feature historic pictures chronicling James Levine's extensive history within classical music, from his time as a young piano prodigy to his appointment as BSO Music Director, as well as music from his tenure with the BSO, including the Grammy Award winning Album with Lorraine Hunt, Peter Lieberson's "Neruda Songs."
The podcast will be available on his birthday, Monday June 23 by visiting www.bso.org and clicking on the RSS podcast link on the left.
Maestro Levine will begin his 2008 Tanglewood season on July 5. Highlights include Berlioz's Les Troyens in concert with the Boston Symphony Orchestra; Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin in concert with the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra; a fully staged Tanglewood Music Center production of Weill's Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny; a BSO concert of Elliott Carter's music as part of this summer's Festival of Contemporary Music marking the composer's 100th-birthday year, and John Harbison's new Symphony No. 5 with the BSO, as well as BSO performances of works by Bach, Brahms, Haydn, Mahler, Mozart, and Schubert.

ABOUT JAMES LEVINE: James Levine became 14th Music Director and the first American-born conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2004. In addition to his concerts with the BSO at Symphony Hall, at Tanglewood, and on tour, he appears as a collaborative pianist in recitals and chamber music, and leads classes devoted to orchestral repertoire, Lieder, and opera with the Instrumental, Vocal, and Conducting Fellows of the Tanglewood Music Center, the BSO's summer training program for young musicians. His wide-ranging programs balance orchestral, operatic, and choral classics with significant music of the 20th and 21st centuries, including newly commissioned works from such leading American composers as Milton Babbitt, Elliott Carter, John Harbison, Leon Kirchner, Peter Lieberson, Gunther Schuller, and Charles Wuorinen. James Levine is also Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera, where, to date, he has led nearly 2,500 performances- more than any other conductor in the company's history - of 83 different operas, including thirteen company premieres.
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Highlights of his forthcoming 2008-09 BSO season include a special Opening Night all-Russian program; Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem; the world premieres of BSO-commissioned works by Elliott Carter, Leon Kirchner, and Gunther Schuller; concert performances of Verdi's Simon Boccanegra; a selection of Mozart symphonies ranging from early works to the final three; Mahler's Symphony No. 6, and Tchaikovsky's Pathetique Symphony, as well as music of Beethoven, Berlioz, Boulez, Brahms, Messiaen, Schumann, and Stravinsky.
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CONTEST: Win the Soundtrack to Disney Channel's New Movie Camp Rock

Parents, brace yourselves.... if you have tween and teen girls in the house, you may lose the television this weekend to them. The DisneyChannel, you know the people who created the High School Musical phenomenon, is back this weekend with its newest creation -- CAMP ROCK, starring the latest tween and teen sensation the JONAS Brothers.
Camp Rock, which premiere's tonight on the Disney Channel, will premiere on network TV Saturday night on ABC, and have an encore presentation again on Sunday night on cable.
Just like the High School Musical franchise uses songs to tell much of its story, so does Camp Rock, with themes of believe in yourself, express yourself, and be proud of who you are.
Starring platinum-certified Hollywood Records' recording artists the Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, & Nick), and singer-songwriter-actress Demi Lobato, Camp Rock is the story of a talented yet unsure teen who yearns to share her songs with the world and of a tempestuous young superstar who's lost his passion for music and is sent packing by his band mates. Together, at a camp for aspiring young music artists, they learn to believe in themselves and to value the freedom to be who they really want to be.
The movie's soundtrack was released Tuesday on Buena Vista Records.

