Optional Classes for Pianists
Choir for Everyone!
with Marion Samuel-Stevens (ON)
Discover (or rediscover) the magic of singing. Anyone, and we mean anyone, can join!
Students eligible: All ages and instruments, including parents!
Cost: $150 CDN
Discover (or rediscover) the magic of singing. Anyone, and we mean anyone, can join!
Students eligible: All ages and instruments, including parents!
Cost: $150 CDN
Beginners Composition
with Ashton Hart. (ON)
In composition class, we will learn creative ways of building & generating musical ideas in the moment. Invent new ways of building musical compositions quickly & creatively as a group. Please come to this class with your instruments and open ears.
In composition class, we will learn creative ways of building & generating musical ideas in the moment. Invent new ways of building musical compositions quickly & creatively as a group. Please come to this class with your instruments and open ears.
NOTE: This course is for those with little to no composing experience. If you have prior experience working with notation software, composing, and/or producing music, we recommend taking Intermediate Composition instead. This course requires either a laptop, Chromebook or tablet. Headphones are recommended.
Join other first-time composers in taking the first steps of putting your musical ideas on sheet music! Learn the basics of digital notation using the free website Noteflight. While exploring the basics of musical form, you’ll create a short melody with accompaniment—or more, if you are feeling ambitious! Learn a bit about music’s purposes in the past and present, and be inspired by music from cultures around the world and unique instruments, both old and new. Bring your instruments and a laptop or tablet, and let’s make some beautiful new music in a judgment-free zone!
Students eligible: Book 4 & above, any instrument
Cost: $150 CDN (includes materials)
Join other first-time composers in taking the first steps of putting your musical ideas on sheet music! Learn the basics of digital notation using the free website Noteflight. While exploring the basics of musical form, you’ll create a short melody with accompaniment—or more, if you are feeling ambitious! Learn a bit about music’s purposes in the past and present, and be inspired by music from cultures around the world and unique instruments, both old and new. Bring your instruments and a laptop or tablet, and let’s make some beautiful new music in a judgment-free zone!
Students eligible: Book 4 & above, any instrument
Cost: $150 CDN (includes materials)
Intermediate Composition
NOTE: This course is made for returning students who have taken Beginner Composition or who have experience composing using music notation and/or music production software; it is strongly recommended that students applying have some previous experience composing music. This course requires either a MacBook or a Windows laptop. Before class begins, students must install Dorico SE 5 (the free version of Dorico, a leading notation software) on their laptops. Practicing composing with Dorico SE 5 before SOSI is undoubtedly encouraged but not expected. Headphones are recommended.
Return to Composition class and learn to use industry-standard musical notation software—Dorico SE 5—to make a short solo piece for your instrument! While you expand on your knowledge of the classical “phrase” and learn to write in Small Ternary Form, you’ll be introduced to a variety of career avenues that both composition and arrangement can lead to, such as music production, orchestration, scoring (writing music for film, games, etc.), and more. Additionally, you’ll learn how to experiment with composing outside of the “classical" style and how classical training can be used within the context of other musical genres/styles. Come join us and enjoy making some beautiful new music!
Students eligible: Book 4 & above, any instrument
Cost: $150 CDN (includes materials)
Return to Composition class and learn to use industry-standard musical notation software—Dorico SE 5—to make a short solo piece for your instrument! While you expand on your knowledge of the classical “phrase” and learn to write in Small Ternary Form, you’ll be introduced to a variety of career avenues that both composition and arrangement can lead to, such as music production, orchestration, scoring (writing music for film, games, etc.), and more. Additionally, you’ll learn how to experiment with composing outside of the “classical" style and how classical training can be used within the context of other musical genres/styles. Come join us and enjoy making some beautiful new music!
