Fall 2022

Video Game Music Appreciation

Characters’ Themes Part One – Heroes’ Themes

We all have favourite characters in the video games we play, but what do their themes tell us about the characters we know and love? This class explores how protagonists’ (heroes’) themes in video games reflect the personalities of the characters they represent through guided listening and analysis of selected themes. Class discussions and homework assignments encourage students to apply what they learn to music from their own favourite games, and students will either analyse or compose a protagonist’s theme that they will share with the class at the end of the course.

Characters’ Themes Part Two – Villains’ Themes

Villains in video games give us a bad vibe whenever they appear on screen, and their themes play an important role in creating this feeling. This class explores the features of classic villains’ themes in video games and how they make us uncomfortable through guided listening and analysis. Students will also examine unusual villains’ themes and how they represent the characters they accompany. Class discussions and homework assignments encourage students to apply what they learn to music from their own favourite games, and students will either analyse or compose a villain’s theme that they will share with the class at the end of the course.

• Location: Virtual
• Dates:
  • Part One: Thursdays; starting Sept. 15, 2022 for 6 weeks
  • Part Two: Thursdays; starting Oct. 27, 2022 for 6 weeks
• Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $290 for parts one and two
• Ages: 13+
• Students can enroll in one or both parts of the course, but it is recommended to take both. 

Email beckettschool@wlu.ca to register!

Landscapes Part One – Pastoral Areas

Have you ever wondered why fields and forests in video games are so relaxing? This class introduces students to these peaceful, pastoral areas in role-playing video games (RPGs) and examines how their background music makes us feel at ease while we’re playing. Class discussions and homework assignments encourage students to apply what they learn to pastoral landscapes and music from their own favourite games, and students will either analyse or compose a theme for a pastoral area that they will share with the class at the end of the course.

Landscapes Part Two – Eerie Areas

Have you ever been walking through a creepy cave in a video game and felt worried about getting attacked by monsters at any moment? In this class, students will explore why areas like ruins, caves, and abandoned buildings in games are so unsettling and examines how their background music puts us on edge while we’re playing. Class discussions and homework assignments encourage students to apply what they learn to landscapes and music from their own favourite games, and students will either analyse or compose a theme for an unsettling area that they will share with the class at the end of the course. 

• Location: Virtual
• Dates:
  • Part One: Thursdays; starting Sept. 15, 2022 for 6 weeks
  • Part Two: Thursdays; starting Oct. 27, 2022 for 6 weeks
• Time: 7:45 - 8:45 p.m.
• Cost: $290 for parts one and two
• Ages: 13+
• Students can enroll in one or both parts of the course, but it is recommended to take both. 

Email beckettschool@wlu.ca to register!

Winter 2022

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: 6 classes starting March 28, 2022
• Times: Mondays at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Cost: $180
• 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.