Grade 8 FAQ

      

Music Links
  My son or daughter wants to learn an isntrument but has never played one before. Can they take instrumetal music?  
Never played an instrument before? Well then you're part of the majority of students who come to St. Mary. Grade 9 is a great place to begin learning an instrument, and you'll learn one very fast! Our grade nine beginners from this year gave a great performance at our annual Christmas and Spring Concerts and went on a trip Montreal in April.
My son or daughter has previous instrumental experience on piano or guitar. What course should they take?
Students who are experienced in guitar or piano will have a strong musical background to give them a good head start at school. Students with previous experience on these instruments must take beginner music in grade 9 or 10 and take up a second instrument (many guitar players play bass). However, once they reach grade 11, they will have the choice of staying with their secondary instrument, or playing guitar/piano in stage band (jazz).
 
Can my son or daughter join a band in grade nine?
Yes, we have concert bands at the beginner, intermediate and senior levels. Both experienced and beginner grade nines play in the junior concert band.
Do you have to audition for these concert bands?
No, we do not audition for these concert bands. Participation in these bands is mandatory for all those taking music, and the rehearsals take place either once a week after school from 3:00 to 4:30 or twice a week before school from 8:00 to 8:45.
 
Do rehearsals go straight through to June?
No, typically rehearsals end with our Spring Concert which is usually sometime in late late April to mid May.
Does the beginning band and intermediate band perform much?
Yes they do! Our juniors work very hard and learn very quickly. You'll hear them perform at Christmas and be surprised at how fast and far they've come in only a few short months!
 
I've heard about the jazz ensembles. Can my son or daughter participate?
We operate jazz ensembles at the junior and senior level. Due to the restrictions on the number of instruments in the jazz ensembles, they are typically more selective in nature, and are limited to jazz instruments such as percussion, bass, guitar, piano, trumpet, trombone, and saxophone (alto, tenor, and bari). These groups also rehearse once a week after school (3:00-4:30).
My son or daughter likes sports too. Can they do both?
Yes, they can. Together we do everything possible to accomodate this busy student! If your son or daughter is on a team that practices daily after school, and we also have an after school rehearsal specifically on that day, the coaches don't mind the child missing that one day. Similarly, should there be a team game on a specific rehearsal day, we gladly wish the student well and hope they win!
We live out of town. How do rehearsals work for us?
We have a large number of people who live out of town (specifically in Uxbridge). On all rehearsal days, there are late buses to Uxbridge that leave shortly after rehearsals end. Also, car pooling arrangements are made between parents where possible, and with as many people participating as we typically have, there's often multiple solutions available.
 
My son or daughter will be taking instrumental music for the first time this September. How do they choose an instrument?
In September we demonstrate the different instruments for the students. Students then have the chance to try some of the instruments and give us their top three choices that they would like to play, understanding that we have to balance the instruments in the class. Almost all of the time we are able to fill one of these three requests.
 
My son or daughter is very keen about music. Are there any summer programs available?

Yes there is. One of the best is called the National Music Camp of Canada, with programs for all levels of musicians. To visit their website, click here.
What instruments are available for beginners?
For all students, both beginner and experienced, the instruments we offer are: flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxiphone, bassoon, baritone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, acoustic string bass, and percussion (including snare, bass drum, timpani, xylophone, and suspended cymbal). In the jazz courses offered at the grade 11 and 12 level, some additional instruments are offered that include electric bass, guitar, and piano.