A one-of-a-kind comprehensive full year music program introducing children to explore singing, piano, and all orchestral instruments in weekly classes, taught by our expert faculty. The Conservatory’s program is running from September to June for 36 weeks and is divided into modules of instrument groups with a connecting element of movement and basic music theory.
This program fills-up quickly!

Tuition: $985
Times: Saturday 2:00pm & 3:00pm
Start date: September 7, 2024

Get a head-start on clarinet! The Clarinet Beginner Class with faculty member Patty Shaw, teaches your child to play the clarinet in an environment that shapes their imagination, develops their creativity, and teaches them how to cooperate with others to make wonderful music. Children will learn the basics of clarinet playing, play fun songs together, and learn how to perform. Instruments are provided. Classes are capped at 6 children – reserve your spot today!

Faculty: Patty Shaw
Fee: $249 per student for 15-week term
Time: Thursday 3:45pm – 4:30pm
Start date: January 30, 2025

The Conservatory is pleased to offer music lessons for following the Suzuki Talent Education philosophy. The Suzuki method was developed by Shinichi Suzuki in Japan in the 1940’s and is based on the idea that every child has the potential to achieve a high level of proficiency and personal development. Music is initially taught through the mother tongue approach and instruction is carried out in a positive manner that reinforces accomplishments, builds confidence, and is fun. The repertoire is designed to build skills in small sequential steps that are easy for young children and let each child progress at their own pace.

Our Suzuki teachers are members of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and committed to a high standard of instruction, helping our students – together with their parents – achieve their maximum potential. They are connected with the international Suzuki community and regularly participate in workshops and institutes around the world.

Our Suzuki students receive private and group lessons weekly. The fee for group classes is included in our Suzuki Program fee. Our Suzuki students participate in regular studio recitals, graduation recitals, and General Recitals promoted by the Maritime Conservatory. Our Suzuki groups are regularly performing at special events at the Central Library, Northwood Home Care and IWK events.

Violin

Faculty: Lauren Klein & Andre Pretzel
Fee: $216/ term
Times: Saturday
Pre-Twinklers and 1A – 12:00pm – 12:45pm
Book 1B – 2A – 12:00pm – 12:45pm
Book 2B and 3 – 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Books 4 and up – 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Start date: TBA

You can also join our Suzuki group classes if you are interested in supplementing your private lessons upon approval of our Suzuki teaching faculty.

Cello

Faculty: Connor Cornick
Group Time:  TBA

Guitar

Faculty: Daniel MacNeil
Group Time:  TBA

Flute

Faculty: Sibylle Marquardt
Fee: $250/ year
Group Time: Thursdays, 6:30-7:15pm, bi-weekly
Start Date:  September 19, 2024

The Presto String Orchestra is a great place to meet other young musician friends and have fun playing together! This ensemble will provide an upbeat and challenging collaborative experience for young string musicians wanting to explore the world of the string orchestra. Participants will meet weekly to play stimulating repertoire from the string orchestral repertoire as a full ensemble, in sectional rehearsals, and in occasional joint rehearsals with the other Conservatory orchestras. This group will train string players in all of the skills needed to move into the Conservatory Chamber Orchestra. In addition to weekly rehearsals, there will be performance opportunities alongside the Chamber and Adult Orchestras, providing a delightful musical and multigenerational experience! 
This is for RCM grades 3-5.

Faculty: Susannë Brown
Fee: $225/ year
Time: Monday 6:00pm – 7:15pm

Start Date: September 16, 2024

Welcome to the Prelude Orchestra, the first opportunity to join the String Orchestra family at the MCPA! In this ensemble string players at RCM grade 2 will begin their orchestral journey – learning to play with other musicians. In our weekly rehearsals we will build the experience of playing in a group with different sections.

In addition to our weekly rehearsals, there will be opportunities to perform through the year, and some concerts together with the Presto and Chamber Orchestras, showcasing the full spectrum of orchestral development for children at the MCPA through to the end of high school.

Faculty: Susannë Brown
Fee: $205/ year
Time: Monday 5:00pm – 5:45pm
Start Date: September 16, 2024

In this class your child will learn to be observant, adaptable, perceptive, cooperative with others, and above all – musically creative! We will use gesture and movement to express many different aspects of music, such as pitch, range, phrasing, rhythm, melody and harmony. Our classes will naturally expand your child’s ability to listen and respond to music together with their peers.

Faculty: Susannë Brown
Fee: $550 for 28 classes, or pay by term $275
Time: Saturday 11:00am – 12:00pm

Start Date: September 7, 2024