What you need to know

Have fun with us playing music
in one of our bands.

No matter the band you'll choose (Initiation, Adagio or Allegro), it'll provide a friendly and pressure-free learning environment in which you will be able to grow, thrive, and make new friends.

No prior musical experience required for the Initiation band.

Orientation

For people who never played music before:
An Orientation is organized the week prior the beginning of the semester.
This information session provides all the information needed to join the band (where to get the instrument, rental programs, etc.)
If you cannot attend the Orientation but are interested to join, please email us.

Fall Orientation

A Zoom orientation session was held on September 21nd, 2021. Click the link to view the video recording.

Winter Orientation:

Jan. 18th 2022, time, location, and other details: to be posted

People with some musical background may join at anytime. Don't hesitate to contact us for more details.

Semesters

Note that during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic we are offering a virtual band for those people who may feel uncomfortable in a face-to-face environment (for people at the Adagio or Allegro levels).
The registration periods occur at the beginning of each semester (September, January, and April).
Please note that Initiation groups are only formed during Fall and Winter terms (because the Spring term is shorter, we cannot offer a class for people who never played before).

In-person rehearsals

Fall: 12 weeks
- September 28th to December 14th, 2021
Winter: 12 weeks
- January 25th to April 19th, 2022 (No rehearsal on March 1st)
Spring: 8 weeks
- April 26th to June 14th, 2022

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Double vaccination is mandatory to participate in our in-person activities
It is strongly recommended to have a bell cover for your instrument. You can buy it in music stores (Twigg, Archambault, Long and McQuade) or on Amazon.
It will be important to arrive only 5 minutes before the start of your rehearsal, to avoid having too many people in the rooms at the same time.
No break will be planned during the rehearsals of the Initiation and Adagio bands. A 15-minute break is scheduled for the Allegro group. No coffee or food will be served on site.

Virtual band

Fall: 12 weeks
- September 29th to December 15th, 2021

For online activities, you will need a computer (with video camera), a cell phone or a pad, as well as a good internet connection. That's all. We will email you a Zoom link to join the meetings on a single click!

Registration fees

In-person rehearsals

Fall : $120
Winter: $120
Spring $80

On-line rehearsals

Fall: $60
Winter $60
Spring: $40

*Instrument not included in the registration fees
*Please note that registration fees are payable by Interac electronic transfers ONLY.

Registration

Registration deadlines
Returning members: Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021
New members: Friday, September 24th, 2021
On-line rehearsals: new deadline October 3rd, 2021

Schedules

Initiation group & Adagio Band (In-Person)

Tuesday, 6:15 to 7:30 pm

Allegro band (In-person)

Tuesday from 7:45pm to 9:30 pm

Virtual Band (Online)
Wednesday, 1:00 to 2:15 pm

Levels

There are three groups to better serve our musicians.
If you wonder which one to choose, here is a description for each of them:

The Initiation group is for people who never played music before and are starting a wind or percussion instrument for the very first time. It is also for people who learned music in their childhood and want to re-learn how to play after a break of a few decades. In this group, musicians learn the basic technique on their instrument (including posture, fingerings, breathing techniques, etc.) as well as how to read notes and understand music theory. At the end of the term, musicians are able to play 1 or 2 easy band pieces.
The Adagio Band is the next step after initiation. It goes further into the instrumental technique: musicians start to expand their range on the instrument, build endurance to play for longer periods of time, explore sight-reading and improvisation, etc. They also start performing more pieces, usually 4 to 6 per semester. The repertoire is mostly classical music, with incursions in other styles such as jazz, film music and broadway musicals.
The Allegro band is the most advanced level. It is for people who are intermediate musicians and who want to start challenging themselves a little more. The repertoire changes every semester, is varied (classical, jazz, world music, contemporary, theme music, etc.) and often includes original compositions or arrangements. There are multiple opportunities to perform each term, in full concert band and smaller groups.

Location of the in-person rehearsals

Collège Jean-Eudes, situé au 3535 Bd Rosemont, Montréal, QC, H1X 1K7
(entrance at the corner of rue de Bellechasse and 15e avenue)

If you have questions, please contact us
...and our team will write you back soon!