Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute will be offering something new for the 2019-2020 school year. Beginning on September 24, a Music-for-Credit class for grades 9 to 12 will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 2:15 p.m. to 4 p.m., continuing until May 30, 2020.
Students will need to have their own means of transportation arranged for this after-school activity, which is replacing music in the school-day curriculum.
Musical instruments will be available on loan and there is no fee attached to the use of the instrument. Mouthpieces and neck straps are also available if needed and reeds will be provided in the case of larger instruments.
The after-school, twice-weekly activity will be taught by local music teacher/choir director Linda Crawford and will include not only learning how to play an instrument, but vocal singing, too.
VCI Principal Trevor Wheeler says, “We are really excited to be able to offer this Music for Credit course to our students. We have a number of students wanting to take the course and we are fortunate to be able to work with a member of our community who has a vast experience in this area.”
To afford students and parents the opportunity to meet her and talk about the new program, Crawford said that an open house is taking place this Friday, September 20 at 10:40 a.m. in the music room at the school.
Students will be assessed several times throughout the year, with assessments consisting of singing or playing tests, plus one or two written tests. A considerable part of the student’s mark will be for classroom participation and personal preparation.
Crawford says that already, several local musicians and those with musical experience have offered to be part of this new initiative. The main challenge will be working with students at different skill levels, but Crawford is confident that ensembles and other projects can be geared to groups with similar interests and skill levels.
To register or to find out more, contact the school by calling 613-678-2023.
VCI Principal Trevor Wheeler says, “We are really excited to be able to offer this Music for Credit course to our students. We have a number of students wanting to take the course and we are fortunate to be able to work with a member of our community who has a vast experience in this area.”
