Ensemble Options

Ensembles provide opportunities for students of all ages to jam, improvise, and learn collectively. In these 60-minute classes, students study different instruments to create a band experience over the course of the semester.

We strongly recommend students who would like to enroll in a group also enroll in private lessons. To help facilitate this, MCMA offers a 10% discount on ensemble registrations for any students who also study privately.

If you are interested in joining an ensemble, please send us a message to inquire about availability and skill or instrument fit.

If you are looking for a particular option and don’t see it, let us know what you’re looking for! We create our ensembles based on interest and demand.

Spring session begins February 3
This is the ideal ensemble for the adult who has always wanted to experiment with other musicians and learn how to play in an ensemble setting. Join this ensemble and explore a wide variety of genres, learn how to improvise and communicate with other musicians, learn music theory, and build your own personal confidence by learning to take musical risks with improvisation.
Instructor: Amory Raymond
Prerequisites: For adults with a baseline of theory who are comfortable on at least one instrument
Suggested Ages: 16+
Mondays, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm.
Spring session begins February 6
This is the perfect ensemble for the adult who wants to learn how to play in an ensemble setting. Join this ensemble and explore a wide variety of genres, learn how to improvise and communicate with other musicians, learn music theory, and build your own personal confidence by learning to take musical risks with improvisation.
Instructor: Tom Luther
Prerequisites: For adults with a baseline of theory who are comfortable on at least one instrument
Suggested Ages: 16+
Thursdays 6:30 pm -7:30 pm.
Spring session begins February 5
Ages 11 - 16
With Khaya Cohen
Wednesdays 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Spring session begins February 5
Using a variety of hand percussion instruments, this ensemble will explore the traditional and modern rhythms of West Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Instructor: Jeff Densmore
Open to all ages
Wednesdays, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm pm
Spring session begins February 6
MCMA’s Jazz Ensemble takes a group-centered approach and gives students a chance to play jazz -- and its related sub genres -- in a supportive learning environment, with an emphasis on topics not often covered in school programs. Students are counseled and encouraged to improvise, sight read, and become exposed to new styles and new modes of creating music.
Instructor: Tom Luther
Suggested Ages: 12 - 18
Prerequisites: Comfortable with your instrument and willing to take risks
Thursdays, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm.
Spring session begins February 7
Exploring music is always more fun with friends, especially when everyone has a chance to find their voice. The MCMA Youth Choir is open to students aged 8-12 to learn more about singing in a group, exploring new music and genres, and making friends along the way. Not only is it a great opportunity to sharpen musical skills, but choir is a wonderful way to have fun! Together, we’ll be exploring many different genres of part singing, how to listen to and for each other, and how to work together to create something beautiful.
Instructor - Amelia Campbell
Ages 8 - 12
Fridays, 4 pm - 5 pm
Spring session begins February 4
The ideal ensemble for the budding rock star! This weekly ensemble is open to students who play guitar, bass, drum set, keys, or vocals. Students will study fundamentals such as understanding song arrangement of rock classics, theory, performance techniques, and improvisation. This class will not only focus on developing individual musicianship, but also the application of skills in a group setting with a strong emphasis on team-building.
Instructor: Amory Raymond
Suggested Ages: 11+
When: Tuesdays: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Spring semester start date February 4
The Boom Squad is a boom whacker performance ensemble, where learners will work as a team to create their favorite songs collaboratively, like the THUD ensemble at Harvard. Students of any background are welcome regardless of experience.
Instructor: Heather Beers
Ages 9 - 12
Tuesdays, 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm