Gathering of Bronze • 2026 Fall Session

If you like fun, music, fun, science, fun, and ALSO FUN, then join us to build The Gathering of Bronze!

Let’s Make Some Awesome

As we kick off our new educational performance group, we're looking for adults who love learning, especially about science and technology. A little bit of musical experience is helpful, but we'll teach you everything you need. (Seriously, if you played a few notes in middle school or love to drum on your steering wheel, you’ll be great!)

Throughout the term, we will collaborate to create a short educational performance that combines musical vignettes with related STEM demonstrations. We’re inspired by the easy-to-understand style of Bill Nye the Science Guy and easy-to-enjoy performance of Blue Man Group, with a healthy dose of community theater can-do attitude.

We primarily use percussion instruments such as handbells, handchimes, tuned tubes (Boomwhackers), cajon, five-gallon buckets, and anything we want to build. Why? Because we can teach you (YES YOU) how to play a real song in less than three minutes — and from there it’s all about learning and having fun together. With our success, we’ll be ready to launch children’s programs in future seasons!

Schedule

We gather on Monday nights, with everyone helping set up at 6:45 PM — we're a team! — practice starts at 7 PM and wraps by 9 PM.

• Aug 24: Week 1
• Aug 31: Week 2
• Sep 07: Labor Day (no rehearsal)
• Sep 14: Week 3
• Sep 21: Week 4
• Sep 28: Week 5
• Oct 05: Week 6
• Oct 12: Fall Break (no rehearsal)
• Oct 19: Week 7
• Oct 26: Week 8
• Nov 02: Week 9
• Nov 09: Week 10
• Nov 16: Week 11
• Nov 23: Thanksgiving Break (no rehearsal)
• Nov 30: Week 12
• Dec 07: Week 13
• Dec 14: Week 14
• Final performances are collaboratively scheduled with participants, generally in the final two weeks of the term.

Who We Are

Gathering of Bronze is an educational ensemble of the non-profit Sound Curiosity organization, based within the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center. Special thanks to all our donors who have sponsored tuition for this session!

Please contact us with questions.