Class Descriptions
The Sarah McLachlan School of Music is a music program offered free-of-charge to young people in Vancouver’s inner city. Students receive high quality music instruction in both contemporary and classical traditions in guitar, piano, percussion, voice, choir, songwriting, student bands, and music lab. No previous music experience is required!
Our vision is to recognize and involve students in the creative process. We teach students how to improvise and collaborate and we find ways to engage them. We want to awaken students to all the different genres of music available to them, allowing them to follow their own path. It is about the experience – the joy of creating music on their own and with others!
Here is a brief description about our different programs:
Guitar
Junior
The Junior Guitar Program teaches students everything from how to hold a guitar, how to choose the right guitar, and how to play and enjoy it! Using different teaching techniques, the focus is on observing, expressing and learning from each other, which often results in an uncontrollable desire to play, and practice!
Senior
The Senior Guitar Program exposes students to classical techniques and theories and then teaches them how to apply these new skills to the genres they love, including pop, rock and jazz. From basic chord and strumming techniques to reading music, this fun and challenging environment is perfect for students wanting to enter into the world of music. Students learn how music is formed and how to teach themselves new songs.
Piano
Junior Piano
The Junior Piano courses at SOM are for students in grades 4 – 7 who have little to no musical experience. The emphasis is on having fun, being creative and engaging each other. Students learn to cover as many styles of music as they can and learn the basics of sight reading, music theory, technique, and music history. They also learn how to play together in an ensemble.
Senior Piano
Senior Piano is about reaching for the stars! A number of students go on to get their performance certificates, explore jazz and chording, play in student bands, bring friends together, and perform for different audiences across the city. As students progress, they move from a group setting to a one-on-one focus to explore individual skills. This course is perfect for students wanting to make their mark and receive the support they need to explore the world of music. Students find innovative and original ways to look at music as art.
Percussion
Junior Percussion
What do you think of when you hear the word percussion? How about rhythm, beat, pulse and texture. Or better yet, how about Cuba, Africa, and Brazil! This course is about groups learning to play as one. Students are introduced to the world of percussion, which can include hundreds of different instruments. Think of this as the candy store of SOM! Students learn how to make music together in a non-traditional format. This course is fun, dynamic and interactive.
Senior Percussion
Senior Percussion is about bringing people together through music. Students learn about other cultures and their music traditions. This class is based on the oral teaching method where students learn to break things down and feel the music with their entire bodies. Percussion is about coordination and about collaboration. This is the world of drums – from bongos and djembes to congas and stick drums, students will be introduced to more instruments than they can name!
Voice
Senior only
The Voice Program is about learning how to find your own voice and then learning how to use it to communicate. Students are given the tools to express themselves through sound while also learning how to perform. The emphasis is on learning together in order to bring out each individual’s strengths. This course is ideal for students wishing to express themselves as individuals and as part of a community.
Youth Choir
Senior only
Sing, polish your tone and develop your musicality in a group setting. This supportive learning environment explores a range of musical styles and offers students unique performance opportunities that will help develop self-confidence and teamwork. Students learn to sing together and can step out of the choir format to learn how to sing solo. It is about making beautiful music and learning how to blend voices to create unique sounds.
Sing, Act, Move
Junior only
The Sing, Act, Move children’s choir brings a theatrical approach to singing. Students in grades 4-7 learn how to express themselves in an exciting, engaging way as they learn to sing with their whole body! This introduction course is perfect for students who want to have fun in a community environment and build confidence in their singing abilities. Explore singing, rhythm, movement and theatre with a focus on making music with your voice. Work with a choir director and guest instructors from various artistic backgrounds to develop musical skills and teamwork abilities.
Music Fundamentals
Junior only
Music Fundamentals is only available to students attending Florence Nightingale at this time. Students discover the general elements of music: rhythm, melody, forms and timbre in a fun, hands on environment. In this after-school program, students will learn through a wide range of activities including singing, movement, and the exploration of percussion instruments.
Songwriting
Senior only
The Songwriting Program is for students in grades 8-12 with an interest in self expression and creative writing. With a combination of both teacher-led and student-led activities, this class encourages students to explore topics and ideas that interest them while providing them with the tools they need to develop their own songs. Foster your creativity and self-expression as you write, produce and record original works alongside industry professionals. This course is ideal for students wishing to form new friendships, express themselves, and create magic!
Sound Lab
Intro to Sound Lab (Gd. 5-7 & Senior)
This survey course offers students a taste of all our Sound Lab has to offer. With a unique focus each term, try your hand at audio engineering and live sound development, music and video production and last but not least a tour through the creation of electronic music, live beat production, lyricism and DJing.
The Beat Down: Hip Hop, Beat Boxing, DJing and Electronic Music (Gd. 5-7 & Senior)
This course is all about using the latest software and studio gear to write, record and mix your own songs. Learn how to put Ableton Live, Serato, turntables, Midi keyboards and microphones to use. Put the media in your hands and tell this world what it’s been waiting to hear, be it through beat boxing, beat mixing, live looping, hip hop music, lyricism, DJing or MCing.
Music & Video Production (Senior Only)
Learn how to create, record and embellish you own song ideas in the studio, working in groups and on solo projects. Take it to the next level and learn to develop a music video: designed, choreographed and produced by you and your friends. Students enrolled will learn how to work in a production team, gaining experience with video cameras, lighting equipment, editing software and green-screen technology.
Designing Music: Sound Engineering & Recording (Senior Only)
In this sonic design course students will work in our Sound Lab learning the basics of live sound development and production. Students will gain exposure to industry standard software, like Garage Band, Logic and Pro Tools, while exploring the use of microphones, mixers and PA systems. Record fellow musicians and get involved producing in-house concerts; the basics you learn here will provide you with real-world sound production skills to take away!
Student Bands
Senior only
Student Bands is about friends coming together to play their favorite tunes. Learn new arrangements, work with professional musicians who have their own bands, and inspire and motivate each other to showcase your talents! This course is ideal for students who show an interest in the collaborative process of a small ensemble / rock band. Applicants will be assessed and recommended by a SoM instructor to be placed in a Student Band. All students who are chosen must also attend a primary discipline such as piano, percussion, guitar or voice.