LESSONS AND THEORIES

PRIVATE LESSONS:

Many teachers at Whitby School of Music have University Degree's in music and A.R.C.T. Diploma's from the Royal Conservatory of Music. All teachers go through an extensive training program in the summer where the principles of teaching are developed and they receive continuous training and guidance throughout the year, which helps students achieve their goals. Lessons are generally a half hour in duration, once each week and involve playing the instrument as well as instruction in theory. Whitby School of Music offers and encourages students to participate in Royal Conservatory of Music examinations. Performance opportunities are made available to the students through school-sponsored recitals and competitions as well as local music festivals.

PIANO OR KEYBOARD: Students can start piano lessons at the age of 4 and should have a piano or a keyboard with 61 (minimum) full-sized keys at home in order to practice. Private and Group lessons are available. Private lessons are generally a half hour in duration, once each week and involve playing the instrument as well as instruction in theory. PianoKids is offered in a group setting, please see below for more information.

other instruments:

VIOLIN: Students should be at least 5 years of age or older to begin violin lessons and should have the appropriate size violin for practicing. Lessons are generally a half hour in duration, once each week and involve playing the instrument as well as instruction in theory.

GUITAR: Age 7 or 8 is a good age to begin guitar lessons. Young children will need a smaller instrument suited to their size. Base guitar students generally start around age 10. Lessons are generally a half hour in duration, once each week and involve playing the instrument as well as instruction in theory. Students will be introduced to a number of musical styles or receive instruction in their area of interest.

FLUTE, SAXOPHONE, CLARINET, TRUMPET: Students must have an instrument available to take to the lesson and for practicing at home. Due to lung capacity we recommend that most woodwind students start lessons around the age of 9, with the exception of flute, which can be started a few years earlier. Lessons are generally a half hour in duration, once each week and involve playing the instrument as well as instruction in theory. Students will be introduced to a number of musical styles or receive instruction in their area of interest.

VOICE: Voice lessons are NOT recommended to students under the age of 8. Vocal damage can occur if the voice is "pushed" at too young an age. Full vocal technique does not begin until age 10. Because of the physical nature of voice lessons (proper breathing techniques, development of the vocal chords and lung capacity), the younger body is generally not yet ready for the rigors of full vocal technique. Students are introduced to a number of musical styles and will receive instruction in their area of interest.

THEORY LESSONS: Preliminary Rudiments, Grades One and Two Rudiments are taught as part of the piano curriculum and are available privately for all other instruments. Private theory lessons are available in all courses including Rudiments, Harmony, Counterpoint, Analysis and History. Lessons are generally a half hour in duration, once each week and students will be prepared for the examination with weekly homework assignments.

Grades Three, Four and Five Harmon, Grade Four Counterpoint and Grade V Analysis are offered in groups from September through May in preparation for the May examination session. Classes are one hour in duration and meet weekly. The curriculum follows the Royal Conservatory of Music most recent syllabus. Students receive weekly homework and periodic tests to help prepare them for the examination.

Grades Three, Four and Five History are taught from May through August to prepare for the August examination session. Classes are two – three hours in duration, once each week. Students receive weekly homework and periodic tests to prepare for the examination.

early childhood music:

Early Childhood Music is a course specifically for children age four. Musical concepts of rhythm, melody, dynamics and phrasing are taught in group classes through the use of singing and listening games, movement and speech rhymes, percussion and melodic instruments. Children learn to identify sounds in nature as well as the instruments of the orchestra. Rhythmic and melodic skills are developed to form a foundation for future music study and enjoyment.. An introduction to the keyboard, preparing them for piano lessons is presented in the second term. Teachers in the Early Childhood Music program are highly trained individuals with further training and experience in early childhood music. Classes are 45 minutes in duration, once per week.

PIANOKIDS^â:

PianoKids^â is a keyboard course developed by Ms. Eleanor Gummer specifically for five – seven year old children. In a class setting of a maximum of six students, children will be introduced to the piano through singing, games and playing on the keyboard and piano. Each class involves note-reading drills, rhythm drills and games, singing and keyboard skills. By the end of the PianoKids^â year, the child will have a good grasp of the principles of piano playing and note reading. Classes are one hour in duration and meet weekly. Students should have a piano or a keyboard with 61 (minimum) full-sized keys in order to practice at home. Whitby School of Music also offers PianoKids in private lessons, which are a half hour in duration and meet once a week.

Performance opportunities are made available to the students through school-sponsored recitals and competitions as well as local music festivals.

You are listening to : "Les jeux d'eaux a la Villa d"Este" by Liszt.

Played by Marie-Therese Gummer

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