Music

This course provides a vibrant introduction to the traditional West African rhythms and movements of the Mandingo and Wolof communities. Students will embark on a journey through both drumming and dancing disciplines, mastering intricate rhythms that will expand their musical vocabulary and enhance their dance techniques.

Weekly class will teach advanced clawhammer banjo techniques and repertoire on fretless and fretted banjos. Advanced right and Left hand techniques will be delved into and practiced over the course of the term. Three different tunings will be used and chords, techniques, and repertoire for each of these will be studied and practiced on a daily basis. In addition to time

Weekly class will teach advanced fiddle techniques and repertoire. Tutorial will cover repertoire from various regions: Québecois, Appalachia, Ireland, Scotland, Texas, Louisiana. And various traditional styles of fiddling: Bluegrass, Old-Time, Celtic, Western Swing, & Cajun. Guest teachers and field trips will be involved in our meetings throughout the term. A

Individual piano lessons for more advanced students.

A weekly 45 minute lessons time is arranged with the instructor.

This course is for students who have already taken an audio mixing course at Bennington. We explore the art and science of mixing and producing audio for both emergent immersive formats and traditional legacy platforms. 

Through critical listening,

Beginning, intermediate, or advanced group lessons on the 5-string banjo in the claw-hammer/frailing style. Students will learn to play using simple song sheets with chords, tablature, and standard notation. Using chord theory and scale work, personal music-making skills will be enhanced. History of the African origins of banjo and its introduction to the western world will

We will be looking at the microphone, cables, processing, and speakers that we use in the making of music and performance. There will be sonic drills to identify frequencies and processing. There will be memorization of cables and their uses. There will be memorization of microphones and their uses. If you are planning to work in the industry, the knowledge will help you

Advanced studies in theory relating to performance.

Students must be enrolled in Bass with Bisio (MIN4417) simultaneously, no exceptions. This class is only for advanced students and by permission of instructor.

Beginning to advanced lessons in bass technique and appropriate theory.

Bennington College Chamber Singers is a small, collaborative vocal ensemble focused on the craft of vocal chamber music. We’ll explore over 900 years of repertoire, from Medieval chant and Renaissance madrigals to Baroque oratorio, gems from the Classical and Romantic periods, and contemporary experimental vocal works!

Rehearsals will function as a shared

Select students who are enrolled in Bennington College Chamber Singers will be given the opportunity to be a section leader within their voice part. A section leader acts as the primary member for their section, leading with musical and logistical proficientcy. This experience expands the students musicality and helps gain teaching/leadership. Additionally, students will be

Correct posture for playing the guitar Several approaches to tuning the guitar

Twelve week study of twelve different guitarists of varying styles for awareness of the history of the guitar and the various styles the instrument is capable of. Enhances listening skills.

Introduces the fundamentals of guitar playing, including: posture, hand positions, tuning, chords, strumming, finger-picking, songs and tunes, major scales, and beginning to read music. History of the guitar and its past and current artists will be shared.

This course is for students who want to learn to play the piano.

Lessons are given on a one on one basis.

Each lesson is 20-25 minute-long.

If you have taken piano lessons, audition for Intermediate Piano.

The course is designed for students with no prior string instrument experience. Admission is on a first come first serve basis. Classes will be individual (usually 20-25 min. long). Daily practice (10-15 min.) is expected so students can become familiar and comfortable with the instrument.

This class gives composers hands-on practice notating their music and hearing it played by performers playing a variety of instruments. It is meant for fledgling composers, for those who may have composed a lot of music already but have trouble writing their music down, or for those who have never even imagined composing music but would like to try. There are specific

In the first half of the term students will compose pieces for the celebrated "Eighth Blackbird" ensemble, which consists of  flute(s), clarinet(s), piano, percussion, violin, and cello. In preparation for this, we will study a few important scores written for this combination of instruments. The ensemble will visit in November and read and record the

How do performing musicians develop their personal voices? The Swiss pedagogue Emile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865-1950) invented Eurhythmics to address this question. Specifically, we’ll focus on plastique animée, a movement practice that Dalcroze created for analyzing sound through movement. We’ll attempt to feel with our arms and legs what a

For the experienced (3+years of playing) violinist/violist. Lessons in traditional styles of fiddling – Quebecois, New England, Southern Appalachian, Scandinavian, Cajun, Irish, and Scottish. This course is designed to heighten awareness of the variety of ways the violin is played regionally and socially in North America (and indeed around the world) and to give practical

Instrumental Study on Guitar.  Continued studies from Beginning Guitar. Advanced study in fret-board harmony and theory.

Instrumental Study on Guitar. Continued studies from Beginning Guitar. Advanced study in fret-board harmony and theory, play in different tunings, increase chord vocabulary and repertoire.

This course is intended for students with some playing and reading experience.

Students will expand upon a repertoire of scales and chords.

They will study and learn to play selected compositions.

For students with some prior singing experience. This class is designed to refine awareness and coordination of the mind and body and develop a reliable vocal technique applicable to all styles of singing and speaking performance.  <

For students with some prior singing experience. This class is designed to refine awareness and coordination of the mind and body and develop a reliable vocal technique applicable to all styles of singing and speaking performance.  <