Jazz/Rock Department
Jazz/Rock Department - Core Philosophy
South Shore Conservatory’s Jazz/Rock Department offers the very best in Jazz/ Rock music education including lessons and classes in Latin, funk, blues, and contemporary styles. Our programs and ensembles expose teen through adult students to jazz and rock standards, as well as contemporary charts, and provide a rich history of rock music from which any student can draw. Students experiment with improvisation throughout the range of course offerings. Ensemble playing is a featured part of our curriculum.
Jazz/Rock Department Chair - Ed Sorrentino
Ed Sorrentino received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Berklee College of Music. In addition to being a percussion instructor and Summer Music Festival Program Director at South Shore Conservatory, Ed is a regular performer with New England Percussion Ensemble, a trio of percussionists recognized as one of the most in demand groups for cultural enrichment in the region. He was recently recognized for his innovative work with adults and children with disabilities. Ed is also well known as a topnotch freelance drummer, something that requires him to wear a variety of musical hats and provide solid percussion for many of the area’s jazz, rock, dixie and show bands. Ed is also a certified drum circle facilitator.
PLEASE NOTE: Paying tuitions online with PayPal does not register you for programs and lessons. Click here to submit an online registration request or contact our Registrar to complete the registration process.
Jazz/Rock Department - Class Offerings
Basic Musicianship
Vartan Aghababian, Edwina Li, Margaret Li
Basic Musicianship is offered to all private lesson students to supplement their music literacy. These one hour classes review and teach basic elements of music such as keys and key signatures, time signatures, rhythms in various meters, form and basic solfege. Offered at various times during the week to accommodate student’s varying schedules. 12 weeks
All classes are 60 minutes
Hingham: Monday: 5:30, (7:00-adult), Wednesday: 2:30, 3:00,
Thursday: 3:00, 4:00, 5:30, 6:00, (7:00-adult)
Duxbury: Monday: 6:30, 7:15, 5:15, 6:45, (7:45-adult)
Be sure to let the registrar know at which time and location you wish to register.
Duxbury Registrar
(781) 934-2731 x10
Hingham Registrar
(781) 749-7565 x12
Spring Semester - $50 (classes sarts the week of March 15)
| Hingham | Duxbury |
Jazz for Classical Musicians
Chris Rathbun
Are you a classical musician who likes jazz? Are you 14 or older with intermediate or advanced skills? This 12-week class provides the skills to understand and play music in the jazz style. Learn how chord progressions work, basic phrasing and patterns drawn from Jazz pieces, become familiar with the language of jazz and how to apply it to your instrument. All instruments are welcome, including voice!
12 weeks starting September 22
Hingham: Tuesday 7:00-8:30 pm
$290
| Hingham: Tuesday, 7 - 8:30 pm |
Adult Jazz/Rock Ensemble
Ed Sorrentino
Contact Ed Sorrentino at 781-749-7565, ext. 21, for an audition time. 12 weeks Hingham: Tuesday 8-9 pm
$265
Jazz/Rock Honors Ensemble
Sponsored by Thordis and Gary Gulden
Ed Sorrentino
This ensemble represents the Conservatory and the Jazz/Rock Department at festivals and events. Instrumental and voice students are selected by audition. Students receive a 50% discount off the regular ensemble rates. Contact Ed Sorrentino at 781-749-7565, ext. 21 by September 25, 2009 for an audition time. 24 weeks
$265/year
NEW! "Girl Jam”
John McCarthy
Sorry boys! This rock group is just for girls age 12 and up. If you play guitar, bass, drums, piano, sax or trumpet and you want to have a great time jamming with other girls who love to rock and roll, this group is for you! Join us for 12 weeks of fun as you learn some basic techniques, standard rock tunes and how to play in a rock band.
Monday 6:30-7:30 pm Duxbury
$265
Groove Workshop
Jimmy Craven
In popular music, the term "groove" is defined as an understanding of rhythmic patterning that underlies the characteristic rhythmic “feel” of a piece. Designed to give students an opportunity to work with contemporary as well as popular rock, jazz, Latin and funk styles of music, this 12-week ensemble teaches students modern and traditional improvisation techniques, and concludes with a professionally-recorded performance. All rhythm instruments (piano, guitar, bass, drums, world percussion and mallets) including voice are encouraged to join.
Tuesday 6:45-7:45 pm Hingham
$265
NEW! World Music Ensemble/Drum Circle
Ed Sorrentino
WME is a hands-on, rhythm-based ensemble appropriate for all age groups. This fun, effective means of communicating through drums and percussion instruments will strengthen your listening and rhythm skills. The first 15 minutes of class will focus on drumming techniques so that we can make music for a full hour! 12 weeks
Thursday 6:00-7:00 pm Hingham
$85/person or $160/family
| $85/person | $160/family |
Beginner/Intermediate Percussion Ensemble
Ted Sajdyk
12 weeks
$265
| Hingham: Thursday, 6:30 - 7:30 pm |
Intermediate-Advanced Percussion Ensemble
Ed Sorrentino
12 weeks
$265
| Duxbury: Wednesday, 7 - 8 pm |
Advanced Percussion Ensemble
Sponsored by Mary Ellen and Peter Lawrence
Ed Sorrentino
12 weeks
$265
| Hingham: Saturday, 8 - 9 am |
Mallet Ensemble
Ed Sorrentino
This ensemble is designed to help students with reading melodies on mallet instruments. Most percussion students start with rhythms only and this group will take them to the next level.
12 weeks
$265
| TBA, contact Ed Sorrentino at (781) 749-7565 x21 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for private lessons for children whose families can document financial need. Application forms are available in the office and as a downloadable Word Document and must be filled out and returned prior to the first week of the semester. All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Committee, which meets before each semester to grant assistance. Recipients of scholarship aid must reapply each semester.
South Shore Conservatory admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.