Student Programs
Enrichment Courses
Enrichment Courses are designed to enrich your Suzuki Kingston Musicfest experience -- choose one or more to fit your interests and your schedule.
Enrichment classes are 50 minutes in length, daily from Monday to Friday, with the exception of the last two choices on the list below.
Please scroll down to view all the choices. The enrichments are listed in the following order: piano only; strings only; strings & piano only; flute only; followed by over a dozen enrichments for all.
Some enrichments have age requirements; please respect these when you register.
NEW THIS YEAR!!
Piano Enrichment:
Piano Accompaniment (Collaborative Artist)
Instructor: Anne Palmer
Artistic collaboration training increases and enhances musical skills and prepares the pianist for a broader performing and teaching career. Learn communication skills and rehearsal and ensemble techniques, including the ability to follow an instrumentalist, picking up on both visual and auditory clues. Study with our flute faculty, Anne Palmer, who is also a pianist, and who has experience on both sides of such a duo. This is a rare opportunity for a student pianist to learn collaboration with a professional soloist.
The course includes a daily lesson of four students within a 50-minute class. The music will be chosen from standard flute and piano repertoire and will be provided in advance. In order to facilitate this, registration will close on May 16.
Requirement: Suzuki Book 6 / RCM* Grade 8 playing level
Piano Enrichment:
For the Fun of Fakin’ It
Instructor: Claire Smock
In a keyboard lab students will learn chord-reading and how to improvise accompaniments. Learn how to use the phrase “in the key of…”, learn left-hand patterns to “fill” the rhythm, and learn chord shapes and patterns.
Level I for beginners and those who can read chords
Level II for students with some previous experience reading chords
NEW THIS YEAR!!
Piano Enrichment:
Your Music
Instructor: Cam Schaefer
Ages 13 and up
Play the music you like to listen to; play the music you want to play – today, tomorrow, next year. In this rock / blues / jazz based class, you’ll learn techniques for imitating, improvising – even improving! – your kind of music. Bring your favourite music (recording, mp3 player, web link) to class and learn to play these songs through understanding the basic patterns used. When you become a rock star, you can thank us.
Requirement: Fluency with major and minor scales and chords.
Piano Enrichment:
Heavy Lifting
Instructor: Cam Schaefer
Ages 10 and up
Students will learn to “lift” Beatles songs direct from the original recordings – no notation required! Contrary to popular opinion, anyone can learn to play by ear, and Beatles tunes are excellent ground for developing this skill. This course will introduce you to patterns in popular melody and harmony, and strategies for learning music by ear.
Piano Enrichment:
see: String Enrichment: Small Ensemble Groups (Chamber Music)
now open to piano students!
NEW THIS YEAR!!
String Enrichment:
Viola for Violinists
Instructor: TJ McAvaney
Violinists can explore the beautiful tones of the viola. Working in a group environment, students will learn viola ensemble repertoire, ready for performance at week’s end! Students with violas are asked to bring them; rental violas will be available for additional cost. Suitable for violinists with or without prior viola experience.
Requirement: Open to violinists Book 3 and above
Must be able to read treble clef fluently
String Enrichment:
Fiddling
Instructor: Chris Brennan Hagy
Irish Traditional Fiddling: Come jig it up with Chris and learn the difference between the types of tunes. She will show you some really cool Irish traditional tunes. Try some of the ornaments that will slide right in there to make the tunes really waltz (or was that a hornpipe, slip jig or polka??) This course is for folks who want to have fun. Tape recorders are recommended for the class.
Level I for first time fiddlers; Suzuki Book 2 and 3
Level II for folks who have found fiddling to be fun and who have several tunes and want to improve their ornaments
String Enrichment / Piano Enrichment:
Small Ensemble Groups (Chamber Music)
Instructor: Laurie Mitchell
An enjoyable and rewarding experience for violin, viola, cello & piano students who can read music fluently. Each player has an independent part, which will be mailed out in advance to allow preparation time. The group meets each day to practice and rehearse together, leading up to a performance on Friday. Students will be grouped according to level. New this year: advanced pianists may also apply.
Requirements: All students who enroll in Chamber Music must have fluent sight reading skills at a minimum Book 4 level and previous experience in string ensemble or orchestra playing. Please indicate your level and the instrument you will be playing on the registration form. Registration closes May 16 to allow time to arrange groups and send out music.
Flute Enrichment:
Flute Ensemble
Instructor: Anne Palmer
Experience the joys and challenges of playing flute duets, trios and quartets. Students will learn how to work together with others in an ensemble and will perform together at the end of the week. They will have an opportunity to try out the piccolo, alto and bass flutes. Open to flutists who have been playing flute and reading music for at least one year.
Enrichment for the Very Young:
Music and Movement
Ages 3 through 6
Instructor: Claire Smock
An introduction to making music for the youngest students. This course uses Orff and Kodály techniques to enjoy music through movement, improvisation and singing games. Students will perform in small groups, using Orff accompaniments and singing their own compositions.
