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 - 2027 Classes

  • Music for Little Sprouts

    Ages 1.5-4 yrs with caregiver

    Session 1: 9/19 - 11/7
    Session 2: 1/9 - 3/6
    Session 3: 4/17 - 6/12
    Summer Session TBD

    Saturdays 11:15 - 12:00
    Tuition: $175 or $25 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

    Session 1: 9/16 - 11/4
    Session 2: 1/6 - 3/3
    Session 3: 4/15 - 6/10
    Summer Session TBD

    Wednesdays 4:15 - 4:45
    Tuition: $125 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.

  • Youth Beginning Piano

    Ages 10 - 12

    Session 1: 9/16 - 11/4
    Session 2: 1/6 - 3/3
    Session 3: 4/15 - 6/10
    Summer Session TBD

    Wednesdays 4:45 - 5:30
    Tuition: $175 or $25 per class

    This piano class is aimed for older kiddos and will train their ears to recognize pitch and play it back on piano, build hand formations for piano techniques, and their minds to think outside the box and invent their own original tunes.

  • Adult Ukulele Jam

    Ages 18+
    EVERY WEEK
    Thursdays 12:30 - 1:30
    Tuition: $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!

  • Youth Band Development

    Ages 12+

    Session 1: 9/16 - 11/4
    Session 2: 1/6 - 3/3
    Session 3: 4/15 - 6/10
    Summer Session TBD


    Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:00

    Tuition: $225 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.

  • Adult Rock Band

    Ages 18+

    Session 1: 9/15 - 11/3
    Session 2: 1/5 - 3/2
    Session 3: 4/13 - 6/8
    Summer Session TBD

    TBD 6:00 - 7:00
    Tuition: $225 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+

    Session 1: 9/16 - 11/4
    Session 2: 1/6 - 3/3
    Session 3: 4/14 - 6/9
    Summer Session TBD

    Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:30
    Tuition: $225 or $30 per class

    Have a song you are excited to record? This group introduces musicians and non-musicians to recording techniques as well as how to produce songs on their own. Led by audio engineer Bob Lane, you will go through how to record different instruments and mix them together using Logic Pro X. 

  • Magic Violins

    Ages 3-6

    Session 1: 9/18 - 11/6
    Session 2: 1/8 - 3/5
    Session 3: 4/16 - 6/11
    Summer Session TBD

    Fridays 3:30 - 4:00
    Tuition: $125 or $20 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

    Session 1: 9/18 - 11/6
    Session 2: 1/8 - 3/5
    Session 3: 4/16 - 6/11
    Summer Session TBD

    Fridays 4:00 - 4:45
    Tuition: $175 or $25 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+

    Session 1: 9/18 - 11/6
    Session 2: 1/8 - 3/5
    Session 3: 4/16 - 6/11
    Summer Session TBD

    Fridays 4:45 - 5:30
    Tuition: $175 or $25 per class

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

  • Bass Clef Club

    Intermediate to Advanced

    Session 1: 9/19 - 11/7
    Session 2: 1/9 - 3/6
    Session 3: 4/17 - 6/12
    Summer Session TBD

    Saturdays 2:00 - 3:30
    Tuition: $275 or $35 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

    Session 1: 9/18 - 11/6
    Session 2: 1/8 - 3/5
    Session 3: 4/16 - 6/11
    Summer Session TBD

    Fridays 5:30 - 7:00
    Tuition: $275 or $35 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.

  • Finding Your Voice : Emerging Voices

    Ages 7 - 9

    Session 1: TBD
    Session 2: TBD
    Session 3: TBD
    Summer Intensive TBD

    Mondays 4:30 - 5:45

    Tuition: $175

    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.

  • Finding Your Voice : Rising Stars

    Ages 10 - 14

    Session 1: 9/14 - 11/2
    Session 2: 1/4 - 3/1
    Session 3: 4/12 - 6/7
    Summer Intensive TBD

    Mondays 4:30 - 6:00

    Tuition: $225

    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 are no classes 2/15 or 4/19.

  • Finding Your Voice : Onstage Live

    Ages 16+

    Session 1: 9/14 - 11/2
    Session 2: 1/4 - 3/1
    Session 3: 4/12 - 6/7
    Summer Intensive TBD

    Mondays 6:30 - 8:00

    Tuition: $375

    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 are no classes 2/15 or 4/19.