Click on any of the below programs to learn more. We hope to see you this fall at the Maritime Conservatory!
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
You can also join our Suzuki group classes if you are interested in supplementing your private lessons upon approval of our Suzuki teaching faculty. The cost is $180 per 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:
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
Dates: Friday, January 21st 4-8pm
Friday, January 28th 4-7pm
Age: 15 and up
Join internationally acclaimed Musical theatre practitioners, Katie Cochrane, Chuck Homewood, and Patrick Maubert for this unique two-session intensive to refine your audition prep skills. Whether you are auditioning for colleges, professional theatre or high school musicals, this intensive is for you!
In this intensive we will offer: masterclass-setting feedback, a step-by-step audition tutorial, mock audition panel and as an add-on an opportunity to book an individual professional self-tape audition session, with a live pianist.
This will be a fun and nurturing space to polish your audition package and connect with other musical theatre artists.
Please ask us about scholarships!
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
Always wanted to learn how to play the violin or the viola? This is your opportunity! In a group setting you will learn the foundations of violin playing – no previous experience needed!
Requirements: Bring your violin!
10 weekly classes on Mondays at 6:00pm
Lesson Length: 1hour
Start date: Mar 21st, end date: May 30th
Fee: $120