Plugged In has a variety of programming options available. As we continue to grow so does our programming. Visit this page often for news on new classes, workshops and programs that fuse a love for music with a desire to good in the world.
Plugged In’s ensemble band class is offered two times each year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Each class has 4-6 students and 1 teacher and is comprised of drums, guitar, bass, vocals and may also include keyboards and horns. Students learn to play their individual instruments, develop a set list, perform in front of all sizes of audiences, and to work as a group, all with guidance from our Berklee trained teaching staff. Band sets can include original material and/or cover songs chosen by the students. Students are grouped based on age, skill level, musical interest, personality and availability. Each band spends the 14 week session developing their sets and their skills all in preparation for the benefit concert at the end of the session where every band performs in a 3-day showcase of talent!
For more information about our ensemble band classes click here. Information and registration for our Fall 2013 session will be posted soon.
Plugged In is now offering private lessons! Students work one-on-one with one of our Berklee trained music teachers learning drums, bass, guitar, keyboards or vocals. Unlike our ensemble band classes, private lessons can be started anytime throughout the year. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician looking to take your playing to another level, private lessons provide an opportunity to get the personal attention that can be beneficial to a students growth as a musician. The mission of Plugged In informs our private lesson model, as students showcase their skills at their recital. These performances will take place at non-profit organizations, charity events and community groups throughout Boston and MetroWest.
For more information about our private lessons, or to register for a lesson click here.
In conjunction with each end of session benefit concert, we offer a songwriting workshop that benefits the charitable organization chosen by the students at the Community Engage Evening. The workshop is open to all Plugged In students as well as any youth ages 8-19 who are not in Plugged In. The workshop provides students the opportunity to learn more about the chosen charitable organization, learn songwriting techniques from professional songwriters, and write, perform and record an original song for a CD. On the first day of this workshop, a representative from the chosen charitable organization will talk with the students about their work. By acquiring a deeper understanding of the cause, the experience of performing in the concert becomes more meaningful for the students. Later in the day, students break into groups, led by professional songwriters, and write songs based on their reactions to what they have learned and/or on any subject of their choice. On the second day, we record the students performing their original songs and create a CD of these performances. Students also perform the original songs at the concert. All proceeds from the sale of the CD will be donated to the chosen charitable organization.
For more information about our songwriting workshop, or to register for the workshop click here.
If your child could design their perfect summer, would it include new friends, music, fun activities, and new experiences? Are you looking for something constructive, empowering and musical for the young people in your life to do this summer? If you answered “yes” to either of those questions then join us for our Summer Session!
Plugged In’s Summer Session programming helps young people build self-confidence and self-esteem by removing the kind of academic, athletic and social competition they often encounter during the school year. Our summer programming offers a relaxed, non-competitive environment and many diverse opportunities for both musical and personal growth.
We’ve taken the best parts of our popular Spring and Fall Sessions and condensed them down into a 5 week Summer Session packed full of all of the things that make Plugged In great. The Summer Session includes Band Class, Friday Workshops and several events and performance opportunities including our Community Engage Evening, Benefit Concert, Open Mic Night and the Needham 4th of July Parade.
For more information about our Summer Session, or to register click here.
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All students participating in Plugged In programming have the opportunity to participate in additional activities above and beyond their band class, private lesson or workshop. Students participating in Plugged In can access many of performance opportunities throughout the year, including our benefit concert series and local community performances. Through performances students gain the confidence and learn the skills necessary to use their music to give back to the community. Students are also invited to participate in the Plugged In Youth Board. The Youth Board lets students have a say in important decisions being made by the organization and gives them the opportunity to help guide Plugged In’s development.
One of the most important aspects of Plugged In is the emphasis placed on showing students how they can use music to better the world. The concerts at the end of each session raise money for charitable organizations chosen by the students. At the beginning of each session, we hold a Community Engage Evening at which students present to each other charities and causes that are important to them. Students explain how they learned about the charities, what needs are met by the organizations and why they feel it is important to support the organizations. At the end of the evening, they vote to determine the recipient charitable organization for the concert. Also during the evening, an adult whose work involves using the arts to effect social change speaks with the students. Our goal is to provide role models for the students of ways to include philanthropy in their lives and careers.
Plugged In students are invited to perform at many community and non-profit organization events, such as the 4th of July parade, street fairs, New Years Needham celebration, Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, Walker School, etc. These performances are optional and voluntary. Students can perform with their bands, by themselves and/or with students from other bands.
The Youth Board is open to all Plugged In students. The goal of the Youth Board is to strengthen the Plugged In student community by fostering greater involvement of students in the programs and activities of Plugged In and giving students from different bands the opportunity to meet and get to know each other. The Youth Board typically meets one evening per month.
PIB.TV is a website where students can post video, audio and live-stream events and through pay-per-view technology use their music to raise money for causes and charitable organizations important to them.
