Piano Enrichment Performance Program (PEPP)

Are you looking for regular performance opportunities to enhance your musicianship as a pianist? PEPP offers a supportive group environment where young pianists can develop greater confidence, musicianship skills, and overall performance preparation. This program is perfect for those preparing for exams, recitals, festivals, and other performance events. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Bi-weekly; Jan. 12 - May 18, 2023 
• Time: Thursdays at 6 or 7 p.m. (1-hour duration)
• Cost: $250
• Level: RCM 8+

 *Contact beckettschool@wlu.ca to register. 

Improvisation Ensemble

There is an art to "making it up as you go". This ensemble will introduce participants to the art of improvisation using the Blues and Jazz as the framework to explore improvisation techniques. The knowledge gained is applicable to any style of music. All instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome! A working knowledge of your instrument is required. The ensemble is led by Dave O'Neill. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Weekly; Jan. 9 - March 6, 2023 (no rehearsal on Feb. 20)
• Time: Mondays at 7 - 8 p.m.
• Cost: $225 
• Ages: 15+

 Register

Percussion Ensemble

In the beginning there was rhythm. This percussion ensemble will focus on learning, rehearsing, and performing rhythmic songs that draw on elements of world percussion styles. Bring your d'jembe's, bongos, congas, whatever you have! Percussion instruments will also be available. No experience necessary! The ensemble is led by Dave O'Neill. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Weekly; Mar. 20 - May 8, 2023 (no rehearsal on Feb. 20)
• Time: Mondays at 7 - 8 p.m.
• Cost: $225 
• Ages: 15+

Register

Adult Choir

Love to sing? Want to connect and make music with new folks in your community? The Beckett School at Laurier Community Choir is open for its inaugural season! This 12-session program will run weekly on Tuesday evenings. Join us as we explore a variety of genres and singing styles together through flexible methods. Note reading is not required. Multi-instrumentalists are welcome. Come and jam! Led by Greer Schatz. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Weekly; Jan. 10 - April 4 (no rehearsal March 14)
• Time: Tuesdays at 7:15 - 8:45 p.m.
• Cost: $215
• Ages: 16+

Register

Youth Choir

Looking for a way for your tween/teen to connect with others who love to sing fun music? The Beckett School at Laurier Youth Choir is starting this January! Our 12-week program will introduce singers aged 8-15 to group singing through a variety of styles and music genres and through a variety of learning methods. The students will learn to read music, build their singing skills, and meet new friends! Tuesdays from 6 - 7 p.m. See you there! Led by Greer Schatz. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Weekly; Jan. 10 - April 4 (no rehearsal March 14)
• Time: Tuesdays at 6 - 7 p.m.
• Cost: $195
• Ages: 8-15

Register

Fiddle Jams

Led by Shane Guse, join us for a monthly fiddle jam! This is a drop-in event. This is a fun and supportive group setting where you play when you can, listen when you can't, and make sure to take note of new tunes you hear and want to explore. This is open to players of all ages and levels. If you have never played fiddle before, this is a great opportunity to try it out. The goal is to have fun, build confidence and repertoire, and hopefully introduce fiddling to those who have never had the opportunity to try it. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Sundays: Jan. 29, Feb. 26, Mar. 26, April 23, 2023
• Time: 7:15 - 8:15 p.m.
• Cost: $5 for non-BSL students; free for BSL students
• Ages: All (should have minimum basic proficiency on your instrument) 

Video Game Music Appreciation

Characters' 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? In this small group class, students explore how protagonists’ (heroes’) and antagonists’ (villains’) themes in video games reflect the personalities of the characters they represent through guided listening, analysis, and class discussions. Students also have the opportunity to analyse or compose a hero’s theme and a villain’s theme and present their work to the class at the end of the course. 

• Location: Virtual
• Dates: Thursdays; starting Jan. 19, 2023 to April 13, 2023 (no class March Break)
• Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $290 
• Ages: 13+

Register

Music and Landscapes

Have you ever wondered why fields and forests in video games are so relaxing while areas like caves and ruins make you feel worried about getting attacked by monsters at any moment? In this class, students explore music for pastoral (peaceful) and eerie landscapes in video games and examine how it affects how we feel about the places we visit in virtual worlds through guided listening, analysis, and class discussions. They also have the opportunity to analyse or compose a piece of music for a pastoral and a creepy landscape and present their work to the class at the end of the course.

• Location: Virtual
• Dates: Thursdays; starting Jan. 19, 2023 to April 13, 2023 (no class March Break)
• Time: 7:45 - 8:45 p.m.
• Cost: $290 
• Ages: 13+