CONTEST DETAILS: Bay State Parent magazine is giving away 1 copy of the CD to one of its readers (Girls, that means your parents! I'm sure if you keep your room clean, they will give it to you, if they win)
To enter, fill out the magazine survey form at: http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html
Please, select OTHER in the pull down bar and in "Additional Comments" Write CAMP ROCK
The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 3 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
One winner will receive a copy of the CD (which was given to Bay State Parent magazine for review purposes.)
The CD will be mailed to the winner. The winner's name and hometown will be posted here.
Contest is open to residents of Massachusetts ONLY.
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Parents, feel free to post reviews of the Camp Rock movie here under comments:

WEEKEND PICK: Premiere Make Music Cambridge Festival

This Saturday, June 21 from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., about 100 local bands will take over Harvard Square on the first day of summer as the Cambridge area hosts the first-ever edition of "Make Music Cambridge", a free, outdoors, live-music festival for everyone, including families.
Starting at 1 p.m., musicians will take over the streets of Harvard Square to celebrate the first day of summer with music, from glass harmonica to electronic music. They will create a new urban experience, playing for the enjoyment of the passer-bys and the spectators, who will unplug their headphones and discover new sounds and new people.
Around 100 bands have signed up to perform, covering all styles: rock, Caribbean, blues, r&b, electro, latin, gypsy, folk, world fusion, jazz, a capella singing, and much more. They will play in 16 different spots on and around Harvard Square. The performers will rotate, some playing for half an hour, some for an hour, some for longer.
An information booth will be open throughout the event on Brattle Street at the entrance of Brattle Street.
At 10 p.m., a special outdoor edition of "The French Party" will take place in Winthrop Park, with a DJ coming from France. This great party will bring this year's festival to a close.
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Make Music Cambridge is inspired by the "Fête de la Musique" a street-music festival celebrating the beginning of the summer, which started 25 years ago in Paris. The "Fête de la Musique" is now celebrated, under many names, in more than 300 cities in 108 countries, from London to Beijing to Buenos Aires, all on the same day. New York's first edition took place last year. Cambridge can now be a part of this worldwide celebration!
Make Music Cambridge is made possible through a special partnership and the support of the Harvard Square Business Association, as well as the financial support of Marie Landel & Associates, the Cultural Services of the French Consulate in Boston, the International School of Boston (located in Cambridge), Boston Accueil, Boston French Party, and Function Drinks.
The Web site for this event is www.makemusiccambridge.com.
Check www.bostonfrenchparty.com for updates on the Winthrop Park party.

See the The Jimi Hendrix of the Ukulele Perform on Sunday, June 22

Following last season’s sold out appearance at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro returns for two concerts on Sunday, June 22. The performance times are 7 and 9 p.m.
(UPDATE: The 7 p.m. show is now sold out. 6/20/08 10:30 a.m.)
Renowned for his lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake says the ukulele is an “untapped source of music with unlimited potential.” Apparently, he’s right since his repertoire includes jazz, blues, funk, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, rock and classical genres. And although he mostly tours as a solo act, he’s flexible enough to perform with the Honolulu Symphony from time to time.
Experimenting with various guitar effect pedals, Jake creates sounds never thought possible on his tiny four-string, two-octave instrument. A true showman, his performances captivate audiences with intricate strumming and plucking, electrifying, high-energy grooves and smooth melodic ballads evoking heartfelt emotion. He is often referred to as the “Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele.”
Jake has toured with Jimmy Buffett and Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and has performed with everyone from Diana Krall to Bobby McFerrin to Les Paul.
Electric Guitar Review said it best when they wrote, “If God played the ukulele, it would sound something like this!” Come see for yourself what they mean.
Tickets are available by calling the Firehouse Box Office at 978-462-7336 or online at http://www.firehouse.org/ Admission is $22 for Firehouse members and $25 for non-members

Firehouse is an arts and culture member based organization located on the waterfront in Newburyport, with a 195 seat theater, which offers diverse programming including film, dance, theatre and concerts, children’s series, new works festival and has a gallery which exhibits works by local and international artists. The Firehouse is Handicap Accessible.

