Starting at age seven, Colburn offers percussion lessons with our renowned faculty.
To begin the process for individual lessons, please submit an inquiry form.
For students seeking performance experience, the Community School offers a variety of ensembles to build performance technique, collaboration, and a sense of community with other players.
Made up of three ensembles of sequential skill level, the band program accommodates players from beginning to advanced. The program uses engaging repertoire to focus on music reading and ensemble skills.
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Ages 13–18
Colburn Sinfonietta is a mid-sized ensemble of the Community School. This ensemble combines winds and strings to play works by composers, such as Beethoven and Haydn. The Colburn Sinfonietta accepts students 13-18 years old.
Colburn Youth Orchestra is the largest advanced ensemble of the Community School. This is a full symphonic orchestra with strings, winds, brass, and percussion. The Colburn Youth Orchestra accepts students 13-18 years old.
Students in middle and high school can build and expand upon private lessons with the Percussion Workshops. Activities will include solo performances, demonstrations of various performance techniques by Mr. McGrath, participation on various percussion topics, and master classes from guest artists. Each semester culminates in a recital of student and faculty performances. Class meets 14 weeks per semester which includes the end of semester recital.
If interested in the Percussion Workshops, please submit an inquiry form.
The Community School has several instrumental ensembles, including small combos and a Big Band each devoted to the performance of jazz repertoire and the development of musical concepts, improvisations, and compositions.
Colburn’s Adult Jazz Workshops consist of musicians who are proficient on their instruments and experienced in jazz studies. Various styles of jazz repertoire are explored and learned aurally along with discussion of theory and approaches to improvisation. This ensemble is a great opportunity to grow individually and as a cohesive unit in an encouraging, challenging environment. All instruments, including strings and vocalists, are welcome.
No rehearsals on 10/27 and 12/1. The final concert will take place on 12/15 at 5:30 pm in Mayman Hall.
Audition required for new students. Email Liz Kinnon at lkinnon@colburnschool.edu.
For those seeking engaging camps after the school year ends, the Community School offers programming to provide high-quality arts training for percussionists, including jazz camps and a dedicated percussion camp directed by Ken McGrath. Summer programming engages students ages nine through eighteen.