Spring Workshop 2024

Welcome to BandWorks workshops for adults. You have found the fountain of youth! Whether music is a hobby or a lifetime obsession, whether you are experienced or a beginner, we can place you in a band. Our community of dedicated musicians is excited to continue sharing the power of music with new musicians. Our passion is only growing as we develop and discover new ways to communicate and connect.

You can register now for our Spring Workshop 2024.
Bands begin rehearsals the week of January 29th!

A BandWorks’ workshop includes 16 hours of rehearsal with a professional instructor/coach and other musicians, and then a live performance at a local venue. When you register you put all the times you CAN make in your form.

We try to place every musician that registers in a band. We try match availability, experience, and of course, instrumentation. We take in other factors as well like musical taste and varied personal concerns, but we can’t hit every parameter for everyone. So not every fit is perfect, but people do a great job of working it out time and again. If we can’t place you in a band this workshop we recommend transferring to our next workshop – we host 4 a year – but we also offer a full refund.

Once you’ve got your band placement confirmation you’ll be set to begin rehearsals. You’ll jam for two hours each week, with one of our musician-instructors in a fully equipped professional music studio. After honing your sets, the band takes the stage and performs live at a popular local venue.

Time options are 4:15 to 6:15, 6:15 to 8:15 and 8:15 to 10:15 Monday through Thursday, plus 10:15 to 12:15. 12:15 to 2:15 and 2:15 to 4:15 on Saturdays. We do have bands on Fridays and Sundays as well, usually it’s established bands that have moved to those days, but it’s also possible if you have a group of 3 or more registering together. You will arrange the specifics of the rehearsal schedule with your instructor, or coach.

Some bands will rehearse without a member or sometimes even two, people do need to miss practice occasionally. We try to have make-up rehearsals when less than half the band is available, but it’s up to your instructor to determine what’s best for the group. Musicians can come in with friends, or we’ll build the entire band from scratch!  For questions please email us: info@bandworks.com.

 THE BANDWORKS EXPERIENCE

Over the course of 8 rehearsals, each band builds a set of songs to perform together – in popular music styles like rock, blues, pop, reggae, and funk. Students select the songs for each workshop and BandWorks helps them learn the tunes.  Students can peruse our extensive Song List for ideas, or suggest new ones.

Here are some of the things you get from a BandWorks’ workshop:

  • Your band is ready, your studio reserved, and the gig is only a couple months away!
  • Work closely with a professional musician-instructor/mentor in an intimate setting
  • Build self-confidence and develop your overall musicianship
  • Meet like-minded musicians interested in being in a band and building that relationship
  • Improve your understanding of and attention to dynamics and tempo
  • Learn to cue and communicate non-verbally in the moment
  • Figure out your process of communication and collaboration for original music
  • Learn how to bring your solos forward and build those melodic and rhythmic skills

After weeks of rehearsal, it’s time to hit the stage! Each BandWorks’ workshop concludes with a performance. Always a super fun, rocking event, this session-ending concert gives students an opportunity to put together everything they’ve learned—and to show off a little for friends and family. We stream your performance live on Facebook where it’s archived for you to share later.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

You can register now for our Spring Workshop 2024Once you’ve completed the online form, you will receive an automated receipt acknowledging your registration. You will receive email notification of your particular band placement a few days prior to classes starting. If we can’t place you this time, you can try again next workshop or get a full refund.

When you register, please indicate as many possible times that you will be able to meet with a band. Once the band is built, they will rehearse once a week for two hours, on the day, and at the time, that works for everyone. The more options you list increases your chances for placement.

REFUNDS AND DISCOUNTS

There is a $150 non-refundable fee on all registrations cancelled for any reason. There are no refunds after the second class. No refunds for missed classes or for missed concerts.  If we fail to place you in a band we refund your full tuition or transfer you to the next workshop.

Families with two or more members participating in any classes during the same session will receive a $25 discount per each additional family member who signs up.

Bands meet based on the options chosen and availability of members and instructors. Please indicate all possible availability on your registration form to give us the most flexibility in placing you in a band. Make up rehearsals are scheduled at the individual instructor’s discretion.

Current Concert Information

Class LocationDateTimeVenue
East Bay Youth
Marin Youth & Adults
East Bay Adults
Sunday 3/24/24
Monday 3/25/24
Wednesdays 3/20 & 3/27/24
10am to 4pm
5:30 to 9:00pm
6:30 to 11:00pm
Cornerstone (Berkeley)
Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley)
The Ivy Room (Albany)

Fees for Workshops

Registrations received by the early registration deadline receive a $50 discount.

By  1/15/24 After 1/15/24
$450* $500*

*Includes a $150 non-refundable deposit.

We have been at this for 30 years! Check out this video from our archive.  How the Eyewitness News Team became the Eyewitness Blues Band with help from BandWorks.