WEEKEND PICK: KIDZ Bop To Perform 3 Concerts in Massachusetts

I'm a big fan of the KIDZ BOP CDs. While it is great that Fergie taught my 6-year-old daughter to spell GLAMOROUS. I didn't want her to learn some of the other words on the star's hit song. That's where KIDS BOP comes in. Kids sing hit adult songs with kid-friendly lyrics. (For those of you unaware, sometimes the songs you hear on the radio are not the same versions you get when you purchase a CD. Several radio stations run "clean" versions of hit songs as opposed to the artist's CD versions.) With KIDZ BOP CDs, both mom and daughter can listen to popular music; and I don't have to worry about the lyrics - as they are now always "G-rated." Those singing kids are on tour this summer. KIDZ BOP LIVE will perform 3 concerts in Massachusetts between June 28 and July 2. KIDZ BOP launched its first-ever tour last fall with 40 tour dates, creating an exciting concert experience for kids. The KIDZ BOP LIVE show features today’s most popular songs, sung by kids for kids live on stage. The show includes songs from the best-selling KIDZ BOP CDs, the #1 children’s audio series in the country. (http://www.kidzbop.com/) The group is on ts 14th album!

KIDZ BOP LIVE, a rock concert for kids and parents alike, features six kids who sing and dance with a live band. The entire family will be playing air guitar and enjoying themselves. KIDZ BOP LIVE is a memorable concert experience for all. Produced by Kidz Bop LLC in association with Rogar Studios Live Entertainment, KIDZ BOP LIVE is choreographed by Kishaya who has choreographed videos for Ashanti, P. Diddy and Destiny’s Child and is the winner of an MTV Video Music Award for Gwen Stefani’s Hollaback Girl

ABOUT KIDZ BOP: Since the brand’s creation 7 years ago, KIDZ BOP has been the most popular, most recognized and most parent-friendly music product in the U.S. for kids aged 4-11, selling over 10.5 million CDs. KIDZ BOP CD titles have earned nine Gold-certified albums to date. The brand’s website, KIDZBOP.COM, has become a fast-growing online destination, where kids can create, share and watch a variety of content, including games and activities based on music and creativity.


KIDZ BOP LIVE tour dates:

JUNE
28 Cohasset, South Shore Music Circus, 5 p.m., $25 per ticket
29 Hyannis, Cape Cod Melody Tent, 5 p.m., $25 per ticket

JULY
2 Beverly, North Shore Music Theatre, 6 p.m., $25 or $30 per ticket, http://www.nsmt.og/

To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or call the box office for each venue above.

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Contest: Opportunity to Sing at Fenway Park and to sing National Anthem at a Lowell Spinners Game

The Lowell Spinners are hosting Spinners Idol on Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 15 at the Skybox Restaurant in Tewksbury.
The winner will have the opportunity to sing at Fenway Park before the "Futures at Fenway Game" on Saturday, August 9 and have the opportunity to perform the National Anthem prior to the 2008 Lowell Spinners opening night.
On top of both of those prizes the winner will receive complimentary studio time and a free demo tape from MusicBall Entertainment in Boston.
Additionally, all “Spinners Idol” finalists will be invited to sing the National Anthem prior to a 2008 Spinners home game.
To register for a time-slot, candidates must return the registration form posted at the Lowell Spinners website (www.lowellspinners.com).
The first 50 registrations for each night will be given the chance to audition. Each contestant may only audition once.
At this time, there is already 30+ people registered for each night, so don't wait to register.
It is free, but the organization CAN NOT accommodate more than 50 people per night, due to time constraints.

WEEKEND PICK: U2 in 3-D at the Aquarium

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day this weekend with, in my opinion, the greatest Irish band ever - U2.

Better than the front row, even better than backstage, this incredible IMAX film, at the New England Aquarium in Boston, puts viewers onstage with Bono and the rest of the band during U2’s Vertigo tour. The audience rocks out alongside U2 to all of the classic songs, including “Beautiful Day,” “Sunday, Bloody Sunday,” “Vertigo” and “With or Without You.”

