Things to See & Do

Join Artist-in-Residence Tom Flint and his students for a YOUTH FILM PREMIERE Tuesday, December 16 at 5:15 PM Walk the red carpet through the gallery into The Umbrella's Theater 144 for a free premiere of youth short films, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers! This event is a celebratory culmination of Artist-in-Residence Tom Flint's Fall Semester Classes and features student films and a short documentary about their creation.

Enjoy the best of classic, independent, and foreign films curated by The Concord Film Project at The Umbrella Arts Center, with pre-show dinner options. This December, join us for My Penguin Friend (2024, dir. David Schurmann, rated PG), a family-friendly film based on the true story of a lonely fisherman who unexpectedly finds companionship with a South American Magellan penguin.

Concord Compose the Action! Learn Film Music Composition.  Have you ever wondered how music creates the perfect mood in a movie or builds the suspense? This Film Music Composition Workshop is your exclusive chance to step into the composer’s chair! Through an exciting, interactive group project, students will learn directly from composer and CCM faculty member Manuel Garcia-Baro how music is used to convey specific emotions and drama across different visual media. You’ll get hands-on experience in music composition by planning the soundtrack for an unforgettable scene from the popular movie How to Train Your Dragon. This unique workshop offers practical insight into the creative process of professional film scoring. Who Should Attend? This dynamic composition workshop is designed for students ages 10-18 who are curious about music composition or film scoring.

Join Sudbury-native Kenter Davies for this special One-Day Choir in Concord, MA, to explore the classic Scottish folk tune, "Auld Lang Syne". Together, we will play, weave new connections, and reflect on the past year. What resolutions can we form as a collective as we enter 2026? Let's raise our voices in harmony and dive into community with one another. All are welcome. 

Unlock Your Musical Voice: Secrets of Composition. Ever wondered how your favorite pieces of music get written? Stop wondering and start creating! This introductory workshop is your chance to step directly into the composer’s seat. Through a dynamic, hands-on session, you will learn directly from composer and CCM piano faculty member Keith Kirchoff as he de-mystifies the creative process behind structuring melodies and developing musical ideas. You’ll get practical experience by immediately applying concepts to write your own short, original melody to take home! 

Technique Toolkit: Hands-On Recording Session. Ready to capture your sound with professional clarity? Join CCM faculty member Daniel Fox for an intensive, hands-on session at the cutting-edge CCM 2 Media Lab. This small-group workshop is designed to move beyond basic concepts and give you practical, real-world guidance on achieving industry-standard results. In this session, you will learn the fundamental tools of the trade, industry best practices, and professional workflows for recording.

Get Into the Groove! High-Energy Bucket Drumming. Join us for a dynamic, hands-on workshop that proves you don’t need fancy equipment to make incredible music! With nothing more than buckets and drumsticks, participants of all skill levels can dive into an energizing and collaborative drumming session. In this exciting, rhythmic workshop, you will be guided by CCM faculty member Tsuyoshi Honjo through a series of exercises that build rhythmic mastery, helping you deepen your understanding of musical timing, pulse, and complex syncopation. 

Master the Foundation: The Science of Rhythm. Is rhythm the foundation of your musical voice? In this unique and essential Rhythmic Laboratory workshop, you will go beyond simple counting to truly feel the pulse that drives all music! Percussion instructor and renowned Jazz Jam leader Giuseppe Paradiso will guide you through an exciting, hands-on session focused on the essential rhythmic skill of subdivision. This dynamic workshop uses a powerful, physical approach, engaging your body as an instrument to help you deeply internalize and master complex timing.