The Adult Orchestra provides an opportunity for recreational musicians with variable playing experience and skill levels to make music together in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. Under the leadership of Susannë Brown, the members of the Adult Orchestra will meet weekly to play a range of approachable repertoire drawn from various genres and styles. Each term culminates in a final concert. Most importantly, the goal is always to have fun with your instrument!

Faculty: Susannë Brown

Time: Tuesday 7:00 – 8:30 pm

Tuition: $250/ yearly

The Adult Violin Group is teaching participants according to the Suzuki principles, learning by ear following the steps of the highly successful mother-tongue approach Sinichi Suzuki developed. Learning is based on a supportive environment with constructive and positive instruction, focusing on posture and musical expression.

Faculty: André Pretzel
Time: Saturdays, 12:00-1:00pm
Fee: $180/term

The Conservatory Chamber Orchestra is a string ensemble for advanced students playing challenging repertoire at the RCM Grade 5 level and up. There will be several performances throughout the year of repertoire from the Baroque period through to the Modern era. Entrance is by audition, and members are expected to attend regularly. This pre-professional ensemble experience will hone the musicianship skills of participants within a supportive and encouraging learning environment.

Faculty: Celeste Jankowski

Time: Monday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Tuition: $350/ yearly

Ever wonder what performing with a guitar orchestra would be like? Join the Guitar Orchestra and experience an incredible performance, sonic and social experience unlike any other! Whether you play by ear, read tab or read notation, there is a place for everyone! Guitarists will develop strong ensemble skills and repertoire ranges from classical (all periods) to jazz, many “world” styles, popular, blues, improvised music and more. The orchestra welcomes all types of guitars: acoustic, classical, electric, bass, steel guitar. Every term culminates with a concert performance.

Faculty: Daniel MacNeil
Time: Tuesdays 6:00-7:30pm
Fee: $220/term

Harp players of all levels and ages are welcome to attend these informal 45 min drop-in sessions. The sessions will include group technique work and casual ensemble playing as well as learning about different harpists through listening to and discussing recordings together. The final 15 minutes will be open for people to sign up to play for the group – whether it’s a work in progress, an improvisation, or a polished performance piece. All are welcome to stay and chat afterwards with some light refreshments. The aim of these sessions is to create a space where harpists can practice performing, be inspired by each other’s work, share ideas and resources, and get to know the harp community in Halifax.

Three harps will be available in the building for those who would prefer not to bring their own instrument. Please contact Ellen (harp@ellengibling.ca) if you’d like to reserve an instrument or sign up to perform.

Faculty: Ellen Gibling

Time: 2:00-2:45pm

Cost: $15/session
Monthly drop in dates:

• Sep 11
• Oct 9
• Nov 13
• Dec 11
• Jan 8
• Feb 12
• Mar 12
• Apr 9
• May 14
• June 11

The Maritime Music Experiment is an all-ages, mixed instrumental ensemble open to students of any instrument. The MME strives to push the boundaries of what students know as making music, with a particular focus on exploration, improvisation, and indeterminacy. Open to anyone, 12 to adult, who isn’t afraid to try something new. Prerequisites: minimum three years of lessons on your instrument.

Faculty: Matt Richard
Time: Sundays, 2-3:30pm

Fee: $234/term

The MCPA Brass ensemble provides a unique opportunity for all students to experience a traditional brass ensemble in a fun, inclusive, educational, and supportive environment. The ensemble is open for beginning to advanced students and will consist of weekly rehearsals, masterclasses, and public performances throughout the year covering a wide variety of traditional and contemporary music for brass ensemble.

Faculty: Rod MacGillivray
Time: Saturdays 2-4pm

Fee: $260/year

Open to the following Instruments: trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion

Passionate about musical theatre? Looking to enhance your upcoming audition? Wanting to expand and finesse your musical theatre repertoire? Join Musical Theatre Practitioners Patrick Maubert and Rachel O’Brien as they guide you in creating tailor-made musical theatre audition and performance material through The Maritime Conservatory’s bi-weekly drop-in musical theatre master class series.

Goals:

• Acting Through Song
• Repertoire Building
• Audition Preparation
• Song and Monologue Selection
• Musical Theatre Vocal Technique
• Confidence Building

There will be a final Showcase Performance at the end of term.

Faculty: Patrick Maubert & Rachel O’Brien

New to the Conservatory, the Seton Conservatory Choir is a community choir focusing on classic works by well-known choral composers such as Rutter, Britten, and Brahms. Led by instructor Garth MacPhee and accompanied by Dean Bradshaw.

Conductor: Garth MacPhee

Time: Wednesdays 7:00-9:00pm

Cost: $225/year

The World Music Ensemble performs music from various cultures throughout the world. Anyone (and instrument) is welcome! All music explored is authentic to the tradition and since everyone is welcome with their own instrument of choice (and this is encouraged!), a natural and true cross-cultural approach to music takes place in this ensemble. Whether you are advanced or are a beginner, whether you play classical, folk, jazz, or any style from anywhere, there is always a spot for you and it is always stimulating! Students have the opportunity to explore and perform music from areas of the world such as the Middle East, India, Africa, Eastern Europe, South America and more; culminating with an end of term concert. Students even have the opportunity to learn some new instruments from different cultures if they wish. Classical, folk, popular, and even dance music of various cultural traditions are explored.

If students would like to join who aren’t sure if their level or ability fits the ensemble, please contact the director.

Faculty: Daniel MacNeil

Time: Tuesdays 7:30-9:00pm

Fee: $220/term