Berkshire Strings Classes
Advent Session Begins December 1
**3 week session**
Registration required for each class. Some Class sizes are limited.
Drop-in availability for most classes when space is available.
Choose "Book Now" to pay later with cash/check/Venmo/PayPal (friend) on first class.
Choose “Continue to Payment” to use credit card.
In-person Class registration OPEN NOW
Zoom registration OPEN NOW
Mondays: 1:45pm Beginner/Novice By- Ear Learn new tunes 1 hour
Most fiddle workshops and camps teach exclusively by ear. Don’t miss out on all they have to offer! Learning by ear can be challenging at first - our class will build your confidence and ability. We will learn new tunes and tunes from the Beginner Jam Collection.
Mondays: 6:00pm Intermediate Learn a “New to You Tune” 1 hour 15min
Dewey Hall location: This intermediate level class will teach the intermediate tunes found in the Berkshire Strings 4th and “5th” Edition Jam Collection. Challenge yourself to learn by ear or have access to music during class.
Mondays: 7:15pm Festival Orchestra MONDAYS in December
Take advantage of two extra rehearsals for the Festival Orchestra performance at the Sheffield Indoor Farmers Market on December 13th at 10:00am. Our third meeting will be a Holiday tune Jam. Rehearsal lists available on the Festival Orchestra webpage.
Tuesdays: 11:00am Music Lovers Dream 1 hour 15 min. (no drop-in available) 5 weeks
An ensemble for intermediate level music readers. Violin, Flute, Viola and Cello players welcome. Baroque to Beatles, Classical to corny, Traditional fiddle tune arrangements, duets, trios and quartets.
Tuesdays: 6:45pm Beginner/Novice Repertoire Builder and Tune Introductions 1 hour 15min.
This beginner level class will teach you the tunes found in the Berkshire Strings Beginner Jam Collection. Receive coaching on posture and technique, practice bowing patterns and hear the history of the new tune. Each week we will begin with warm-ups and practice tips, a new tune will be taught (code and music provided) and we will finish with a practice list of 4 previously learned tunes.
Wednesdays: 1:45pm Novice/Intermediate Repertoire Builder & Tune Review 1 hour
This class will feature the beginner and intermediate tunes found in the Berkshire Strings 4th Edition Jam Collection. Receive coaching on posture, technique and bowing patterns. Each week we will begin with warm-ups and practice tips, two featured tunes will be deeply reviewed and we will finish with a rotating practice list of 4 additional tunes.
Fridays: 10:45am Advanced New Tune I/New Tune II 1 hour 15 min $25/class New Tune 1: Learn a new tune by ear then take home the music. New Tune 2: Develop bowing, technique and expression for last week’s new tune; play recent new tunes. Alternate weeks. There will be no class on Contradance Rehearsal weeks. Sign up for each class individually. Zoom available. Starts January 16th, 2026.
Fridays: 12:00pm Intermediate/Advanced Repertoire Builder 1 hour
This intermediate/advanced level class will feature the tunes in the Berkshire Strings “5th Edition Addendum”. Receive coaching on posture, technique and bowing patterns.
BEGINNER: in your 1st and 2nd year
NOVICE: beyond 2nd year, comfortable learning and playing repertoire at a slow pace; tunes are in keys of G, D, A, Em, Bm; simple bowing and rhythm patterns
INTERMEDIATE: comfortable learning and playing repertoire at a moderate pace; additional keys of C, Am, F, Dm, Bb, Gm; more complex bowing and rhythm patterns
ADVANCED: comfortable learning and playing repertoire at a faster pace; all keys; stylized bowing; complex and syncopated rhythms; left hand 3rd position; multiple tune parts
Fee Information
Berkshire Strings strives to offer quality instruction and personal support at an affordable cost to all. No student or potential student should consider the fees an obstacle to pursuing instrumental study. We will find a way to include you if that is your passion.
Payments are due at the beginning of a new session.
Payments can be made with cash or check or online. To pay online, use the Berkshire Strings PayPal or Venmo accounts. We also take BerkShares now!
In the event class cannot be held in person (illness, weather, etc.) class is offered on Zoom.
ALL CLASSES SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION OR CHANGE
Are you new to the Berkshire Strings community? Please call Erika for an interview, to ask questions or to find out more about pursuing music lessons.
413-528-5739 or email erika@berkshirestrings.com