|
Dear Parent/Guardian, for in coming Grade Nine Students for 2013-2014
As you know, Port Credit will be holding a grade 9 Leadership Camp experience in September. Please note, however, that the Regional Strings Program will also be holding a program-specific Regional Strings Music Camp Retreat in the fall. It is a program expectation that ALL students in the Regional Strings Program (grades 9-12) will attend. This year, our retreat will take place from Wednesday, October 16th - Friday, October 18th, 2013 at Camp Wahanowin , in Orillia, Ontario (about 90 minutes from Mississauga). Camp Wahanowin hosts National Music Camp every summer and, as such, they are especially well-equipped to host a school music retreat. At camp, students will be engaged in musical activities led by Port Credit teachers, as well as invited guest clinicians and professional camp staff. Activities include: music theory and history lessons; large ensemble rehearsals; chamber music rehearsals; community building; leadership activities; individual, and small group, coaching; and, a culminating performance on the last day of camp. Further information, along with a permission form and a camp itinerary, can be found on our school website, under the "Regional Strings Program" area. The cost of the trip is $178.00 per student, and we are asking students to please bring in their cheques and permission forms to school on the first day of classes to secure your spot. If paying by cheque , please make the cheque payable to "Port Credit Secondary School," and write "Regional Strings Retreat" in the memo line. Should you have any questions or concerns about the trip (including financial), please feel free to contact Andrew Kizas or Aviva Lufer at the school at 905-278-3382, ext. 426. While parents/guardians are certainly free to send their children to both camp experiences, we are asking that you make the program-specific Regional Strings Camp retreat a priority. We look forward to welcoming your child to an exciting year in the Regional Strings Program at PCSS !
Application Process will open the Day after
the Grade 8 Open House November 2013 and close December 2013
Successful Grade 8 Students
Click here for to Print Course Selection Form
Regional Strings Program
Port Credit Secondary School
2012-2013 |
|
Message from Regional Strings
The Regional Strings Program began in September 2003, building upon a long-standing tradition of musical excellence at Port Credit. Graduates of the music program at Port Credit include: Jeremy Bell, violinist with the Penderecki String Quartet; Krisztina Szabo, soprano soloist with the Canadian Opera Company; and Suhashini Aurlanandam, violinist with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.
All students seeking admission to the program must undergo an interview (Beginning Strings), or an audition and interview (Experienced Strings and Advanced Strings). This ensures that students are placed at a level that most suits their current abilities. Although a student’s program choice will be taken into consideration, the admissions committee will place each student in the appropriate stream based on their audition and prior experience.
The Regional Strings Program is the only program of its kind in the Peel District School Board. Students receive a certificate upon completion of the four year program. This program is a two-credit package; students take music in both semesters!
Musical opportunities include:
- an annual retreat
- touring
- professional coaching sessions
- attendance at live concerts and rehearsals
- master classes with professional musicians
- an educational excursion to Europe in alternate years.
In addition to providing our students with an opportunity to excel in music, students in the Regional Strings Program develop long-lasting friendships with their fellow musicians that continue throughout their years at Port Credit and beyond. Moreover, while some of our students have chosen to pursue post-secondary education in music, many others have sought out challenging career and educational opportunities in the humanities, sciences, law, and medicine. As you probably know, research has shown that studying music improves academic ability, self-discipline, motivation, and self-confidence.
The Regional Strings Program at Port Credit Secondary School is open to all students in the Peel District School Board, regardless of where they live. In keeping with the Board’s policy for regional programs, bussing is not provided. Paid transportation, however, is available to students through Trott Transit.
Please note that Peel District School Board policy states that students who choose to leave a Regional Program must return to their "home" school, and may not continue at the Regional program school if they are not participating in the program.
Interview / Audition requirements Click Here
Click Video Link
___________________________________________________________________________________________
What is the Regional Strings Program?
The Port Credit Secondary School Regional Strings program provides a year-long secondary school program for violin, viola, cello and bass. It is the only secondary school program of its kind in the Peel District School Board. Students have the opportunity to explore the many facets of string playing through
- Advanced Strings: This program is best suited for advanced strings students. To be considered for this program, students should have at least two years of experience on their instrument. This program is geared towards students who are willing to take on leadership rolls.
- Intermediate Strings: This program is best suited for students who have one or two years of experience on a violin, viola, chello, or double bass. A placement audition is required.
- Beginning Strings: This program is best suited for students who have very little or no prior experience on the violin, viola, chello, or double bass. There is an interview for this program and students will be given a listening test to determine their musical aptitude.
Musical opportunities range from full symphonic orchestra to small ensembles, to solo performances accompanied by orchestra. A certificate is granted upon completion of four years of the Regional Strings Program.
What does the Regional Strings Program include?
Through four years of study, students have the opportunity to learn through various methods, including:
- Regular professional coaching sessions
- Performances in the community
- Education excursion to Europe in alternate years
- Attendance at live concerts and rehearsals
- Score reading/analysis repertoire studied
- Master classes with Canada’s leading quartets
- A focus on literacy through musical study
Who can apply to the Regional Strings Program?
- Advanced strings players wishing to enhance their skills and expand their repertoire through the Advaned Strings program.
- Intermediate string players who wish to continue instruction in an intermediate string class.
- Students with no experience who are keen to begin study of the violin, viola, cello or bass in a beginning string class.
What are the advantages for the advanced players?
Development of string ensemble playing through many aspects of performance:
- Opportunities to perform solo with an orchestra
- Expansion of string orchestra repertoire
- Opportunity to study and perform in duet, trio, quartet ensemble
- Opportunities to achieve overall improved grade point average
- Leadership opportunities
How can I apply for the Regional Strings Program?
Students are invited to complete an application package available online under "application process" starting November 28th and ending December 10th at 4:00 p.m..
Where is Regional Strings?
Strings is located at Port Credit Secondary School, 70 Mineola Road East, in Mississauga – served by Mississauga Transit’s Route 19 bus (Highway 10/Hurontario Street) and close to the Port Credit GO train station. The school does not provide transportation, but we will support families in organizing car pools.