Join us for caroling!
The Takoma Park Presbyterian Church choir and friends invite singers and non-singers to join in singing christmas carols to celebrate this special season.
Bring yourselves, bring your friends.
No experience required – all welcome.
Tag Archives: music
Finding Melodies on Your Instrument with Ira Gitlin
Saturday, November 19, 10:30 – 12:30 PM EST
Whether you’re playing lead or rhythm, being able to find melodies on your own is an essential skill for any instrumentalist. We’ll explore techniques for finding the notes you hear in your head, so you can forge the connections between your ears, brain, hands, and fingerboard, making you a better and more self-sufficient player.
This workshop is open to ALL string instruments!
SMT’S NEW STUDIO LOCATION!
7112 Willow Ave
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Takoma SPARK will be SMT’s new home base starting in November.
All private lessons, group classes & workshops, and jams will occur at SPARK. And we are already cooking up some new events to host in our large event space, including open mics and a performance series! Stay tuned!
INSTRUMENT RENTALS
Students may elect to rent an instrument from the House of Musical Traditions, depending on availability.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
REGISTRATION POLICY
We require a minimum of 3 attendees for all group classes & workshops. Classes will be cancelled if we have not met the 3-person minimum 72 hours in advance of the start time.
In the event of a cancellation, you may choose between either (1) a full refund, or (2) a full credit to private lessons or a future workshop.
In the event the 3-person minimum has been met, registration remains open at a slightly higher cost for the final 72 hours before the class.
$55 Workshop
Bluegrass Day Special! Purchase both workshops for $100 (add both workshops to your cart, then enter code BUNDLE10 at checkout).
– Finding Melodies on Your Instrument with Ira Gitlin (https://www.schoolofmusicaltraditions.com/event/finding-melodies-on-your-instrument-with-ira-gitlin/)
– Exploring the Bluegrass Vocal Sound with Dede Wyland (https://www.schoolofmusicaltraditions.com/event/exploring-the-bluegrass-vocal-sound-with-dede-wyland/)
Takoma Park Community Band Holiday Concert
The Takoma Park Community Band will be performing a program of Holiday Music. Selections include the iconic Sleigh Ride, A Jammin’ Caribbean Christmas, Chanukah is Here, and many others, plus an audience sing along!
Carpe Diem! Community Sing!
Come sing together in community with wonderful song leaders! Fun for all ages!
Learn to Sing with Nick Cameron
Wednesdays, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 8:00 – 9:00 PM EST
Learn how to use your voice in a stress-free environment. Over the course of five weeks, we will cover the anatomy of the voice, warmups and stretches, how to use your vocal instrument and breathe with proper technique, and how to deliver an engaging performance. The class will practice singing a song as a group, and those who wish to develop a solo will have the no-pressure option to do so. Beyond developing your singing skills, this class will strengthen your speaking voice and improve your confidence.
The class will culminate in a casual performance; details determined with group input at the first class.
This class is open to new and returning students and features an extra 30 minutes at the first session for the new students. For ages 12+.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
LOCATION
Studio E2 @ House of Musical Traditions
7010 Westmoreland Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
$150 for 5 sessions
Songwriter’s Circle with Chris Ousley
Sundays, October 9, 16, 23, 30 3:00 – 4:00 PM EST
Budding writers and seasoned song-slingers are invited to come and shake open their creative process in this class. We’ll be showcasing and critiquing, collaborating and arranging, and ultimately having loads of fun and taking lots of chances. We’ll be writing a lot inside the class, but expect some light homework as well. All genres and instruments are welcome! We will have a keyboard available for use.
This class is open to all ages and levels of experience.
INSTRUMENT RENTALS
Students may elect to rent an instrument from the House of Musical Traditions, depending on availability.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
LOCATION
Studio E2 @ House of Musical Traditions
7010 Westmoreland Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
$125 for 4 sessions
Swing Uke n’ Guitar with Chris Ousley
Sundays, October 9, 16, 23, 30 4:00 – 5:00 PM EST
Let’s go on a deep dive into 1910s-1950s swing! Focus will be on rhythm, stylizations, and some light music theory. Students will get a chance to practicing soloing as well, and we’ll get to practice covering a modern tune in a swing style!