Students eligible: Book 4 & above, any instrument
Cost: $150 CDN (includes materials)
Born in Port Hope, ON, Ashton Hart grew up surrounded by music. He began playing violin at the age of 5 and studied with teachers in Ontario and South Australia. In 2015, he found his passion for composition in his grade 9 music class. Since then, he has dedicated his career to writing background music for film, television, video games, and other visual media. He completed a Bachelor of Music with distinction at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2023. Today, Ashton runs an online business composing commissioned background music in several genres for clients across the globe.
Listen to his public composition portfolio of work HERE.
Listen to his public composition portfolio of work HERE.
Fiddling for Violinists, Violists or Pianists
with Julia Bowdring (NS)
What is the difference between a violin and a fiddle? It's all in the playing style. In this always popular class, you will explore techniques that let you turn any piece into a fiddle tune. Learn tunes from different fiddling traditions, and get your feet tapping!
NEW this year… yes, pianists can also learn how to fiddle! Those in Bk. 2 piano and above will learn some fiddle tunes on the piano and how to do simple accompaniments for fiddling instrumentalists.
Also NEW this year—violinists and violists in late Bk. 1 can sign up for Fiddling class!
Students eligible: Violinists, Violists and Pianists, Bk. 2 and above
Cost: $180 CDN (includes materials)
What is the difference between a violin and a fiddle? It's all in the playing style. In this always popular class, you will explore techniques that let you turn any piece into a fiddle tune. Learn tunes from different fiddling traditions, and get your feet tapping!
NEW this year… yes, pianists can also learn how to fiddle! Those in Bk. 2 piano and above will learn some fiddle tunes on the piano and how to do simple accompaniments for fiddling instrumentalists.
Also NEW this year—violinists and violists in late Bk. 1 can sign up for Fiddling class!
Students eligible: Violinists, Violists and Pianists, Bk. 2 and above
Cost: $180 CDN (includes materials)
Handbells
with Kathleen King Martin (ON)
In this class, you will be part of a handbell ensemble that acts as one HUGE instrument, with each player being responsible for playing a particular note or notes in a composition. Handbell techniques, reading music notation, and working together as a team are skills developed in this course. Instruments and other equipment will be provided.
Students eligible: All students in Bk. 2 and above who can read music. Parents or other adults are welcome to take the class as long as they can read a bit of music.
Cost: $150 CDN
In this class, you will be part of a handbell ensemble that acts as one HUGE instrument, with each player being responsible for playing a particular note or notes in a composition. Handbell techniques, reading music notation, and working together as a team are skills developed in this course. Instruments and other equipment will be provided.
Students eligible: All students in Bk. 2 and above who can read music. Parents or other adults are welcome to take the class as long as they can read a bit of music.
Cost: $150 CDN
Improvisation: Unlocking Every Child's Creative Voice
with Laura Nerenberg (ON)
Did you know Beethoven was known first as an improviser, then as a composer? Come learn the skills that unlock your own creative voice in a judgement-free, fun environment.
Laura Nerenberg will create a customized class for students on any instrument to gain confidence in their musical abilities and create compositions together that have never existed before.
Students will learn about harmony and rhythm, learn how to solo and be a supporting player in this fun and engaging class. Students wishing to get started improvising before SOSI begins can contact Laura directly for guidance by email.
NEW this year… Students in late bk. 1 can also take these classes and learn how to do improv!
Students eligible: Pianists or string players in Bk. 2 and above
Cost: $150 CDN
Did you know Beethoven was known first as an improviser, then as a composer? Come learn the skills that unlock your own creative voice in a judgement-free, fun environment.
Laura Nerenberg will create a customized class for students on any instrument to gain confidence in their musical abilities and create compositions together that have never existed before.
Students will learn about harmony and rhythm, learn how to solo and be a supporting player in this fun and engaging class. Students wishing to get started improvising before SOSI begins can contact Laura directly for guidance by email.
NEW this year… Students in late bk. 1 can also take these classes and learn how to do improv!
