The Power of Play
Maybe you’re picking up your instrument again after having it stashed in the attic for years. Or you’ve been playing at the kitchen table and want to try being in a band. Or maybe you’ve been getting together with friends but need some structure and focus to actually get out there and play. Whatever the case, there is a place for you at Stillwater.
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Stillwater’s Community Bands are an opportunity for youth and adults to learn and play music together in a relaxed and fun environment.
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The Shining Stars/Spark Ensemble is an inclusive music and dance class that seeks to dissolve barriers and connect people with and without disabilities.
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Stillwater’s instructors engage students in the fun aspects of music, bringing in music theory and other technical aspects in the context of learning to play their instruments.
[Read More]Beginning to intermediate students in Animas Jam will explore an eclectic mix of music including but not limited to: Rock, Reggae, Blues, R&B, Soul, Funk, and Pop. If you would like to play music in a fun, supportive, and collaborative learning environment, this is the class for you!
Some experience is required and students interested should contact Ryan McCurry at [email protected] prior to registration.
This class covers classic and contemporary jazz compositions in an intimate combo setting.
Please contact Ryan McCurry before registering: (970) 946-8655, [email protected]
Rock and blues with a full horn line.
There are two sections of this class offered at different times. Please contact Steve Dejka before registering: 970‑769‑0171, [email protected]
Rock and blues with a full horn line.
There are two sections of this class offered at different times. Please contact Steve Dejka before registering: 970‑769‑0171, [email protected]
This class explores repertoire from American roots music styles such as folk, bluegrass, country and blues as well as some contemporary indie-folk and acoustic versions of popular songs. This performance-oriented class will be geared toward using mainly acoustic instruments. Arrangements will be tailored to the specific group instrumentation and may include extensive work with vocal harmonies.
Please contact Terry Double before registering: (970) 903-8738, [email protected]
Appropriate for middle school & high school students. Students will learn a variety of musical styles with an increasing emphasis on improvisation, and will begin to focus on one or two instruments. Students will continue to learn to read music, recognize and spell chords and play scales. Students are expected to take personal responsibility for practicing.
Students may sign up for either or both sessions.
During this week-long camp students will explore and practice various aspects involved in amplifying, mixing, and recording instruments and vocals in both live and studio settings. Subjects will include basic physics of sound, professional equipment use/care, Garage Band and Pro Tools, plug ins and effects, MIDI, professional mixing and console use, and much more. Students will have the opportunity to perform and engineer for each other and will produce finished recording samples to take home at the end of the week.
No experience necessary! Playing steel drums, marimba, vibraphone, keyboards and percussion, students will learn a set of songs to perform in an in-house performance on Friday at the end of our final class. This is a great entry level camp for kids wanting to experience a “band” setting.
Appropriate for students who have the social maturity to participate in a more complex band setting. Students in beginning combo classes begin to learn jazz & pop standards. They become familiar with basic music theory (chord/scale structure, basic improvisation) in the context of the songs the group is learning. Students have the opportunity to focus on several instruments if they choose, or to focus on a primary instrument. Students are required to practice at home in preparation for group performances.
If you’re not sure if you child is ready for a beginning combo level class, we recommend that you check in with music director Steve Dejka before registering.
Students may sign up for either or both sessions.
This combo group focuses on American blues and blues-oriented jazz. Participants are expected to have an good understanding of chords, blues scales and basic blues/jazz rhythms. This group is performance oriented.
Please contact Steve Dejka before registering: 970‑769‑0171, [email protected]
For upper elementary through middle school students, this camp focuses on singing unaccompanied rounds, simple melodies, two part harmonies and partner songs. We will also focus on beginning vocal technique and solfege. Participation requires that students be able to sing independently, in tune, and to sing melodic lines by ear. The camp will end with a performance for friends and family on Friday at 11:30 am (location TBD).
Instructor approval is required to enroll. For placement in this camp, or for any questions, please contact Bailey Barnes-Fagg at [email protected].
This camp will give students introductory experience in creating sound for film and television video. Using professional audio software, students will work in teams to create all sound needed to complete a short film excerpt (sound effects, music, and dialogue) for a short video. Students will have a copy of their completed project at the end of the week and we will schedule a screening of the video(s) for friends and family.
This is an entry level camp for students with little or no experience playing an instrument. We focus on having fun while learning to make music as a group. Students will be introduced to a variety of percussion instruments and rhythms. Many long-term Stillwater students started in this very camp.
An in-house performance will take place during the last 30 minutes of the Friday class.
Stillwater is excited to offer an inclusive music and dance camp for all ages and abilities. With highly qualified instructors assisted by volunteers, participants will receive instruction in creative dance and music-making. Musical instruments include but are not limited to congas, hand percussion, steel pan, piano, marimba, ukulele and drum set. Participants who wish may bring other instruments such as guitar, ukulele & wind instruments. The camp will end with a performance for friends and family on Friday at 11:00 am (location TBD).
This camp is for students with and without disabilities. For more information or any inquiries contact Bailey Barnes-Fagg.
The Stillwater All Stars band is a select group of students playing alongside Stillwater faculty members under the direction of Evan Suiter and Steve Dejka. This group tours and gigs during the summer months in the Four Corners Area. This summer the All Stars will have several performances in Durango, Bayfield and Dolores, and will once again perform at the Telluride Jazz Festival in early August.