Instrumental Music at Central
Band & Orchestra cohorts – PVA or Standard
Instrumental Music at Central can be completed in either the Band or Orchestral stream. We have both an auditioned and a non-auditioned cohort of both Band and Orchestra.
Advanced auditioned Band and Orchestral offerings are part of our Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) Program. Information about the PVA Program can be found here: pvacentral.ca
Below is information about our General or “Standard” Instrumental Music offerings. These courses are available to the entire school community without audition.
Band Program - Standard
Instrumental Music 10/20/30 & General Music 10/20/30 - (5 credits each)
Standard Band (the Golden Rams Band) accepts all intermediate Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students with at least a year of experience on their instruments. Students develop skills, technique, and musical understanding as musicians in a group setting. Fun social activities, participation in concerts, Sports events, festivals, and a family atmosphere are things you can expect in this course. Standard Band rehearses inside the timetable every day for both semesters.
Pre-Requisite – Band 9, or teacher’s discretion. If you do not have Band 9, please contact the school to meet with Mr. Mailman.
Instrument rentals for this course are available through the school.
Jazz Band 15/25/35 (by annual audition)
Jazz band is a place for students who play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass or drums to perform popular music from the last 100 years. If you play a non-standard jazz instrument, you will be welcome in our Junior Jazz program. Students will have the opportunity to develop their reading and jazz skills, including studies in contemporary jazz styles and improvisation. Jazz band rehearse twice a week during J-Block all year, and performs at least twice per year, with lots of opportunities to work with professional Jazz musicians throughout the course.
Orchestral Strings Program - Beginner & Standard
Beginner Strings - Instrumental Music 10 (5 credits)
This course is for anyone who has never played a string instrument before, and can be completed on a violin, viola, cello, or double bass. We will start from the beginning, teaching music reading skills, how to play in a group, and the fundamentals of playing a string instrument. This course is open to anyone with or without previous musical experience. It is a one semester timetabled class. Students who successfully complete this course can continue into the Standard Strings class the following year.
Instrument rentals for this course are available through the school.
Standard Strings - Instrumental Music 10/20/30 (5 credits)
Standard Strings accepts all intermediate violin, viola, cello and double bass players with at least one year of experience on their instruments. Students develop their skills, technique, and musical understanding as musicians in a group setting. Fun social activities, participation in concerts and festivals, and a family atmosphere are things you can expect in this course. Standard Strings is a course offered in either first or second semester inside the timetable.
Instrument rentals for this course are available through the school.
Guitar 15/25/35 (5 credits)
Students interested in learning to play the guitar can enrol in Guitar 15 to explore a new instrument and develop a lifelong skill. There are limited guitars available from the school to rent, so it is highly encouraged for students to bring their own instrument to class. Acoustic or classical guitars are preferred; electric guitars are acceptable but will not be played with an amp in class. Students interested in continuing their study of guitar technique and adding to their catalogue of songs can continue in Guitar 25 or 35. As students advance, they will undertake more independent and group projects, including basics of recording and live performance.