Private Music Lessons
To further support our musicians in their pursuit of excellence and growth, the Music Department offers professional, private music instruction at all levels.
Students may take private tuition in a number of different instruments including piano, voice, theory, guitar, harp, drums, woodwinds, brass, and strings. All of our teachers are both highly accredited in their instruments and active as professional musicians. In addition, private lessons can be taken in composition, arranging, and recording—which includes the use of digital software. Lessons are offered in various styles, notably classical and jazz. Students are encouraged to pursue examinations with the Royal Conservatory of Music in their instrument.
For more information or to register please contact phil.newns@brentwood.bc.ca
Instructors
Brentwood College School music educators are qualified professionals holding recognized music degrees or designations from highly accredited institutions and have extensive professional experience. Faculty selection is based on music accreditations, teaching experience, professional musicianship, and an ability to inspire an appreciation for music and the performing arts in their students.
Registration Information & Fee Policies For Private Tuition
A registration form is completed and signed by each enrolling student and their parent or guardian.
All programs begin and end each year in accordance with the Brentwood College School calendar year.
Brentwood Music Department has an ongoing enrolment policy for all music programs. Students enrolling any time after the commencement of the September school year will have the annual fee pro-rated from their start date.
The annual fee refers to each student’s total lesson fee, covering the Brentwood Music Department calendar year from September through June or that portion remaining from a student’s start date.
Brentwood Music Department considers the first three lessons of any music program a probationary period. During this time the student may withdraw or be dismissed and receive a full refund of their annual fee less that portion of the fee covering the probationary period.
In order to attract and retain the highest calibre of music instructors, students are enrolled for the full calendar year or that portion of the year remaining from completion of the probationary period. No refunds will be issued. It is understood that the annual fee is payable whether or not a student withdraws at any time during the Brentwood Music Department calendar year after the above-described probationary period has passed.
Private music tuition is billed separately and not included in the School’s tuition fees.
Fees will be charged to the student’s account.
Scheduled lessons are not rebooked unless the teacher cancels your lesson time. Please do not expect your teacher to reschedule your missed lessons since attendance is your responsibility. Teachers may make exceptions in the following circumstances:
a) The teacher receives enough notice to rearrange their lesson day; or
b) You have a medical emergency or prescheduled elective surgery date. NOTE: Your regularly scheduled lesson time may be made up at the convenience of the teacher if there are conflicts with family functions, holidays, or school field trips. We will endeavour to be as fair as possible.
Private Music Program Fee Schedule
The length of lessons is determined based on the graded level of musicianship. The exact number of lessons will be determined depending on the day chosen and the number of teaching days during the year. Our average private music-teaching contract is for 30 weeks. Based on 30 lessons for the year, the fee will be:
30 x 30-minute lessons = $945
30 x 45-minute lessons = $1,418
30 x 60-minute lessons = $1,890
Please Note: Certain teachers may charge more than these rates
Available Instruction
Classical Piano
The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Program, in association with the University of Toronto, offers graded piano study from an introductory level to professional designation with examinations offered twice yearly. These exams are effective tools to measure student knowledge and progress. Over the course of our teaching year, students are thoroughly prepared for a June examination. Students will receive positive adjudication comments, and a certificate marking their achievement and a final grade.
Jazz Piano
This program of jazz studies has been designed for those students seriously interested in learning to play and understand the jazz genre. Prospective students should have the equivalent of at least Grade 5 RCM piano. Students will study chord voicing, the Blues in major and minor Keys, 11 – V7 –1 progressions, jazz standards, and different solo and combo styles of jazz piano.
Classical Voice
RCM offers graded voice study from an introductory level to professional designation with examinations offered twice yearly. These exams are effective tools for measuring student knowledge and progress. Over the course of our teaching year, students are thoroughly prepared for a June examination. Students receive positive adjudication comments, and a certificate marking their achievement and final grade.
Vocal Jazz Voice
Students will gain an understanding of the vocal jazz genre through weekly technical exercises, performance, analysis, and listening skills. It is recommended that students wishing to pursue studies in Jazz Voice have a background in classical voice or choir.
Musical Theatre and Pop Voice
This program offers private tuition in musical theatre and pop for those students interested in developing their stage performance skills and repertoire. This syllabus covers favorites from Broadway stage to pop. Students build a performance repertoire for theatre auditions, music festival entries, School performances, or even events such as the Pacific National Exhibition talent competition.
Classical Guitar
RCM offers graded guitar study from an introductory level to professional designation with examinations offered twice yearly. The exams are effective tools for measuring student knowledge and progress. Students are well prepared for these exams in June and receive positive adjudication comments, and a certificate of their achievement and final grade.
Rock Guitar and Other Stringed Instruments
Introductory lessons follow ‘Progressive Rock Guitar’ books in conjunction with a CD. More advanced students work through an appropriate method book matched to their level of study. Students interested in pursuing this popular approach to the guitar should be primarily interested in playing rock & roll and blues-oriented songs, with less emphasis placed on the more technical aspects of playing—which are covered in depth in the classical program of guitar studies. Tuition is also available for banjo and mandolin.
Violin, Viola, Cello, and Fiddle
The RCM Strings Program covers the technical aspects of the violin, viola, or cello for each grade: scales, sight-reading, studies, and pieces. This internationally recognized music program, in association with the University of Toronto, offers graded study from an introductory level to professional designation with examinations offered twice yearly. These exams are effective tools for measuring student knowledge and progress. Our students are well-prepared over the course of the year for their exams in June. Students receive a grade, positive adjudication comments, and a certificate of achievement. Students are encouraged to participate in performance opportunities provided by the School as well as local music festivals.
Woodwind/Brass
Qualified instruction in woodwinds and brass is available from introductory through advanced levels of study. It is suggested students pursue either a jazz program or the Royal Conservatory Music Program offering graduated levels of study from an introductory level to grade ten. Lessons cover technical skills such as scales, sight-reading, improvisation, and tonal concept. Performance is considered an important element in music education and students are encouraged to participate in our concerts and festivals.
Percussion/Drum Kit
Students get instruction designed specifically for them. With new students in the art of drumming, reading, rudiments, and fundamental rhythms are the subjects of focus. More advanced and professional players usually work in areas that are in need of improvement or attention.
Harp
Learning to play the harp is both a magical and rigorous study, with great rewards in either private study or in groups. Students learn a great variety of musical styles including Celtic and Canadian folk tunes, classical pieces and studies, and very physical Latin American tunes. Lessons are fun and friendly, with expectations clearly explained and reinforced.
Bagpipes
The bagpipe is centuries old and was originally a solo instrument. It eventually came to be played with other bagpipers and drums added, making a Pipe Band. Over the last several years, as the bagpipe has become more popular amongst other musicians, it now is used in folk groups and is also played by jazz and rock musicians. Bagpipes have been around since early times, and appeared throughout Europe in various forms. Beginner students start with what is called a ‘’practice chanter.” After learning the basic scale exercises, students progress on to various ‘’etudes’’ or other exercises. The volume of the bagpipe cannot be varied through blowing pressure. In fact, the blowing must be one steady pressure to blow a good tone from the instrument. It usually takes from about six months to one year to graduate from the practice chanter to the bagpipe itself. Once scales and exercises have been learned, melodies are then added.
Theory
Private tuition is available for all grades. Please note that BC Schools recognize the RCM program of music as equivalent to the Grade 11 and 12 Fine Arts Credit. To qualify for this credit, students must complete a specific practical grade requirement as well as their theory co-requisite.