Community Group Classes

BMS’s Community Group Classes are generously funded by the Feigenbaum Foundation, the Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires, Appelbaum-Kahn Foundation, Lee Bank Foundation, Greylock Federal Credit Union, and the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Community Group Classes are offered on a pay-what-you-wish basis. 

Tuition is listed separately for each class. When you register, we will discuss sliding scale options.


2026 Winter Classes

  • Music for Little Sprouts

    Ages 1.5-4 yrs with caregiver
    January 24 - May 2
    Saturdays 10:15 - 11:00
    Tuition: $275 or $20 per class

    This class introduces our youngest students, accompanied by an adult, to a wide array of music from all different genres and origins through an equally wide array of fun, age-appropriate, student-oriented activities.

  • Youth Beginning Piano

    Age 6-9
    January 21 - April 22
    Wednesdays 4:30 - 5:15
    Tuition: $275 or $20 per class

    Immersion in music is essential for children of all ages! This piano class for kids will train young students’ ears to recognize pitch and play it back on piano, their hands to form the correct shapes for piano technique, and their minds to think outside the box and invent their own original tunes.

  • Adult Ukulele Jam

    Ages 18+
    January 8 - April 23
    Thursdays 12:30 - 1:30
    Tuition: $350 or $25 per class

    Are you craving a little music on your lunch break? Come to a fun and informal ukulele jam session. Don’t know how to play the uke? No worries, we can start you from square one and soon you’ll be strumming along! Your song suggestions are always welcome as we continuously build our repertoire. Need a uke? We’ve got one for you!

  • Teen Rock Band

    Ages 12+
    February 5 - May 7
    Thursdays 6:00 - 7:00
    Tuition: $350 or $30 per class

    Get a tutorial on how to be in a band! For guitars, basses, drums, vocalists and keys, though all instruments are welcome! Rehearse, work on stage presence, and listen to each other play and interact musically. Three teachers offer a wealth of information from their experiences as performers and band leaders.

  • Adult Rock Band

    Ages 18+
    February 3 - May 5
    Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:00
    Tuition: $350 or $30 per class

    Led by BMS Faculty Member Jim Wojtaszek, this group is for adults (21+) who are interested in getting together to create music in a band setting. For guitars, basses, drums, vocalists, keys, and any other instruments that may be interested in joining.

  • Recording Fundamentals

    Ages 14+
    January 21 - April 22
    Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:30
    Tuition: $350 or $25 per class

    More information coming soon!

  • Magic Violins

    Ages 3-6
    January 30 - May 8
    Fridays 3:30 - 4:00
    Tuition: $175 or $12.50 per class

    In the Suzuki Method, parents and teachers work closely together to create a nurturing environment to achieve success. This is a process, and it is in this process that we achieve our true goals of a child's lifelong character development.

  • Presto Ensemble

    Ages 6+ with caregiver
    January 30 - May 8
    Fridays 4:00 - 4:45
    Tuition: $275 or $20 per class

    Presto Ensemble is a elementary violin group for children, with caregivers encouraged to participate. Students should have one year of violin experience or permission from the teacher, Bing Liu.

  • Allegro

    Ages 7+
    January 30 - May 8
    Fridays 4:45 - 5:30
    Tuition: $275 or $20 per class

    Young musicians with some prior string knowledge come together for a first chamber ensemble experience!

  • Bass Clef Club

    Dates coming soon!
    Saturdays 2:00 - 3:30
    Tuition: $525 or $37.50 per class

    For cello and bass — play music with your fellow bass clef musicians. Teacher Annabelle Hoffman creates pieces of all genres as you work to hone your listening skills. Culminates in a performance for family and friends.

  • String Orchestra

    Intermediate to Advanced
    January 30 - May 8
    Fridays 5:30 - 7:00
    Tuition: $525 or $37.50 per class

    The BMS Orchestra invites musicians of all ages to have fun making music together.

Special Programming

Special programming is not available on a pay-what-you-wish basis.

  • Emerging Voices

    Ages 7 - 9
    January 12 - March 2
    Mondays 4:30 - 5:45

    Tuition: $150

    This is a fun introduction for kids aged 7-9 to discover their singing voices. Participants will gain confidence, practice vocal skills, and learn stage presence through solo and group performances. A special showcase for family and friends will follow the final class.

    This a six week course - there is no class 1/19/26 or 2/16/26.

  • Finding Your Voice : Rising Stars

    Ages 10 - 14
    March 16 - May 11
    Mondays 4:30 - 6:00

    Tuition: $199

    Elevate your vocal confidence with Sherri James Buxton's workshop! Gain insights into stage presence, microphone technique, choosing music, and preparing for auditions in a supportive setting. The class ends with a special performance for family and friends! Limited space available!

    This an eight week course - there is no class 4/20/26.

  • Finding Your Voice : Onstage Live

    Ages 16+
    March 16 - May 18
    Mondays 6:30 - 8:00

    Tuition: $399

    Professional singer, Sherri James Buxton, along with accompanist, Bob Shepherd, teach phrasing, style, microphone technique and stage presence. This workshop empowers singers of all abilities to learn how to choose appropriate music and keys. The session ends with a performance for family and friends.

    This is an eight week course - there is no class 4/20/26 or 5/11/26.