Saturday, September 12, 2026
Explore over 25 classes and ensembles for free!
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MONDAY, 9/7!
Try out a class or ensemble for free from our wide range of early childhood, youth, teen, and adult offerings.
When you sign up for Free Class Day, you’ll meet our incredible faculty, have all your questions answered by helpful staff, and get a taste of the many learning opportunities we have here at Groton Hill.
Space fills up fast so register today!
Our teachers are the best the region has to offer, and they care deeply about the art of learning, about mentoring students, and about helping you achieve your musical goals.
Multiple sessions of popular classes
Instruments provided
Answers to all your questions
No cost, no obligation
Explore the full list of classes and ensembles below to get inspired.
Prospective students are not required to register for a class before attending Free Class Day, but you are more than welcome to.
Singing together creates confidence, connection, and joy! Under the direction of our award-winning Director, Kathy McMinn, and Youth Chorus Assistant Director Julia Lorenzetti, young singers will learn healthy vocal technique and musicianship skills in an enjoyable class experience grouped by age. There is also a strong focus on teamwork and personal development. No experience necessary.
Join our contemporary vocal ensemble for teens to strengthen your vocal technique, stage presence, and performance confidence through solo and group work. As a member of Color Theory, you’ll explore your favorite songs from a wide range of genres, including a cappella, pop, jazz, and soul! In addition to performance, the ensemble will engage in ear training, improvisation, and circle-singing exercises that sharpen listening and collaboration skills.
Experience the power of pure vocal harmony in Collective Resonance, our new auditioned ensemble of dedicated adult singers. Song selections will span a range of styles, including a cappella, pop, neo-soul, R&B, or jazz, as well as original music! Join us as we bring contemporary repertoire to life, delivering polished performances in Groton Hill’s world-class facility.
The Groton Hill Rock Choir brings together singers of all ages and abilities in collaborative rehearsals and performances, celebrating popular rock, soul, and R&B classics, hits, and current favorites! Under the leadership of director Sara Durkin, members explore the intricacies of harmony, lyrics, and rhythm as they build their technical foundation. Winter and spring performances take place on the beautiful Concert Hall stage, accompanied by a live band!
Join a relaxed, non-auditioned chorus in our state-of-the-art facility! This welcoming afternoon ensemble offers singers the opportunity to build vocal confidence and healthy singing habits while enjoying beloved repertoire from across the decades. Participants will share their music with family, friends, and the community in our world-class recital hall.
Students enrolled in Finding Your Voice are especially encouraged to participate as a way to reinforce and apply the skills learned in class.
No experience required.
Our newest adult ensemble, the New Horizons Daytime Strings, rehearses on Tuesday mornings. Although geared towards string players new to playing in an ensemble, players of all ability levels are welcome. Whether you’re looking to improve your technique, learn new repertoire, or simply enjoy playing in a string ensemble, the New Horizons Daytime Strings offers an enriching and fulfilling experience.
The New Horizons Daytime Strings will immerse learners in vibrant classical and popular repertoire, while developing essential music interpretation, collaboration, and leadership skills. Winter and spring performances will offer participants a chance to share their artistry with family and friends in Groton Hill’s world-class performance spaces.
Learners enrolled in private lessons are especially encouraged to participate as a way to reinforce and apply their skills in a supportive environment that blends musical exploration, historical context, and ensemble collaboration.
Open to violin, viola, cello, and double bass. No audition required. Join anytime!
Canto is the place for our littlest singers to start making music together in this new 10-week course! With fun songs and musical games that teach them how to listen and blend with others, we put a strong focus on learning healthy singing skills by using our voices independently and as part of a group.
This class is a great introduction to our Youth Chorus program, which starts at age five.
Have a foot-stomping, hand-clapping, drum-beating good time! Drum Buddies is a great first music or ensemble experience for young beginners. Students will gain an understanding of rhythm in a fun way – using hands, feet, household objects (plastic bowls, coffee cans), and percussion instruments. Drum Buddies will be different every session so students can take it multiple times in preparation for starting private lessons.
This 10-week course for one- to four-year-olds (and their families!) introduces kids to the joy of playing instruments, singing, and movement. With the help of simple songs, little ones will make new friends as families learn how they can continue the musical bonding at home.
This program was designed by music therapists and child development experts, and is taught by our own early childhood music specialists.
Learn the basics of guitar playing: proper technique, simple melodic lines, basic chords, and strumming. Play along with familiar songs in a variety of styles. No previous music background required. Introduction to guitar tablature and basic note-reading included.
