2011 Program List
Instrumental Music
Take part in a high-energy drumming ensemble where you’ll learn team work, communication skills, and rhythm. To end the semester, students will participate in a recital-style performance with members of the audience being invited to make music too. (Offered in spring, summer, & fall)
Rhythm is a movement and this is the group to move with. The ZUMIX Drumline will let you develop skills on the snare, tenor and bass drums with a team of other percussionists. Build your technique, confidence, and concentration as you march to the team’s cadence in parades and events. (Offered in spring, summer, & fall)
How does music work? Take an in-depth look at rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, and form while getting a chance to compose works of your own. Whether you are a guitarist, singer, pianist, songwriter, or rapper, your understanding of music and skill level will increase through this class. (Offered in spring)
(for our more advanced musicians)
These groups represent ZUMIX at public concerts and events and offer a taste of being a professional musician. Membership is by invitation only…so hone your skills if you are interested!
Annual Snowfall – all female rock band
Divercity Band – rock/pop
Latin Ensemble -- Latin
Mariposas – world music showcased by young performers
Motown Soul Ensemble
The ZUMIX Jazz Allstars – jazz standards with a modern flavor
For more information on ensembles, contact Kim Dawson at kdawson@zumix.org
If you are interested in performance ensembles please contact
Kimberly Dawson
617-568-9777
Offered year-round
Bass, Brass and Woodwinds, Drums, Guitar, Piano, Voice
Do you sing in the shower? Or anywhere at all? Are you looking for the perfect place to showcase your voice? If so, ZUMIX Vocal Group is for you. We explore vocal music in a variety of genres, while learning basic vocal technique, musical concepts, and performance practices. (Offered in spring, summer, & fall)
Z-Tech (music technology)
Learn how to produce music on the computer. Create your own original instrumental tracks or beats for vocalists to sing/rap over. Using computers you’ll learn about music theory, music production software, sampling, sequencing, and synthesizers. Hip-Hop, R&B, Reggaeton, Techno, experimental electronica – any music that interests you! (Offered in fall)
Rules have their place, but sometimes they're meant to be broken. Did you ever think music could be created with everyday objects, electronic gadgets, or chaotic sounds? Push the boundaries of your musical creativity to the edge and create original electronic music in an ensemble using computers. (Offered in spring)
Are you the type of person who likes to take things apart and put them back together again? Come learn basic audio technology repair, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Learn how to use specialized tools and equipment to build or fix cables and basic circuits. Then maybe you won’t get in trouble when you take apart your parents’ DVD player… (Offered in summer)
(restricted to graduates of Z-Tech Studio). You need: to keep your skills sharpened by getting professional hands-on experience in audio recording, editing, and mixing. ZUMIX needs: technicians to record studio albums of ZUMIX bands and local musicians. (Offered in spring, summer, & fall)
What goes on behind the scenes to make concerts work? Are you interested in controlling the equipment that gets the music to the audience? Join Z-TECH Live and learn how to set up the sound system for concerts, events, and festivals. Complete a summer internship to become a PAID technician for live concerts in our community. (Offered in spring)
Z-Tech Studio trains participants in the basics of Audio Engineering. Learn about the equipment, techniques, and people skills needed to become a great recording engineer. The artist can create the “magic” but it takes someone with great ears and skills to capture it. Could that be you? (Offered in summer)
Songwriting & Performance
Wanna be a b-boy, b-girl or breaker? Come lock down the basics of toprock, downrock, power moves, and suicides/freezes. If you get your skillz down you can see how they hold up by bringing them into a battle. (Offered in summer)
Keep with the current and the styles of Latin dance. You will learn how to tighten your moves in salsa, merengue, and bachata on your own and with a partner. The class will finish with a choreographed performance. Open to all levels of dance experience. (Offered in spring, summer, & fall)
Hip Hop at ZUMIX is back. This is a drop-in class that offers you the chance to work on your performance skills and to create, build and produce with others. Make time for your inner-artist. This group will incorporate all elements of Hip Hop (rapping, breakdancing, graffiti) and participants will be encouraged to produce work and direct events to showcase their talents and build community. Come by any Friday and check it out.
Craft your thoughts, feelings and ideas into a music video. You will not only write your own music, but learn to conceive, direct, and edit your own music video. It doesn't matter if you are a poet, lyricist, emcee, musician, break-dancer, aspiring filmmaker, or are just curious to learn about how music and video come together. Become part of the movement of empowered young people using arts and technology to create change. (Offered in spring)
A unique opportunity to play in a live band! Come together with people who have different tastes in music to play rock and roll, hip hop, or Latin covers, and your own originals. Each band rehearses weekly and will be given opportunities to play in live gig(s)! This is a chance to discover what it takes to be in a band. (Offered in spring, summer, & fall)
As the weather heats up, kids hit the street. Those who are musical and creative are invited to join the Street Program. This songwriting & performance series gives developing young artists opportunities to write songs, produce music, showcase their other artistic talents, and perform for other teens in an action-packed tour that includes performances in Boston, Vermont, and other venues around New England! (Offered in summer)
Have you ever dreamed of recording your own music? In StreetWise you learn how to write, produce, and record original music. Your songs will express what you want to say. Together, the class will produce an original album available to the public. (offered in fall)
Theater is an art where music, dancing, and acting all come together. If you are an actor, artist, or musician, this is a great chance to learn the basics of scene study, improvisation and stage design. This class will finish with a rehearsed production for a live audience. Come and learn what it takes to be a part of the exciting world of theater. (Offered in spring, summer, & fall)
ZUMIX Sprouts
Once upon a time there was a group of students who liked to act, sing, and dance. They met to act out different fables and fairytales, and presented them at the end of the semester to happy audiences. They had so much fun and lived happily ever after! To be a member of this fabulous cast, join Fairytales Alive! (Offered in spring, summer, & fall)
Calling all kids who like to sing! Spend your afternoons singing with others and for others! Improve your singing skills, sing songs from around the world, learn basic music theory concepts, and be part of a team that enjoys making music together! No previous experience needed, just your singing voice. (Offered in spring, summer & fall)
This is an exciting introduction to the magical world of music. Together, we will learn about fundamentals of music with a focus on rhythm and the music of different cultures. Come join this fun and exciting group of enthusiastic musicians! (Offered in summer)
Deep in the winter months it gets wicked cold outside…so cold that many people stay home as much as possible. This is a chance to bring the warmth of music to them. You will create and rehearse an original show of popular music and take it on a tour of local nursing homes. Warm-up yourself and others during this special experience. (Offered during winter months)
Zumix Radio
If you love music and you love to talk this is the program to check out. You will go live on the air with your own radio show. We will teach you how to run equipment, structure a program, and how to use your voice effectively over the airwaves. Join the growing roster of ZUMIX Radio hosts and develop a following for your own weekly radio show! (Offered in spring, summer, & fall)
Have you ever met a person, formed an opinion about them, and then later learned something about them that totally changed the way you see them or yourself? Everyone has stories! What are yours? In Transmit, we explore current media and what it means to be a media-maker and a story-teller. You will be trained to conduct interviews, edit content, and record on state-of-the-art equipment. All you need is a curiosity about the world around you and willingness to ask questions. What is your story? (Offered in spring, summer, & fall)
