A Sound to Remember

Students at UC begin their four year musical journey in instrumental music as early as grade five. They choose an instrument that is suitable for their particular embouchure with the expertise of the instructor. Music curriculum at UC comprises more than just piano lessons for beginners; our students have a choice of most of the wind, brass, and percussion instruments to assist them in the process of becoming musically educated. The focus is on giving the students a music education programme to read music and develop their skills on their instrument of choice. They learn about melodic and rhythmic accuracy, dynamics and phrasing, as well as interpretation of the appropriate style in a variety of musical genres which bring music to life.

Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of our grade eight concert and jazz bands performing with a musical energy uncommon at this grade! As an incentive, students have the opportunity to play in festivals such as Music Alive and Music Fest. Our drum enthusiasts will thrill to the pulsating rhythms of our African Drumming Ensemble. All of our five bands are award winning ensembles at the platinum and gold levels in provincial and national festivals.

Vocal Music

Unionville College music education programme provides vocal music classes beginning in Grade 1. The students learn to sing through reading music notation in solfège (a method used to teach pitch and sight singing using doh, re, mi), as well as in letter names. The singing is accompanied by learning to play Orff instruments, such as xylophones and glockenspiels. Proper vocal technique is taught progressively through the elementary grades, with an emphasis on mastery of pitch, volume and timbre. All students in Grades 1 & 2 are given private keyboard lessons, once a week, as a regular feature of the curriculum. Each Grade participates in a musical every spring. This year Grade 2 will produce Mary Poppins, and Grade 3 will produce Bach to the Future. Grade 3 brings the integration of playing recorder into music class, in preparation for playing wind instruments in Grade 5.

Three choirs are offered and available to all students at UC. This includes the Primary and Junior Choir, as well as the award winning Appassionata Singers, Grades 6-8. Older students can participate in a larger theatrical production; this year we have “The Wizard of Oz”. Regular participation in festivals, annual school concerts, and other extra-curricular trips are features of membership in UC choirs, bringing vocal music fully to life.