Musicianship and Orchestra

About Our Classes

Music theory is the language of music and can provide the foundation for many uses from songwriting to music appreciation.

Musicianship classes are all about building your skills as a musician and often include explorations of music theory put into practical usage ranging from guided listening to honing technique in ensemble playing in your instrument.

More class information can be found in our online registration system or by clicking on the course links below. Browse all of our registration options.

*New students who join this program in January will join students who started this program in September.

^Previous playing experience is required to join this group. Click to learn more.

Advanced Musicianship

Develop musicianship skills through a singing-theory lesson in our Advanced Musicianship course. Students will develop such skills as: sight-singing, art-singing, analysis of musical structure, and development of musical memory. Topics will include scales, intervals, triads, and their inversions, simple bass progressions, keyboard harmony, rhythm reading, and rhythm and melodic dictation. Students should be performing or working towards their RCM Level 6+ or equivalent in any instrument type. This is a Kodály-based approach that uses solfege. Access to a piano for practice is an asset but not required. Please contact our Student & Instructor Services Non-Credit Office if you are unsure if your child is at the appropriate level to join this program. This program is taught by Allison Luff.

Conservatory Youth Orchestra (Winds/Brass/Strings)

This Conservatory Youth Orchestra is a beginner/intermediate orchestra for students who are looking for ensemble learning experiences. This program is open to all players studying typical orchestral winds (clarinet/oboe/flute/piccolo/bassoon), brass (trumpet/tuba/baritone/trombone/french horn), string (cello/violin/viola/double bass/harp), and percussion (timpani/marimba/xylophone and others) instruments. This is perfect for Private Lesson students looking for experience playing in a group and elementary band players curious about orchestral music. Players will spend the first 45 minutes with a clinician in their instrument area, then will join the rest of the Regina Community Orchestra (RCO) members for the first 45 minutes of rehearsal as a large group. Both groups will be learning the same repertoire throughout the term. The Conservatory Youth Orchestra is open to anyone without audition; however, basic instrumental and musical skills in your instrument of 2 years at minimum is required to join. This group is directed by Adrian Casas.

Conservatory Youth String Orchestra (Violin/Cello/Viola/Double Bass)

This Conservatory Youth String Orchestra is a beginner orchestra for string students who are graduating out of our Youth Strings Program (ages 3-7) or who have spent 2 years in Private Lessons and are looking for an ensemble to build their skills. This orchestra introduces students to playing music from a variety of periods, working as an ensemble musician, and improving sight reading skills. This orchestra will continue important music theory and ensemble playing skills developed in the Youth Strings Program. There is no audition required to join this orchestra but students should have at minimum 2 years playing experience in violin, cello, viola, or double bass. Once players are 12 years old they can join the Conservatory Youth Orchestra. This group is directed by Alaina Majewski.

Regina Community Orchestra

The Regina Community Orchestra is open to adults and older youth who want to play symphonic music (strings, winds, brass, percussion) both classical and contemporary. This affordable ensemble provides an opportunity for members to play music that they enjoy, develop their musical skills further, and socialize with others having similar interests. This course is open to anyone without audition; however, basic instrumental and musical skills are necessary since the orchestra's principal objective is improving playing for intermediate/advanced players. This group is directed by Adrian Casas.

The Conservatory of Performing would like to thank the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association and the Saskatchewan Band Association for their financial support of our youth and adult orchestral programming.

University Concert Band (non-credit)

The University Concert Band is a non-auditioned ensemble open to all university students and adult community members. This ensemble focuses on performing exciting and dynamic repertoire. Please contact Brent Ghiglione to book an audition time and/or interview for admittance into the band. 

University Jazz Ensemble I (non-credit)

The University Jazz Ensemble I is open to all university students and adult community members. Please contact Dave Dick to book an audition time for admittance to the ensemble.

University Jazz Ensemble II (non-credit)

The University Jazz Ensemble II is an auditioned Jazz Ensemble that is open to all univeristy students and adult community members. Please contact Chad Huel to book an audition time for admittance to the ensemble.

University New Music Ensemble (non-credit)

The University New Music Ensemble is open to all university students and adult community members. It is an open instrumentation ensemble that studies and performs works of the 20th and 21st century music and is invaluable for any music student, but particularly for students majoring in composition. This ensemble allows for rehearsal and performance of newly created student compositions, works for open ensemble by contemporary composers such as Reich, Cage, and others, and skills in improvisation.Please contact David Dick to arrange an audition for admittance to this ensemble.

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