Enrichment for All:
Family Chorus
Ages 7 and up
Instructor: Richard Perry
A Broadway classic: Les Misérables ~ medley arr. Ed Lojeski, Hal Leonard Publ.
The Broadway smash hit "Les Misérables" had rave reviews. Ten years ago Family Chorus brought Les Mis to the Kingston stage to wild applause; this production includes: At The End Of The Day; I Dreamed A Dream; Castle On A Cloud; Do You Hear The People Sing; On My Own; Bring Him Home and Finale.
The Family Chorus is designed to encourage and nurture the joy of singing in an ensemble. The name implies not only a chorus for families, but also a chorus as a family. Each session will include a healthy approach to vocal technique, using the body in such a way as to free the voice so that singing can be beautiful, natural and enjoyable.
Enrichment for All:
Music Through The Ages
Instructor: Clayton Scott
New each year! After Music Through The Ages, music will never be the same! Music history is a story – a good story – so this class is conducted in a dramatic and anecdotal manner. The great symphonic works, operas and ballets come alive as their stories in the historical context are dramatically retold.
Level I Ages 6 through 9
Level II Ages 10 and up
Enrichment for All:
Pre-flute with the Yamaha Fife
Ages 7 and up
Instructor: Anne Palmer
Ever wondered what it is like to play a flute? You will get an excellent introduction to this instrument by learning to play a Yamaha fife. While the Yamaha fife is much smaller and more manageable than the silver flute, the basic flute technique and simple tunes you learn on the Yamaha fife will transfer easily to the flute. Everyone will play a silver flute at the end of the week. Students arriving without a Yamaha fife may purchase one through the instructor at the first class for a cost of C$10.
Enrichment for All:
Dragon Drumming
Instructor: Jodie Compeau
Dragon Drumming is based on a Japanese form of drumming called Taiko. Students will learn basic drumming skills and rhythmic concepts. This class will promote group playing, focus and concentration. Come out, grab a garbage can and have some fun! By popular demand, we have added an adult session this year!!
Level I Ages 7 through 10
Level II Ages 11 and up
Level III Adult – NEW THIS YEAR!!
Enrichment for All:
Introduction to Guitar
Instructor: Adam Kossler
Open to students with no previous guitar experience. Using the Suzuki approach, you will learn the fundamentals for guitar playing in this fun-filled class, and in just five days you will learn to be prepared to perform in an optional recital.
Enrichment for All:
Popular Guitar for Everyone
Instructor: Adam Kossler
Open to students with some previous guitar experience. This class will explore popular guitar music and will be geared to the individual interests of the class participants. You will also enjoy the social benefits of guitar playing, particularly in learning how to accompany other instruments or the voice through chording and picking techniques.
NEW THIS YEAR!!
Enrichment for All:
Composer Portrait Painting Project
Ages 10 and up
Instructor: Stephani Dimopoulos DiCocco
This new offering will examine how artists paint classical portraits. Students will use images of composers of their choice in the creation of a painted portrait that interprets musical compositions with color!
Enrichment for All:
Block Printing
Ages 8 and up
Instructor: Stephani Dimopoulos DiCocco
Learn how to cut into a rubber block to create reproducible images. Inherent in block printing is the expression of drawing skills, textural and surface design, unending color blends and applications, opportunities for many collage diversities and multiple copies of prints to share with others. What more could one desire?
Enrichment for All:
Mixed Media
Ages 8 and up
Instructor: Stephani Dimopoulos DiCocco
Students will use a variety of art materials, including watercolours, pen & ink, charcoal and oil pastels to create unique works of art.
Enrichment for All:
Clay Sculpture Creations
Instructor: Stephani Dimopoulos DiCocco
Students will learn the basics of clay sculpting. Each student will make a piece to take home at the end of the week. Bring your imagination!
Enrichment for All:
Sketching: Environment & Architecture
Ages 6 and up
Instructor: Stephani Dimopoulos DiCocco
Students will develop sketches, drawings and pencil watercolour works using Queen’s campus and its lovely architecture. Parents are strongly enoucraged to stay with younger students, as the class will be going outside to work. Sketch books will be provided.
NEW THIS YEAR!!
Enrichment for All:
Open Art Studio
Instructor: Stephani Dimopoulos DiCocco
This new offering will provide a space, and supplies, for an evening session of painting or other studio work. Each student will develop an individual project. Sessions will be facilitated and guided by an art instructor. Parents and children are equally welcome – come and relax and create visual art after a day of making music!
Enrichment for All:
Alexander Technique
Instructor: Tanya Bénard
FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS AND OBSERVERS
Private lessons will be offered in this recognized method for managing stress and optimizing performance. These sessions are particularly recommended for people looking to free themselves from excess tension, both in everyday life and at the instrument, and especially for all teachers and performers (musicians and/or actors). Times for lessons are to be arranged with the instructor.
