PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Young Music Makers (YMM)

Young Music Makers is an early childhood music and movement experience for children aged 6 months to 5 years and the adults who love them. Classes incorporate singing, movement, chanting, and instrumental play in an informal mixed-age environment.

Outreach – ISS

This is our Young Music Makers program for new Canadians who are staying temporarily at the Immigrant Services Society of B.C. See YMM for description.

Junior Music Discovery

Nurture your love of music by joining a Musical Discovery group led by a mentor who shares your interests. Grow your overall music knowledge and develop skills on the focus instrument of your choice. You may also be invited to try other instruments and play together as a band.
Focus choices: guitar, piano, percussion & marimba, ukulele, band & songwriting

Musical Discovery with Support

Explore musical instruments and singing in a nurturing group environment with extra staff support.
Requirements: previous participation in a CAN program or Individual Orientation and recommendation from SoM Program Team

Turntablism

Explore the history of Hip Hop and learn how DJ culture has transformed turntables into an exciting instrument in its own right. Students will learn the techniques involved in creative turntabling and have opportunities to perform.

Electronic Music

Create your own music and learn to recreate your favourite songs and sounds on computers using a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).

CAN (Canucks Autism Network)

In partnership with the Canucks Autism Network, SoM offers group classes that focus on music fundamentals through voice, movement and percussion. Working with students to help them gain confidence exploring the intersection of musical and social skills, we nurture fun, community-based learning.

Samba Afro Drum Troupe

A high-energy group that plays drum music from Brazil. Loud!

Marimba Band

Play high-energy music from around the world on marimba and percussion instruments.

Singing Groups

It’s time to sing! Learn about singing skills and techniques, sing all types of music and grow your confidence.

Musical Theatre

Sing, move, act, have fun and learn songs from movies and Broadway musicals!

Senior Musical Discovery

Hip Hop

The history and evolution of hip hop music; we learn hip hop skills like turntablism and lyric writing.

Senior Ensembles (including Pop/Rock Bands, Latin Percussion and Jazz Ensembles)

Play in a band! Learn cover songs, write, arrange and perform.

Solo Singing Skills

Develop as a solo singer; learn about song choice, vocal and mic technique, and performance skills as a lead and background singer.

Songwriting (Senior Songwriting Fundamentals, Senior Songwriter Showcase)

Songwriting fundamentals for songwriters with any level of experience. The Songwriter Showcase program provides mentorship for students who are already writing songs and want to finish and record or perform them.

Senior Music Theory

An overview of traditional and applied music theory (conservatory rudiments, pop and jazz chord spelling, keyboard techniques, ear training, arranging for bands), and audition prep when needed.

Some Assembly Arts Society (RHYTAG)

This is SoM's 4th year supporting the musical elements featured in theatre productions by RHYTAG. RHYTAG is an award-winning youth theatre program that has engaged over 1,500 youth over the years, working together with artists to create, produce and perform original, thought-provoking plays. Each year students are inspired to collaborate on a new art work during a 6-month process that explores youth concerns and strengths, inventive ways of working with the art form, evolving artistic processes, and community building opportunities for youth and artists.

Tupper Nova/Tupper Alt (TAP)

Nova is a program for students in the Vancouver School District who are struggling with diverse mental health concerns and are unable to attend their neighbourhood school. In this program we use music as a tool for building trust and encouraging youth to enjoy themselves while participating in self expression. TAP is another Alt program providing fundamental music education during school hours for arts credit toward graduation. These classes create live remixes, working on material that is relevant to the students, using drums, percussion, piano, bass, guitar and technology.

Spectrum / West / Foundations / Streetfront / Whytecliff

In partnership with the Vancouver Alternative School District, we provide foundational music education during the school day for arts credits toward graduation. These classes play and create music that is relevant to the students, using drums, percussion, piano, bass, guitar and technology.

Peak House

Peak House is a voluntary, ten-week, live-in, treatment program for youth seeking freedom from problematic substance use. With this vulnerable demographic, self-expression forms the core objective of music making with Peakhouse. Through the exploration of songwriting and lyrics in particular, students and teachers collaborate to improve peace of mind and creative joy.

Summer

Summer Camp at SoM is intended to be an introduction for new students who will be joining the program in September. In these week long programs, new students spend time in small groups exploring all facets of offerings here at SoM. Instructors introduce instrument instruction, music technology, and musical design to see what sparks interest for our new students and to inform our program for the fall.

Ukulele Choir

The mighty ukulele is taking the world by storm and is turning up everywhere—including here at SoM! The Ukulele Choir is open to adults who like to sing and play this fun and entertaining little instrument. Students over 55 years of age can learn to strum, pick, read music and explore theory basics while singing their heart out in a choir setting. Diverse styles of music are covered—from nostalgia to the latest pop, from reggae to rock. The primary emphasis is having fun while making music together. There are classes for all levels--absolute beginners, novice & intermediates.