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 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.

Director: Rod MacGillivray
Saturdays 2-4pm
Fee: $280/year
Open to the following Instruments: trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba, percussion

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

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: $250/year + $65 Registration Fee

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 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 join who aren’t sure if their level or ability fits the ensemble, please contact the director.

Faculty: Daniel MacNeil
Time: Thursdays 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Start date: September 8th
Fee: $250/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.

Requirements: Bring your violin!

Weekly classes on Mondays

> 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm Group A (No Experience Needed)
> 7:00 pm – 8:00pm Group B (Little experience)

Lesson Length: 1 hour
Start date: Sept 12 – Jan 30 (18 lessons)
Fee: $216

Come join our weekly fiddle and harp jam circle! Anna Wedlock (fiddle) and Ellen Gibling (harp) invite you to learn folk tunes from Scottish, Irish, and Old Time Traditions, as well as familiar folk song melodies. Through these tunes, we’ll work on learning by ear, building up a body of tunes that you know by heart, accompaniment tools, and group playing skills. Sheet music and recordings will be available in advance for those who wish to prepare(, but preparation is not necessary). Registration is available for the full term, or you can purchase a 4-class punch card and drop-in as you’re able. A limited number of harps are available for those who would prefer not to bring their own instrument. Please contact Ellen (harp@ellengibling.ca) to reserve a harp for this class.

Faculty: Anna Wedlock and Ellen Gibling

Time: Wednesday 7:15pm – 8:15pm
Age: 14+
Cost: $240 per term for 15 classes
Punch Card for 4 sessions: $80

A fun and supportive ensemble for adult flute players level 2 and up. Together we’ll explore diverse repertoire of different eras and styles, solidify flute technique, and gather tips and tricks for successful ensemble playing.

Faculty: Sibylle Marquardt & Jennifer Publicover

Schedule: Saturdays, 12:30-1:30pm/bi-weekly

Fee: $350/term

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
Time: Mondays, 6:00pm to 7:15pm

Cost: $215/year

Welcome to the Prelude Orchestra, the newest member of the String Orchestra family at the MCPA!  In this ensemble string and woodwind players playing 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
Time: Mondays 5-5:45 pm
Cost: $205/year