Granby Chorus/Choir Rehearsals

We are holding two more rehearsals prior to our participation in the Trees & Bouquets event at Kellogg Hall on November 30th at 2pm.  If you plan on participating in the event, please attend on or both of the rehearsals.

The rehearsals will be at 117 Amherst St in Granby, MA at 5pm on Wednesday the 19th and 26th of November.

Please text us at 413-213-5767 to confirm that you will be attending.

We will be singing the following songs, so you may be prepared for: 

• We Wish You A Merry Christmas
• I Saw Three Ships
• The First Noel
• Hark The Herald
• Oh Come All Ye Faithful
• Jingle Bells

In addition to the songs, April and Adam will be twin fiddling the following tunes (and you may join us if you like):

• Ashokan Farewell
• Planxty Irwin
• Carolan's Welcome

Morning Tech Glitch at Granby Music Academy

If you tried to reach Granby Music Academy this morning and couldn’t get through, you weren’t alone. A large Cloudflare outage affected thousands of websites worldwide, including ours. For a short time, pages on GranbyMusic.com and several related sites wouldn’t load properly.

Everything is back to normal now, and no data or class information was lost. Our registration pages, lesson schedules, and contact forms are all working again.

Thank you to everyone who reached out or waited patiently while the problem was resolved. Technology can be unpredictable, but our music—and our community—keeps going strong.

Holiday Season At Granby Music

Granby Music Academy is heading into a busy and joyful season, and we have several concerts coming up that bring our students, our choir, and our partners together. This time of year always reminds us why community music matters. It gives people a place to gather, a way to share their voices, and a chance to keep old traditions alive while making room for new ones.

On November 30 at 2pm, the Granby Choir and our students will present a selection of holiday songs at Kellogg Hall. This has become one of our favorite events of the season. The mix of returning singers, new students, and families filling the room gives it a feeling you can’t quite create anywhere else. The songs are simple and heartfelt, and the atmosphere always leans toward warmth and belonging.

On December 6 at 8pm, Adam Sweet and Brian Bender will perform at the Song & Story Swap at The First Church, 165 Main St. in Amherst. Adam will represent Granby Music, bringing his blend of traditional and original work, and Brian will be joining him on piano. Performances like this connect the Academy with the wider musical community in the Valley, and it’s always encouraging to watch those partnerships grow.

Looking ahead, we’ve begun planning our annual Spring Concert to benefit the Granby Preservation Society at Kellogg Hall. This event continues to bring together musicians, neighbors, and supporters of local history. It’s an important part of our year, and the early preparations are already underway.

As we move into this new season, we’re also inviting new members to join both the Granby Choir and the Granby Orchestra. These ensembles welcome singers and players of all levels. There are no auditions, no fees, and no pressure. If you’ve ever wanted to be part of a musical group that values tradition, community, and steady growth, this is your chance. We would be glad to have you with us.

If you’d like to join, volunteer, or simply learn more, reach out anytime. I can prepare another version with direct contact details if you want them included in the post.

Honoring Those Who Served: A Message from Granby Music

Today, we pause to honor the men and women who have served our country with courage, dedication, and sacrifice. Veterans Day is more than a date on the calendar—it’s a reminder of the values that define our nation: service, unity, and perseverance.

At Granby Music, we believe that music—like service—connects people. It builds community, fosters understanding, and gives voice to gratitude. This week, we’re proud to offer a special discount for veterans and active military members as our small way of saying thank you.

Whether you’re learning an instrument for the first time or returning to a lifelong passion, we welcome you to join our musical family. Let us help you find peace, expression, and joy through music.

From all of us at Granby Music—thank you for your service.

#VeteransDay #GranbyMusic #ThankYouVeterans

Preparing for the Holidays at Granby Music

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s a natural shift that happens in every musician’s year. The holidays aren’t just a season—they’re a feeling that comes alive through the songs we play and the people we share them with. At Granby Music, this is one of our favorite times of year.

November is when we begin preparing students and our community for the musical side of the season. Whether someone is learning their first carol or returning to a piece they’ve loved since childhood, the goal is the same: to make music part of our celebrations again.

The violin and mandolin have a special way of bringing warmth to traditional Christmas melodies. Silent Night takes on a tender glow when played with bow and tremolo. What Child Is This and Greensleeves share that haunting minor tone that feels timeless and ancient. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, The First Noel, and O Come All Ye Faithful all shine in ensemble form, weaving harmony and melody together the way only strings can.

Our approach is simple and joyful. We start by making a list of songs each student would like to learn. We gather sheet music and arrangements, then present them in private lessons as well as in our group classes—the Mandolin Group on Mondays and the Celtic Group on Thursdays. These sessions are where the spirit of the season really takes root, with everyone learning from one another and finding their own voice in the mix.

We’re also excited to share our music beyond the studio. 

• On November 30th, we’ll bring Christmas music to Kellogg Hall, filling the room with the sound of violins, mandolins, and voices raised in harmony. 
• On December 6th, we’ll join the Song & Story Swap in Amherst, where local musicians and storytellers gather to share the spirit of the season.

Holiday music reminds us why we play in the first place—to connect, to reflect, and to bring light when the days grow dark. Whether you’re part of our groups or just beginning your musical journey, this is a wonderful time to start.