Concord Conservatory of MusicConcord Conservatory of MusicWe believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of making music together from the start of their musical journey. Our West Side Strings Program offers young musicians a range of group classes tailored to their age and skill levels.
West Side Strings caters to both beginners who are embarking on their exciting musical path and advanced beginners who already love making music with other like-minded musicians. Upon completing the West Side Strings Program, students are prepared to join our Overture String Orchestra and other youth orchestra programs. Each group class performs at least two concerts annually and will have opportunities to take part in community events, such as performances at senior living centers.
In the West Side Strings Program, we intentionally keep our class size small.
This allows us to create a close-knit, friendly community of immersive learning where students receive individual attention while fostering strong relationships with faculty members and fellow musicians. We build an atmosphere of patience, trust, and empathy so that students feel comfortable taking risks and learn to celebrate the process as they acquire skills of music-making.
We believe in creating a holistic and nurturing environment, where students develop and enhance their ensemble skills through a rigorous study of ensemble literature and improve their overall musicianship through a variety of engaging workshops and activities. Throughout the year, we welcome guest instructors and teaching artists so that students can benefit from a diverse array of perspectives and expertise.
We believe that making music with peers is much more than just fun. Playing in a musical ensemble, much like participating in a sports team, allows students to foster the ability to work and collaborate with others, as well as discover the joy of making music together. Students will not only hone an awareness of blend and balance in terms of intonation, style, phrasing, and character, but will also practice working towards a common goal with others based on connection and trust.
All West Side Strings group classes take place on Friday.
Spruce Class – Violin, 4:00-4:50 pm (Ages 5 – 7)
Spruce class is open to novice violin students who have studied the violin for a year or less and would like to build a strong foundation of violin playing and basic musicianship in a warm and friendly environment. This class is designed to teach ensemble skills in preparation for group performances, provide solo performance opportunities in a masterclass format, monitor and reinforce techniques from private lessons, and introduce music reading, theory, and ear training concepts and skills. Parent participation is required for students aged 6 and younger. Beginner violin students new to CCM must join the Spruce class for both the fall and winter/spring semesters.
Oak Class, 4:00-4:50 pm (Ages 6 – 8)
Oak class is open to beginning violin, viola, and cello students. Students placed in this class have generally studied their instrument for at least 1 year and have a basic understanding of the technical rudiments of their instrument. This class is designed to continue developing ensemble skills, provide solo performance opportunities in a masterclass format, and continue to develop theory, rhythmic and ear training skills.
Maple Class, 4:50-5:40 pm (Ages 7 – 9)
Maple class is open to advanced beginning violin, viola, and cello students. Students placed in this class have generally studied their instrument for at least 2 years and have a solid technical foundation on their instrument and can read music well. This class is designed to develop ensemble skills in a more intensive and focused structure and provide solo performance opportunities in a masterclass format. Upon the completion of Maple class, students will be well-equipped to join our Overture String Orchestra, where they may take on a leading role.
Spruce Class – Viola, 5:40-6:30 pm (Ages 8-10)
Spruce class welcomes novice viola students who have studied the viola for a year or less and want to build a solid foundation in viola playing and basic musicianship in a friendly, close-knit environment. The class focuses on teaching ensemble skills in preparation for group performances, offering solo performance opportunities in a masterclass format, and covering a wide range of music reading, theory, rhythmic, and ear training skills. It also gives our beginner viola students the chance to play beautiful melodies in an ensemble setting, which is often rare in larger orchestra programs. Upon completing Spruce class – Viola, students will be well-equipped to join either the Maple class or Overture String Orchestra.
Please note: New CCM beginner violin and viola students must join a Spruce Group Class for both the fall and winter/spring semesters. The program includes 17 private 30-minute lessons and 15 group classes, with a semester tuition of $1,466.
For more information and to register, please call (978) 369-0010 or email us.