This class is geared towards students who have an intermediate mastery of their instrument, including the ability to change between chords fluidly while keeping time.
INSTRUMENT RENTALS
Students may elect to rent an instrument from the House of Musical Traditions, depending on availability.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
LOCATION
Studio E2 @ House of Musical Traditions
7010 Westmoreland Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
$125 for 4 sessions
Adult Old-Time String Band with Jonathan Vocke
Thursdays, November 17, December 1, 8, 15, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
This workshop is open to adults 18+ interested in learning how to play traditional string band music in a group setting. Over the course of our four meetings we will be learning and practicing 3-4 tunes.
This class is open to all instruments but band members should come to the class knowing the basic techniques to play their instruments. At the end of the class we may even perform a little concert for our friends and family members.
INSTRUMENT RENTALS
Students may elect to rent an instrument from the House of Musical Traditions, depending on availability.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
LOCATION
Studio E2 @ School of Musical Traditions
7010 Westmoreland Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
$125 for 4 sessions
Exploring the Bluegrass Vocal Sound with Dede Wyland
Saturday, November 19, 1:00 – 3:00 PM EST
Looking to develop a “bluegrassier” vocal sound? This workshop is for you!
The workshop will begin with a review of basic vocal tips and techniques that will help to open up your voice, improve range and enhance tone quality.
Secondly, you will learn how to develop an authentic bluegrass vocal sound without distorting or disguising your natural voice. We will focus on the six elements inherent to the bluegrass sound including: vocal production, phrasing, timing, syncopation, ornamentation and finding the right key.
This workshop is open to ages 16+ (students under the age of 16 should speak to us prior to registration).
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
Please note masks are required for all workshop attendees. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
LOCATION
Studio E2 @ House of Musical Traditions
7010 Westmoreland Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
$55 Workshop
Live Looping Workshop with Jeff Miller
Sunday, October 16, 1:00 – 3:00 PM EST
Are you “looper curious?” Have you owned a looping pedal for years, but aren’t as comfortable with it as you’d like to be? Want to become a one-wo/man-band?
This workshop will cover everything from the basics — such as what types of loopers are available and what they can do — to more in-depth topics. Techniques such as undo/redo, fading, “stutter” recording, and parallel, serial and backwards looping will be covered. Practical applications of how to use a looping pedal tastefully and artistically will be discussed, as well as ways to practice, and even how to use a looper itself as a practice & songwriting tool.
This workshop is appropriate for all levels, even those who don’t own a looping pedal. If time permits, we may work in a one-to-one setting, so feel free to bring your pedal if you have one, as well as an instrument or microphone of your choice. For ages 14+.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
LOCATION
Studio E2 @ House of Musical Traditions
7010 Westmoreland Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
“A total master of the loop/sampling pedal.” — Adrian Bischoff, KZSU
$50 Workshop
Introduction to Didgeridoo with Scott Morrison
Saturday, October 1, 5:00 – 7:00 PM EST
This workshop will introduce students to foundational techniques for playing the didgeridoo: barking, droning, tonguing, and more. We will also learn an introduction to circular breathing.
Participants are expected to have their own digeridoos.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
LOCATION
Studio E2 @ House of Musical Traditions
7010 Westmoreland Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
$50 Workshop
Beginner + Intermediate Bodhrán with Scott Morrison
Saturdays, September 24, October 1, 8, 15
3:00 – 4:00 PM (Beginner)
4:00 – 5:00 PM (Intermediate)
This class for beginners + intermediate players will introduce students to the world of the bodhrán. Students will learn to play reels and jigs, as well as how to take care of the instrument. Students will also learn basic patterns and techniques and apply them to real-time sessions, playing all types of Celtic music. Scott’s extensive expertise in Scottish and Irish culture shines through in the larger historical context he provides alongside instrumental instruction.
Participants are expected to have their own drums and tippers.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
LOCATION
Studio E2 @ House of Musical Traditions
7010 Westmoreland Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
$125 for 4 sessions