Chilliwack Academy of Music

Register for Summer Classes

Graham — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:01:21 +0000

June is the month to sign up for our exciting line-up of summer classes!

We have a full roster of teachers ready to give private lessons, too. Why take summer private lessons?

Try music lessons for less cost and time commitment, to see if you like them!
Keep the skills you honed during the school year sharp, and hit the ground running in September!
Take advantage of a more relaxed atmosphere that can work around your busy summer schedule of fun while maintaining your musical interest!

Early Registration for Current Students

Graham — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:00:49 +0000

Registration for returning students is now open. The month of June is reserved for early registration so that existing students may have priority in selecting their preferred private lesson day and time slot. These slots are available on a first come first served basis, so take advantage because general registration begins July 2!

Tayosei in concert, June 4

Graham — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:56:23 +0000

We invite everyone to come to Tayosei’s first ever feature concert! This award-winning children’s choir will astound you with their singing, ukulele-playing and hand drumming; and entrance you with their energy and exuberance. The concert is June 4 (tonight) at 7 pm in the Cultural Centre’s Rotary Hall. It is free and open to the public. As special invited guests, CSOPA’s junior and intermediate vocal groups will perform as well. Both of these groups are led vocally by the Academy’s Lisa Scyner, and Tayosei is led on the ukulele by Continue Reading

Academy Awards Show, May 25

Graham — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:55:00 +0000

Join us for an inspiring afternoon of music and special awards. Academy students who have won various awards, including our in-house scholarships, perform in this free, public concert. New this year: top earners from our recent “April is Practice Month” points challenge will receive recognition for their accomplishments, and students nominated by the faculty for demonstrating positive qualities will receive “character awards.”

Sure to be a heart-warming and entertaining event for the whole family, the Academy invites you to the Rotary Hall on Saturday, May 25 at 1:30 pm for the first ever Academy Awards Show!

For more information, visit the event’s website.

In Memory of Shaun Taylor

Graham — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:09:17 +0000

Friends and colleagues of Shaun Taylor, the former Principal of the Chilliwack Academy of Music, were deeply saddened to learn of his sudden passing on April 9, 2013.

Shaun Taylor assumed the role of Principal in September, 2005 and became an important member of Chilliwack’s, and indeed, British Columbia’s artistic community, where he was highly respected. His initiatives such as Chilliwack Brass created performance opportunities for fellow musicians and entertainment for the public. Another of Shaun’s initiatives was the formation of the Young Artists’ Competition, a joint venture with the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra. Shaun was also responsible for forming partnerships with some local schools.

Shaun was a member of Rotary where he actively contributed to the work of this organization while making many friends.

When Chilliwack’s new Cultural Centre was being planned, Shaun’s contributions to its design were many. He spent countless hours helping with the planning while also attending to his duties as the Academy’s principal. Just as this magnificent building was nearing completion, Shaun announced his resignation as he was assuming a new position in Vancouver. He maintained many friendships with people in Chilliwack and these friends and colleagues will remember his legacy and miss him greatly.

Shaun is survived by his wife, Niki, three daughters, Brenna, Daphne and Noelle, his mother and father, and two sisters.

The Academy has received several donations in Shaun’s memory and will be determining how best to use these to remember his contributions and legacy in the community.

For the obituary and Guest Book click here

Scholarship Competition, May 10 & 11

Graham — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:51:07 +0000

We will be holding our annual scholarship competition auditions on Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11. Those who submitted applications by the deadline on April 2 will be able to view the audition schedule which will be posted on the bulletin board in the studios hallway shortly. Good luck to everyone and happy practising!

“Nordic Reflections” by Festival Chorus, May 4 & 5

Graham — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:48:45 +0000

When people travel to exotic places, they usually head south. When they explore exotic music, though, they often head north. It is in the spirit of musical exploration that the Chilliwack Festival Chorus presents “Nordic Reflections”: a spring concert that features a rare set of haunting and playful music from Scandinavia. A “choral journey in latitude” according to director Paula Quick, lands represented include Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. While the sounds and languages may be unfamiliar, audiences can look forward to powerful and moving music that speaks of the pride of one’s rugged homeland and the virtues that have long influenced the mythology of western culture. But there will be familiar sounds, too: the “Finlandia” hymn, for instance – sung gloriously by a semi-chorus of men’s voices – or an extraordinary setting of the favourite hymn “How Great Thou Art” which borrows its melody from a Swedish folksong.

The concert is also a commemoration of the ongoing leadership of the Chorus’ director, Paula Quick, who celebrates her 15^th year with the group this season. In recognition of this, the Chorus will perform a retrospective of favourite Festival Chorus selections from the past, including Lauridsen’s “Sure on This Shining Night”, Frank Ticheli’s “Earth Song”, and “Exaudi! Laudate!” by Beverly Patton for women’s choir.

“Nordic Reflections” takes place on May 4 at 7:30 pm and May 5 at 2:30 pm, at Carman United Church (corner of Vedder and Webb). Tickets are $20 for general admission, $17 for seniors and $8 for students 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased through the Centre box office at 604.391.SHOW (7469) or online at www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, click here.

Passionate Trios Concert for Violin, Cello and Piano

Graham — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:25:06 +0000

On Sunday, April 14, enjoy an afternoon of Romantic masterpieces performed by Li-Ling Liao, violin; Brian Mix, cello; and Nikolai Maloff, piano. Two great works composed by Schumann and Brahms speak of the passion and turmoil of these two friends made rivals through the love for one woman, Schumann’s wife, Clara. Schumann’s Piano Trio No. 3, Op. 110 – composed when his and Clara’s love was new and thrilling – precedes Brahms’ Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 8 – composed as Brahms and Clara forged ever deepening bonds and Schumann’s mind began to unravel. Lose yourself in the passionate tones of this double-header of beautiful music as the emotional turbulence of these 3 people is brought to life through classical music.

Click here for more information or to purchase tickets to this exquisite concert.

Spring Break

Graham — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:41:28 +0000

The Academy offices will be closed for spring break starting Thursday, March 14 at 4:30 pm and reopening at 9:00 am on Monday, March 25.

Private lessons and group classes are not held on days when the school district is not in session (i.e. Monday-Friday, March 18-22); however, your teacher may schedule make-up lessons since the building is open. Please contact your teacher directly if you are unsure whether you are expected to attend a lesson during spring break.

Financial Assistance Application Deadline: April 2

Graham — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:23:25 +0000

All applications for Scholarships and Bursaries are due April 2 at 4:30. You can download the application forms here.

This year, the Academy is pleased to be awarding over $30,000 in ability-based scholarships and need-based bursaries to help cover the cost of private lessons at the Academy. Also included in that total are a number of awards made available to all graduating students in the Chilliwack area who are pursuing post-secondary music programs.

These awards are available thanks to the generous support of 89.5 The Hawk, the estate of Charles Lygo, the Joanne Patricia Stoutjesdyk Memorial fund, and many individual donations by businesses and individuals over the year.

The Academy is proud to offer financial assistance to all members of the Chilliwack community, and believes that “Music is a Gift for Life.”