Step It Down!

With Mary Alice Amidon

For ages 3-5 and their caregivers
4 weeks: $80
Fridays – 11 am – 12 pm
Friday, Friday, October 30 – November 20
Scholarships available

 

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English Village Carols

Laurel Swift
6 week sessions: $130
Sundays – 6:00-7:30 pm
Start date: November 1, 2026
Tuition: $130
Scholarships available

Brattleboro Music Center and Upper Valley Music Center join forces to present a six week course exploring the joyful world of the English Village Carol.

There is a fantastic repertoire of seasonal carols that became separated from the church, and are still kept alive by communities in pubs and on the street, most famously in Sheffield, UK. They are also found in Derbyshire, Somerset, Dorset, Nottinghamshire – and in Glen Rock, PA! You will recognize some of these carols from Nowell Sing We Clear, Revels North, or Welcome Yule. Some carols will be familiar to English folk enthusiasts, and others will be brand new to everyone.

Come explore the catchy tunes of these carols: some rowdy, some haunting and somber. Many have fantastic fugal entries and all are a joy to sing. Many have religious text, although this is now a secular tradition. There will be familiar lyrics, obscure lyrics, and some lyrics that appear to have no festive content whatsoever. There is plenty of repetition for ease of joining in and gorgeous rich chords with space to add your own harmonies.

Printed music will be available but you do not need to read music to participate since teaching will be “by ear.” Participants will learn melody and bass lines, and be welcome to add harmonies, in preparation for some village carol sings in local pubs in December. Please note this is not a choir, it is a learning group with the opportunity to anchor a fabulous community sing at which all are welcome!

There will be public carol sings at area pubs along the CT River, with dates and details to follow.

The class is led by Laurel Swift, and is being offered both in Brattleboro, at the BMC, and in Lebanon, NH. Sign up at the BMC for the Brattleboro classes.

 

BMC String Orchestra

Director: Moby Pearson.
Intermediate to Advanced String Players
Tuesdays, 5:30 – 7 pm

Fall 2026 start date TBA
$85 per semester

Our most advanced student orchestra offers opportunity for committed string players to further challenge their playing and orchestral ensemble skills. Participants are playing 2-3 octave scales, reading in all keys, shifting and playing in at least 1st-3rd positions, aware of intonation and tone production, and are exploring dynamics and vibrato. From Bach and Bartok the the Beatles, the ensemble explores a wide repertoire and traditionally performs twice a year: Mid December and early June.

Registration is open on an on-going basis and the fee is $85 per semester.

BMC Youth String Ensemble

Director: Heather Sommerlad
For Intermediate String Players
Tuesdays, 4:30 – 5:30 at the BMC
Tuition: $65/semester

Scholarships available.

Students ready for the next level of challenge and growth after a year or two in the After School Program or private lessons will join other intermediate youth players in this ensemble.  Participants should be familiar with all first position finger patterns, have a good understanding of rhythmical figures, and be comfortable with different articulations and bow directions. If there is any question about level please get in touch –  we are happy to assist with placement!

The Youth String Ensemble typically holds an open rehearsal in December and concert performance in late May or early June.

Singing Strong

Singing Strong

Led by Susan Dedell and Becky Graber
Tuesdays 1:30 – 2:30.
Start date: September 29th
Tuition: $

Love to sing? Want to do it with others in a relaxed and fun setting?

Long time friends Susan Dedell and Becky Graber team up to lead the fun – singing some of the best music from the jazz and swing era on through the 60’s and 70’s; as well as great songs from musicals, folk songs, spirituals, and rounds. While the emphasis is on pure enjoyment, Singing Strong also encourages healthy singing with tips for range extension, more comfortable breathing, and more.   No prior singing experience or music reading is necessary. 

“Singing Strong is a wonderful exercise for both the body and the soul. I come away humming with joy. “

 

BMC Bravo Society

We are pleased to honor the following for their help during this past season:
Max Bady-Kaye, Jay Bailey, David Baker, Tanja Balsley, Matrix Balsley, Crager Boardman, Tim Callahan, Garrett Cameron, Lia Chasar, Andrée Collier, Laura Corbet, Jeremy Cox, Walter Cramer, Oliver Greene-Cramer, Cathie Creed, Wyatt Cudworth, Robin Davis, Becky Day, Bill Dixon, Kim Effron, Donna Francis, Bill Gottesman, Freddie Hart, Nancy Haydock, Richard Henke, Lynn Herzog, Jenny Holan, Rose Jackson, Candace Jensen, Susan Boyd Joyce, Laura Keeler, Elina Koumjian, Leo Koumjian, Susan Kunhardt, Lerna, Steven Lloyd, Meg Lyons, Joe Madison, Jim Maland, Cecil Maxfield, Joanne McClellen, Dot MacDonald, Helen Merena, Katrina Moore, Raquel Moreno, Elyse Norton, Chris Orlen, Kris Outwater, Ellen Peters, Kaylina Phoenix, Colette Phoenix, Deb Pierotti, Haley Pierson-Cox, Antje Ruppert, Lissa Schneckenburger, Alison Schoales, Paul Eric Smith, Laurel Swift, Mary Tyner, Alyssa Valerio, Rebecca Weiss, Hilary Weitzner, Betsy Whittaker and Betsy Williams.

The Brattleboro Music Center

72 Blanche Moyse Way
Brattleboro, VT  05301

(802) 257-4523

info@bmcvt.org

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