ROCKPORT — Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School is offering a wide range of engaging group classes this winter and spring, including a musical exploration class for young children, guitar ensemble, and ukulele classes.

"Musical Exploration: Sing, Drum, Strum and Play," taught by Jessica Day, gives children the opportunity to explore the world of music, by making (playing and listening to) music in a group setting. Day introduces basic music concepts and skills by exploring with a variety of percussion instruments, pentatonic flute and ukulele.

Children will learn fun and age-appropriate ways to sing and express themselves. Students will sing, move, play, improvise (ensemble and solo work) and listen to a wide range of music. All students are allowed to develop at their own pace and are encouraged to reach toward their potential.

Day has run Music Together for infants and toddlers since 2008, and envisions an experience where children can explore a number of different instruments in a playful and fun group setting. "It's a great complement to private lessons, or it can also be a way to introduce a child to different musical instruments," she explained in a news release. The class meets Wednesdays from 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. for eight weeks beginning January 7. Cost is $80.

Guitar Ensemble — play and share music in a fun, dynamic environment. Directed by instructor Jeff Rojo, a student of the guitar and music theory since age 13. This ensemble is meant for classical guitarists who are interested in playing in a group setting. The repertoire is arranged to meet the needs and interests of beginning to advanced players. Meets Thursdays 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. for eight weeks beginning February 26. Cost is $120.

Jazz Combo is for ages 14 and up, open to all instruments and voices. Mike Whitehead will be instructing a curriculum that includes reading a lead sheet, understanding jazz feel, supporting other band members, playing a solo, jazz harmony, and creating a set list. Jazz combo begins February 25 and meets Wednesdays 6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. for eight weeks. Cost is $80.

Ukulele classes are open to ages 12 and up and are organized into Beginner, Intermediate, Ensemble, and Advanced Ensemble. Instructor Jeff Weinberger said of the current ukulele resurgence, in a news release: "it makes people happy; the ukulele has an angelic tone that appeals to the child in everyone." An accessible, portable, inexpensive instrument for all ages, the ukulele creates community and shared musical experiences around the world.

Beginning students will learn the basic chords and strums necessary to play a varied repertoire of popular, folk, and classical music. More advanced students will explore the instrument above and beyond the basics. Students provide their own instrument and tuner.

"Ukulele Just for the Fun of It," an open group ensemble class, meets Mondays at 5:15 p.m. starting January 5.

"Ukulele Intermediate I" takes beginning concepts and begins to develop technique and style, while exposing students to new kinds of music; the class meets Monday at 4 p.m. beginning January 5.

"Ukulele II" is more advanced and is a good preparation for ensemble work — Wednesday at 5 p.m. beginning January 7.

Finally, the "Ukulele Ensemble" gets together Mondays at 6:15 p.m. beginning January 5. Eight-week sessions cost $80 per class and $120 per ensemble.

All classes meet in the Shepherd Building at 18 Central St. in Rockport, top floor.

To see a complete list of classes and private lessons offered by Bay Chamber Music School, visit www.baychamberconcerts.org or stop by the Bay Chamber office at 18 Central St. in Rockport.

To register for classes or private lessons, contact Joan Kulle at (207) 236-2823x107; joan@baychamberconcerts.org.

Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School offers concert programs, musical education, and community through music. The Bay Chamber Music School, located in downtown Rockport, offers Private Instruction, ensemble opportunities and group classes. Bay Chamber is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Learn more at www.baychamberconcerts.org.