RSVP

(Recorder, Singing, Violin, Piano)

Our RSVP program is back! This program is a musical introduction to students ages 7-10, focusing on four different instruments over 28 weeks. Students will experience seven weeks of Recorder, seven weeks of Singing, seven weeks of Violin, and seven weeks of Piano. Music books, a recorder, and a rental violin will be provided as part of the program. No musical experience necessary!

Instructors
Recorder: Larry Moser
Violin: Judith Souman
Singing: Xander Berchard
Piano: Jessica Khan

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Friday Sept. 9 to Dec. 9, 2022 and Jan. 13 to April 28, 2023
• Time: Fridays at 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Cost: $450 (students must attend the entire program for 28 weeks)
• Ages: 7-10
• Class limit: 10

Email beckettschool@wlu.ca to register!

Broadway 101

Led by Jennie Such, this 12-week musical theatre course focuses on the “triple threat” skills of singing, acting, and dancing.

All students will be assigned a scene from a play and a musical selection. All students will also take part in a musical group number.

The weekly 90-minute class will include theatre games, stagecraft skills, and group singing featuring CCM (commercial contemporary music) techniques. There will also be a dance intensive class lead by guest artist Jason Sermonia, musical company member of the Stratford Festival Theatre.

The academy will culminate in a cabaret performance of staged dramatic scenes and musical numbers from plays and musicals for friends and family.

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Weekly; Sept. 21 to Dec. 7, 2022
• Time: Wednesdays at 6:30 - 8 p.m.
• Cost: $310 ($290 for course, $20 for dance intensive with Jason Semonia)
• Ages: 11-17

Register here!

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. 

Register here!

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.