Students must supply their own acoustic or electric guitar for this class. For young players, our teachers recommend nylon strings as they are softer and easier on the fingers.
Beginners with no previous experience learn the basics of playing piano and music reading skills, plus engaging group activities using supplemental rhythm instruments and movement.
Ukulele is the perfect precursor to guitar study for young children but also a fun and versatile instrument in its own right. Students will learn instrument basics and simple songs to play with their classmates, culminating in a sharing of their new skills for their families. Students must purchase a soprano ukulele for this class. We recommend brands like Cordoba, Kala, Fender, or Donner.
Have a foot-stomping, hand-clapping, drum-beating good time! Drum Buddies is a great first music or ensemble experience for young beginners. Students will gain an understanding of rhythm in a fun way – using hands, feet, household objects (plastic bowls, coffee cans), and percussion instruments. Drum Buddies will be different every session so students can take it multiple times in preparation for starting private lessons.
Fun with mallets! With instructor Kelsey Olden, learn how to play simple, fun songs on xylophones, glockenspiels and handbells. These easy-to-play instruments help children focus on rhythm and melody to learn musical concepts in a playful manner, leaving them inspired to get creative and improvise!
This class is great for students who have already taken Drum Buddies, or students who are looking for an introduction to percussion instruments in preparation for Rhythm & Tunes or Private Lessons.
Instruments are provided. No additional equipment is needed!
Find your groove in our drumming class for beginners! Develop basic drum technique, coordination and listening skills as you play together through different styles of popular music. No previous music or drumming experience required.
Get hands-on exposure to the world of percussion instruments! You’ll learn fundamental rudiments and technique using drum pads, then apply those skills across a wide range of instruments–including snare drum, auxiliary percussion (triangles, cymbals, tambourine, etc.), mallet percussion (marimba, vibraphone, xylophone), and timpani. Designed as an immersive and collaborative experience, this course is an excellent supplement for students in their middle school band program or a Groton Hill ensemble. Each 10-week session will introduce new instruments, so students can enroll for one session or all three!
Fall: snare drum and auxiliary percussion
Winter: snare drum and mallet percussion
Spring: snare drum and timpani
No percussion experience is needed. Beginners are welcome, as are students who have started in their school band and are looking for more guidance and experience.
Never had the chance to learn guitar? This 10-week class welcomes you into a supportive group environment where you can begin learning together. You’ll be taught the basics of proper technique, simple melodic lines, basic chords, and strumming. Instructor Aaron Jay Myers will lead you through familiar songs in a variety of styles as you are introduced to guitar tablature and note-reading.
A piano or 88-key keyboard is required for at-home practice.
If you’re just starting out or have only had a little experience with the ukulele, our beginner class will give you a strong foundation in the basics – note-reading, tablature, chords, strumming patterns, and more.
Unlike many other instruments, hand drums are easy to learn. After you’ve taken this class, you’ll be ready to join a drum circle and feel right at home! Designed for adult beginners, faculty member Dave Curry will teach you how to produce a good sound, read and write drumming notation, and play in a group setting. Class time will be a mix of structured learning and jam time to experiment!
This class will focus on the West African djembe drum, which will be supplied by the instructor (though you’re welcome to bring your own if you have one).
Songwriting doesn’t have to be a solitary effort. Beginners and experienced songwriters alike are welcome to join instructor Scott Murphy in this exploration of songwriting essentials. By focusing on storytelling and musicality, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the craft and your own creative process.
Songwriting I is for students who are interested in writing their own songs but don’t know where to begin. We will analyze song structure across various styles and decades, and focus on topics centered on the musicality of language, lyric-writing, song form, building chords and chord progressions, rhythm and groove, making melodies, and writing effectively for the voice.
Music Therapy Q&A: 11:45-12:30 PM
Interested in learning more about our new Music Therapy program? Come meet board-certified music therapist Kylie Elliot at Free Class Day, get an overview of the program and ask any questions you may have! Just check the box on the form to register for free.
We offer a wide range of musical experiences, focused on mentorship, development, and creativity. Over 2,000 students enjoy private lessons, classes, rehearsals, and performances in our inspirational setting, with unique opportunities that bring education and performance together in ways that are uniquely possible at Groton Hill.
Our dynamic learning spaces encourage you to enjoy the process, with 35 state-of-the-art teaching studios, and 2 world-class performance halls, acoustically tuned for a warm, vibrant sound.