Grafton – Apple Tree Arts has announced several youth summer programs that will offer students the opportunity to play in a band or ensemble group.
“We are offering older elementary-aged and middle school students the opportunity to play an instrument in a fun collaborative group with two new programs,” said Donna Blanchard, the organization’s executive director. “The Summer Youth Band is for musicians who play band instruments and Jam Band is for students who play bass, guitar, brass, percussion and saxophone. Our Youth Flute Ensemble will continue this summer, too.”
Directed by Angie Crockwell, guest artist at Apple Tree Arts and instrumental band director at Millbury Street Elementary School in Grafton, the Summer Youth Band gives musicians the chance to perform together in a fun, casual atmosphere. It will meet three times a week for two weeks from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting Tuesday, July 14. Students with two years’ experience playing a band instrument are welcome to join the group. Students will polish their ensemble and individual performance skills with a variety of music-related activities. Traditional band literature, Broadway show songs and light pop tunes will be played.
Grafton resident Russell Jewell’s energy and enthusiasm for teaching youth drives him to want to offer young musicians the opportunity to play in ensemble.
“Often there is not an organized music program for students that want to play bass, guitar, brass and drum sets,” he said. “In the Jam Band, we will be jamming, playing groove music, improvising and exploring new music and learning how to do ensemble work.”
The six-week session is for students entering grades five to eight and will run for six weeks meeting one evening a week for an hour. The program starts July 14.
The school’s Youth Flute Ensemble for beginning and intermediate flutists is also meeting this summer. The group will play movie theme music and focus on ensemble playing. The six-week session for musicians entering grades four and up meets once a week and is directed by well-known flutist Amy Carroll.
Registration is ongoing for these summer programs. Call Apple Tree Arts at 508-839-4286 or visit www.appletreearts.org for more details.
Founded in 1989, Apple Tree Arts, a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization has grown to serve over 1,000 children and adults annually with early childhood music classes, group keyboard lessons, private music and voice instruction, ensembles, theatre arts programs and community concerts.
