> Douglas College Home > Programs > Continuing Education > Programs and Courses > Community Music School > General Courses

General Courses

All group class rates are based on minimum enrollment. Rates and class times are subject to change if minimum enrollments are not met.

Banjo Ensemble

Beginner bluegrass banjo class focuses on establishing fundamental skills such as tuning, proper hand position, basic chords, strumming in time, pick technique, and basics of sight reading. Students engage in exercises as a class and learn a handful of simple songs. The program culminates with a short performance for family and friends.

Tuesday Evenings - April 6 - June 22 (12 Weeks)
Time: 8:00-9:00
Instructor: Devon Wells
Fee: $195
David Lam Campus

Bluegrass Ensemble

Bluegrass workshop is a program fro novice-intermediate players who wish to learn to play with other in a bluegrass ensemble. It is open to guitarists, banjo players, fiddlers, mandolin players, bass players, singers, and dobro players.

Tuesday Evenings - April 6 - June 22 (12 Weeks)
Time: 9:00-10:00
Instructor: Devon Wells
Fee: $195
David Lam Campus

Brass Ensemble

Students will learn basic instrumental techniques, section and ensemble skills, and a basic history of music and their instrument. More specifically, each student will be encouraged to discover more about their instrument through research and performance. They will all have the opportunity to perform as an integral part of the ensemble and play the role of a soloist. Also, in order to help them understand the music better, they will all have a change to conduct their peers in both rehearsal and performance.

Saturdays, April 10 - June 26 (12 Weeks)
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 am
Instructor: Geeta Das
Fee: $195

Class Piano I

Learn to play piano by ear!

This class will be held in Douglas College's bright, modern piano lab where individual electronic pianos are connected with headphones to the teacher's console. This system has the unique advantage of combining the qualities of a group class with the personalized attention of a private lesson. Although it is a group class, you will be able to work in privacy, at your own level and at your own pace, learning the type of music you like best. No previous experience required.

Thursday Evenings, April 8 - June 24 (12 weeks)
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
Instructor: Allen Stiles
NWC 3220
Fee: $195

Concert Band

Douglas College welcomes community members to join the student Concert Band! Auditions required.

Wednesday Evenings, April 7- June 23 (12 weeks)
Time: 7:00 - 9:00
Instructor: Blair Fisher
Fee: $55

Dues Jazz Band

Douglas College welcomes community members to join the student Dues Band. Auditions required.

Thursday Afternoons, April 8 - June 24 (12 weeks)
Time: 4:30-6:30
Fee: $55

Flute Class

The flute class is open to any enthusiastic flute players who are comfortable with RCM Grade 6 materials and beyond. This fun class will be helpful in improving chamber music and sight reading skills. Class time will be equally divided between solo repertoire and chamber music. The last session will be open to families and friends for an informal performance of favourite selections covered within class.

Flute class will not be offered this term.

Guitar Basics

Guitar Basics introduces you to the many different styles and techniques of guitar playing. You will explore a wide range of music genres from folk and world music, to rock and blues. Learn how to build chords and understand how they work in progressions, and develop the techniques needed to perform scales and finger-picking. Improvisational playing will also be covered, and you will have the chance to jam with other guitarists in the friendly class environment. All levels are welcome whether you are a beginner playing your first chords, or an advanced player hoping to improve your technique, Guitar Basics is the ideal course for you.

Wednesday Evenings, April 7- June 23 (12 weeks)
Time: 7:00-8:00
Instructor: Stanton Jack
Fee: $195

Guitar Intermediate

Those students that have completed Guitar Basics, or those with guitar experience are invited to expand on their knowledge with note reading and ensemble playing.

Wednesday Evenings, April 7- June 23 (12 weeks)
Time: 6:00-7:00
Instructor: Stanton Jack
Fee: $195

Group Guitar - Beginner

Beginner group guitar class focuses on establishing fundamental skills such as tuning, proper hand position, basic chords, strumming in time, pick technique, and basics of sight reading. Students engage in exercises as a class and learn a handful of simple songs. The program culminates with a short performance for family and friends at the end of the last class.

Tuesday Evenings, April 6 - June 22 (12 Weeks)
Time: Youth 12-17 yrs., 6:00-7:00
Adult 18 yrs & up, 7:00-8:00
Instructor: Devon Wells
Fee: $195
David Lam Campus

Korean Music Ensemble

Grace Jong Eun Lee, a composer and performer dedicated to inter-culturalism, will illustrate the Korean musical tradition and the intercultural music she has created by bringing this tradition together with the Kayagum music and instrument of the west. She will teach both traditional Kayagum and Korean instruments.

