Songwriting Course with Joanna Mountry

This course is an introduction to songwriting through listening, writing and creating popular music. Students will learn how to use the elements of music and musicianship skills to develop their songwriting practices. Hands-on keyboard, ear training, scales, intervals and pitch/chord identification will also be taught as songwriting tools. Students are encouraged to explore their own unique voice and express themselves through their music writing. Students at any stage of learning a musical instrument can participate. Proficiency in note-reading is not required.

By the end of the course, students will have the opportunity to perform their original songs.

• Dates: 8 classes starting February 5, 2022
• Times: Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. 
• Cost: $275
• Ages: 16+ (Teens and Adults)

Contact beckettschool@wlu.ca to register.

Jazz for Adults with Matthew Rait

Led by guitarist Matthew Rait, this ensemble program will explore many elements and styles of performing jazz. This includes: lead sheet reading, ear training, harmony, melody, common jazz song forms and improvisation. The ensemble(s)will take part in a recording session in the Heffner Recording Studios in the Kitchener Public Library at the end of the term and have performance opportunities in the community (pending COVID-19 restrictions).

Conditional on enrolment, students will be grouped into age and/or level of musical experience. Basic profiency on an instrument is required. Email beckettschool@wlu.ca if you are unsure of your level of playing. This ensemble are open to all instrumentalists and vocalists. 

• Dates: 8 classes starting February 7, 2022
• Times: Mondays at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (no class March 14, 2022)
• Cost: $200
• Ages: Teens and adults

Advanced Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Theory Classes, Level 7-8

Each class level will cover the corresponding RCM Celebrate Theory workbook in preparation for each exam level.

To register, students must have either completed an RCM Level 6 Theory exam or an equivalency test (which can be provided prior to enrolment).

• Class schedule: Class begins January 13, 2022.  Each grade level will include one-hour weekly classes for a total of 12 classes.   
• Time: Thursdays at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Cost: $295, min. three students (cost includes workbook) or semi-private rate $365 for two students per class.

To register, email beckettschool@wlu.ca.

A Community Consort with Daniel Cabena

This adult early music group maintains a shared and supportive space where the joy of the novice guides us into the Renaissance crafts of singing, recorder, and viola da gamba playing. (There’s room for other instruments, too, like sackbut, organ, and plucked strings!). 

• Class schedule: Jan. 11 to March 29, 2022
• Time: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Cost: $180

To register, email beckettschool@wlu.ca. For more information, email dcabena@wlu.ca. 

Advanced Rudiments, Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), Levels 1–8

This full year program is a complete overview in Elementary Music Rudiments and is recommended for students working on intermediate to advanced level practical exams. Students do not need to complete a prior theory program as the class will review beginner level material including basic notation and will progress to advanced levels of understanding. The class will cover scales, intervals, triads and chords, simple/compound/hybrid time signatures, cadences, transposition, melody and phrase composition, four-part scores and will include a history and guided listening component. This course will prepare students for the Level 8 RCM Theory curriculum.

This course includes 30 one-hour weekly classes from September to May. Students will be expected to complete homework assignments which should take approximately 1-2 hours per week.

• Dates: Sept. 30 to Dec. 16, 2021 and Jan. 6 to May 12, 2022
• Time: Thursdays at 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Tuition: $850 (cost includes course workbook)

To register, email beckettschool@wlu.ca.