Produced by National Geographic and filmed from a series of live concerts throughout South America, the film’s amazingly realistic 3D technology puts the audience face-to-face with the band as drum sticks, guitars and even the crowd appear close enough to touch.

Boston U2 fans are especially lucky: They can see the film on the same screen that The Edge watched it when he previewed the film - the New England Aquarium’s Simons IMAX Theatre.

"U2 3D” will not be released on DVD or shown on TV, so fans have a limited opportunity to relive the Vertigo tour.

Showtimes are:

Saturday, March 15 & Sunday, March 16 at 4:10, 6 , and 8 p.m., as well as Monday, St. Patrick's Day at 5:10 and 7:10 p.m.

Special pricing is in effect for this special presentation. To get tickets or for more information, visit http://www.neaq.org/visit/imax/index.php

Stoughton Mom Living Her Dream

Yesterday was a very busy day for Stoughton's Lori McKenna, a suburban mom of five. She performed the title track of her latest CD Unglamorous, which was released yesterday, on ABC's Good Morning America.
And last night, she performed an enthusiastic, if not rocking (both her and the boat) set on a cruise around Boston harbor for longtime fans and friends & family, sponsored by radio station 92.5, The River. Below are a few photos from the CD Launch Cruise.

McKenna, who has written hit songs for Country Superstar Faith Hill, toured with Hill and her superstar husband Tim McGraw earlier this year and McGraw co-produced Unglamorous.
McKenna was very charming last night, weaving personal tales between singing songs from her Warner Bros Nashville CD. She easily engaged and entertained the audience.
Her music is very appealing to moms, many of whom couldn't wait to have McKenna autograph a CD or pose for a photo with them.
An award-winning songwriter, she wrote three songs for Hill's Fireflies CD, including Stealing Kissses. McKenna, married to her husband since age 19, writes of everyday suburban life -- "crowded dinners at the kitchen table," "five kids in short time," and "baby stayed up all night."
My favorite two songs on the CD is the title track and I Know You.
Want to hear more of her music? Visit: http://wbrnashville.com/lorimckenna
McKenna will perform and sign CDs at Borders Thursday, Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. at Downtown Crossing in Boston and perform and sign again at 7 p.m. at Newbury Comics in Avon.

Freelance Writer Michelle Xiahros Curran profiles McKenna inside Bay State Parent magazine's 12th Annual Arts Guide next month. Her story of achieving her dream, I truly believe, is inspirational to our mom readers.

Free Concerts in Lexington on Sunday, June 10

Keys for Kids will hold 2 free, public concerts on Sunday, June 10 at Pilgrim's Congregational Church, 55 Coolidge Ave. in Lexington. Concert times are 2:30 and 4:45 p.m. Each concert will feature 3 to 4 group classes performing in the keyboard orchestra ensemble style and about 30 private piano students, ages 4 to adult. The first afternoon concert also will feature two small singing groups. The second concert will have a few guitar performances.
Keys for Kids is an engaging comprehensive group music program, designed to help children discover the world of music through music games, ear training, solfege singing, rhythm activities, and keyboard playing. Courses are designed to encourage development of both the individual's and the group's musical skills. Lessons are organized in a carefully planned sequence that guarantees fun and success. Class time activities cover many aspects of musicianship while accommodating children's attention spans. Children develop a solid musical foundation, regardless of future instrument choice. Classes are taught to small groups of parent-child teams. Groups are carefully organized according to children's age, skill level, and musical goals. Parents are encouraged (and for the youngest students, required) to learn along with their children. Each semester, students receive a new, exciting, and challenging book that includes music pieces, theory, sight-reading, ear training, and technique activities. Students who progress through each level will graduate as independent musicians who can read, write, perform, love, and understand music. The graduation performances at the end of each semester and annual recitals provide opportunities for students to perform. For more information on Keys for Kids visit http://www.keys-for-kids.com/Locations.html