Wednesday Afternoons, April 7 - June 23 (12 Weeks)
Time: 4:30-6:30
Instructor: Grace JE Lee
David Lam Campus A1470

Fee based on minimum enrollment. Call for details.

Music Appreciation - Learning to Listen

Participants will learn to listen to music like a musician by understanding a piece's emotion and culture. Open to anyone at all, but designed specifically for music lovers.

Thursday Evenings, April 8 - June 24 (12 Weeks)
Time: TBA
Instructor: Allen Stiles
Fee: $195

Percussion Ensemble

Douglas College welcomes community members to join the student Percussion Ensemble!

Tuesday Afternoons, April 6 - June 22 (12 weeks)
Time: 2:30-3:30
Instructor: Bob Caldwell
Fee: $95

Rock Ensemble

Get a taste of the rock and roll life at the School of Rock. You'll learn rock guitar, bass, keyboard, drum and/or vocals from professional musicians, play with your peers and perform publicly as a rock group. There will also be an opportunity to work in the Douglas College recording studio at the New Westminster Campus.

Saturdays, April 10 - June 26 (12 weeks)
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Instructor: Cameron Hood
Fee: $150

Singing - Learn to Sing Youth & Adult

Learn to sing in a supportive and nurturing environment. This class will cover the fundamentals of singing including breath control, power, resonance and developing flexibility in the voice. We will explore various styles of music from music theatre, pop, and classical. The term will culminate with a short concert for family and friends.

Friday evenings, April 9 - June 25 (12 weeks)
Time: Youth 8-17 yrs., 5:30-6:30 - $80.00
Adult 18 yrs. & up, 6:30-7:30 - $80.00
Instructor: Christina Fantini
David Lam Campus

Violin Class

Thursday Afternoons, April 8 - June 24 (12 weeks)
Time: 4:15-4:45
Instructor: Lindita Musaraj
Fee: $95

Vocal Technique and Performance I

Discover your voice! This is a group class for beginners age 18+ encompassing all styles of music. Technique study will cover warming up, vocal exercises, posture, breathing, proper vowels, and vocal registers. Performance study will involve singing as a group, singing solo, working with an accompanist, lyric interpretation, and stage presence.

Thursday Evenings, April 8- June 10 (10 weeks)
Time: 6:30-7:30 TBC
Instructor: Sara Zacharias
Fee: $125 TBC

Vocal Technique and Performance II

Uncover your vocal potential! This is a group class for adults age 18+ who have had previous vocal training. The basics of vocal technique will be reviewed and a more in-depth study will cover balanced resonance, tonal placement, vibrato, dynamic phrasing, and rhythmic phrasing. Performance study will involve in class solos to work on stage presence, performance anxiety, stylistic interpretation within genres, lyric interpretation and mic technique.

Thursday Evenings, April 8 - June 10 (10 Weeks)
Time: 7:30-8:30 TBC
Instructor: Sara Zacharias
Fee: $125 TBC

Vocal Technique and Performance III

This is a group class for adults age 18+ who have had previous vocal training. Building upon vocal techniques learned in Vocal Technique and Performance II this class will further develop balanced resonance, tonal placement, vibrato, dynamic phrasing, and rhythmic phrasing. Performance study will involve in class solos to work on stage presence, performance anxiety, stylistic interpretation within genres, lyric interpretation and mic technique.

Thursday Evenings, April 8 - June 10 (10 Weeks)
Time: 8:30-9:30 TBC
Instructor: Sara Zacharias
Fee: $125 TBC

Woodwind Ensemble

Monday Afternoons, April 5 - June 21(12 Weeks)
Time: 4:30-5:30
Instructor: Geeta Das
Fee: $195
David Lam Campus

Your Career in Music

Discover what you need to know to pursue a career and prosper in the music business. You'll learn about who does what in the industry, how to establish and maintain strong working relationships, the ins and outs of publishing and copyright, how to approach recording and music video projects, the digital scene, gigging, touring, promotion and much, much more.

Wednesday Evenings, TBA
Time: 7:00 - 10:00
Instructor: Graham Way
Fee: $295

This course may run at a later date all details are To Be Confirmed. Please phone 604-527-5469 for more information.