Students eligible: Pianists or string players in Bk. 2 and above
Cost: $150 CDN
Operetta
with Marion Samuel-Stevens (ON)
We are thrilled once again to have Canadian soprano Marion Samuel-Stevens return as our Operetta director. Marion has been described as an engaging, direct performer and actress. Her performances range from the intimacy of a recital to the grandeur of opera. Equally comfortable on the operatic and concert stage, Marion is sought after for her subtle interpretations of text and character, as much as for her warm, supple and luminous voice. She is also a wonderful teacher and choir director with years of experience in operetta directing.
We are thrilled once again to have Canadian soprano Marion Samuel-Stevens return as our Operetta director. Marion has been described as an engaging, direct performer and actress. Her performances range from the intimacy of a recital to the grandeur of opera. Equally comfortable on the operatic and concert stage, Marion is sought after for her subtle interpretations of text and character, as much as for her warm, supple and luminous voice. She is also a wonderful teacher and choir director with years of experience in operetta directing.
This year’s operetta tba
Students will have the opportunity to sing, act, dance, and create the set for this always-popular production. A variety of large and small roles are available; everyone has something to contribute!
Students/parents eligible: Violinists/Violists/Pianists in Bks. 1-6; Cellists in Bks. 1-3 (Operetta conflicts with Cello Choir). Enrolment is limited to 30 students. First come, first served.
**Please Note that parents are expected to volunteer for at least one hour during the week to assist the Operetta faculty. A sign-up sheet for volunteer positions will be circulated at the Casting Call on Sunday afternoon.
Cost: $180 CDN
Students will have the opportunity to sing, act, dance, and create the set for this always-popular production. A variety of large and small roles are available; everyone has something to contribute!
Students/parents eligible: Violinists/Violists/Pianists in Bks. 1-6; Cellists in Bks. 1-3 (Operetta conflicts with Cello Choir). Enrolment is limited to 30 students. First come, first served.
**Please Note that parents are expected to volunteer for at least one hour during the week to assist the Operetta faculty. A sign-up sheet for volunteer positions will be circulated at the Casting Call on Sunday afternoon.
Cost: $180 CDN
Organ for Pianists
with Kathleen King Martin (ON)
Have you ever wanted to try the pipe organ? In this introductory class, you will learn to play multiple keyboards, play music with your feet on the pedalboard, and find out what all the stops and buttons do. You can try some of your piano pieces on the organ, and also learn some organ music using both hands and feet together. Both pipe organ and harpsichord pre-date the piano, and it is fascinating to play these historic keyboard instruments.
Students eligible: Pianists in Bk. 2 and above
Cost: $150 CDN (includes materials)
Have you ever wanted to try the pipe organ? In this introductory class, you will learn to play multiple keyboards, play music with your feet on the pedalboard, and find out what all the stops and buttons do. You can try some of your piano pieces on the organ, and also learn some organ music using both hands and feet together. Both pipe organ and harpsichord pre-date the piano, and it is fascinating to play these historic keyboard instruments.
Students eligible: Pianists in Bk. 2 and above
Cost: $150 CDN (includes materials)
Percussion
with Arun Pal (ON)
If you can read music, here is your opportunity to try WLU's fabulous percussion equipment—drums, xylophones and other mallet instruments! In this class, students will focus on developing their rhythmic reading and improvisational skills. Lots of fun! Enrollment is limited. First come, first served.
Students eligible: Junior piano students, Bk. 2 and above, who can read music (NOTE: Percussion is included in the Intermediate, Senior and YAP piano programs)
Cost: $150 CDN (includes materials)
If you can read music, here is your opportunity to try WLU's fabulous percussion equipment—drums, xylophones and other mallet instruments! In this class, students will focus on developing their rhythmic reading and improvisational skills. Lots of fun! Enrollment is limited. First come, first served.
Students eligible: Junior piano students, Bk. 2 and above, who can read music (NOTE: Percussion is included in the Intermediate, Senior and YAP piano programs)
Cost: $150 CDN (includes materials)
NOTE: All information, classes, faculty, etc. are subject to change depending on enrolment.