Traditional Music

AP Music Theory/Grade 12 Music Composition & Technology

This class meets 4 to 5 blocks per week and will be accountable and examinable to the requirements for AP music theory and/or Grade 12 Music composition and technology as defined by the Provincial Government of BC. The course has 4 main components: Theory, Analysis, Aural Skills, Music composition using software and Technology.

Students have an option of challenging the AP music theory exam in the month of May. This course will benefit all music students in all our group and private music tuition courses. It will especially benefit those students taking examinations in their instrument where theory is a co-requisite in order to receive their certificate.

Pops Orchestra

This course is for musicians who are at an intermediate to advanced level of performance ability. It includes all members of the traditional orchestra: woodwinds, brass, strings and percussion. This large performance ensemble includes works from popular repertoire such as movie, Broadway, Disney and pop scores. At special events such as our Christmas and year-end concerts, the orchestra may be combined with the Concert and Jazz Choirs for mass ensemble works. The orchestra performs throughout the year at events and concerts on and off campus, and attends music festivals during the year. All members are evaluated on their participation and are expected to perform in all planned musical events including music festivals during the course of the year. All students are encouraged to take private lessons with one of our highly qualified teachers, in order to fully develop their understanding of orchestral music and their instrument. The grand finale for the Pops Orchestra is the Concert for a Summer’s Eve in the T. Gil Bunch Centre in early June.

Concert Choir

This large performance ensemble draws on the rich musical heritage of the world and the vast wealth of choral works from the Renaissance to the present. The repertoire emphasizes quality choral music and may include motets, madrigals, African and Caribbean music, spirituals, contemporary gospel, folk songs, and pop. Members will progressively develop ear training and sight-reading skills. The choir performs throughout the year at events and concerts on and off campus, and will also attend music festivals in spring. All members are evaluated on their participation and are expected to perform in all planned musical events including music festivals during the course of the year. The grand finale for the Concert Choir is the Concert for a Summer’s Eve in the T. Gil Bunch Centre in early June.

Vocal Jazz Show Choir

This vocal jazz show choir is geared towards talented and dynamic singers willing and able to tackle vocal jazz arrangements. Ear training and sight-reading skills become a high priority in this group. Members will be encouraged to listen to various styles of jazz to better understand the jazz genre. The art of improvisation and scat singing will be studied and soloists from within the choir encouraged. The use of microphones will be used with members learning and understanding blend, balance and microphone technique.

The vocal jazz ensemble will be backed by the jazz combo group as they perform throughout the year at events and concerts on and off campus, and will also attend music festivals in spring. All members are evaluated on their participation and are expected to perform in all planned musical events including music festivals during the course of the year. The choir may also participate in recording projects in the month of May. The vocal jazz ensemble will at times be required to perform with the Concert Choir at certain events throughout the year. The grand finale for the Vocal Jazz Ensemble is the Concert for a Summer’s Eve in the T. Gil Bunch Centre in early June.

Jazz Combo

This elite group of musicians tackles intermediate to advanced levels of Jazz repertoire as well as learning the art of accompaniment.They are guided, but self motivated and will play together as a unit. One of their primary tasks is to accompany the vocal jazz ensemble or soloists. The Combo performs throughout the year at events and concerts on and off campus, including music festivals in the spring. The band may also participate in recording projects in the month of May. All students are encouraged to take private lessons with one of our highly qualified teachers, in order to fully develop their understanding of jazz and their instrument. The grand finale for the Jazz Combo is the Concert for a Summer’s Eve in the T. Gil Bunch Centre in early June.

Jazz Band

The Brentwood College jazz band includes talented intermediate to advanced musicians willing and able to tackle reasonably challenging jazz band arrangements. Ear training and sight-reading skills will become a high priority in this group. Members will be encouraged to listen to various styles of jazz to better understand the jazz genre. The art of improvisation will be studied and soloists from within the band encouraged. All members are evaluated on their participation and are expected to perform in all planned musical events including music festivals during the course of the year. All students are encouraged to take private lessons with one of our highly qualified teachers, in order to fully develop their understanding of jazz and their instrument. The grand finale for the Jazz Band is the Concert for a Summer’s Eve in early June.

Guitar Ensemble

This ensemble is exclusively for guitarists. Using nylon string acoustic guitars, students will learn to read music and play a part in this unique ensemble. In a school band setting, guitar is used as part of a rhythm section, but in a guitar ensemble each guitar is a lead instrument as they create three and four part harmonies. Guitar ensembles often include rhythm guitar and bass parts to enhance the sound of the ensemble. Having multiple players on each part is standard practice in the string orchestra - it also works wonders to add richness to guitar music. The Brentwood College Guitar Ensemble will perform literature of all styles: - from classical, movie, Broadway, Disney to pop scores. Students should have some background on guitar or should be currently taking private lessons. Students will also need to rent or buy an instrument which will be arranged through the school. All students are evaluated on their participation and are expected to perform in all planned musical events including music festivals during the course of the year. The grand finale for the Guitar Ensemble is the Concert for a Summers Eve in the Killy Theater in early June.