Community School
As newly appointed Dean of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, I am responsible for ensuring that we offer the best quality music education available anywhere, in an environment that makes learning a rewarding and inspiring experience. No matter your age, background, or level of musical skill, we have teachers, courses and activities for you.
In my past five years as Head of the Keyboard Department, I have been continually impressed not only with our strong achievements, but with our potential for the future. In the Community School section, you will find a strong, skilled, and dedicated faculty in every Department, new programs for children, youth and adults, and all kinds of opportunities for exploring the joy of making music.
I look forward to meeting you at the Conservatory, and I hope you have a year filled with memorable musical experiences.
Departments
Children’s Music Department
“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the VCM is your #1 choice for music education for children of all ages and abilities. Please come and celebrate the positive power of music in children’s lives and let us inspire and enrich the lives of your children.”
Department Head: Dr. Johanne Brodeur
Jazz Studies Program
“Jazz is improvising, swinging, creating, jamming, cooking and taking it out! We work with the blues, the standards, the unknowns and the soon-to-be-knowns. Join us at the VCM and take your music to a new dimension.”
Head of Jazz Studies Program, Gordon Clements
Keyboard
“Music is a gift that should be shared. Let us share our passion for music so that you too, may experience the benefits that it brings.”
Linda Low, Interim Department Head
Strings & Guitar
“Bringing music to the hearts and minds of students opens up worlds of imagination and creativity. The confidence required to present these ideas, along with the discipline to harness them, prepares a student to face any challenge in life.”
Department Head Michael van der Sloot
Theory & Composition
“Our world would be vastly different if we have did not have a musical notation. Operas, symphonies, string quartets, fugues and sonatas would not exist. One cannot construct a cathedral without a blueprint. One cannot compose a musical work of any significance without a score. It is the blueprint of a musical work. To quote Emerson, ‘Music takes us out of the actual and whispers to us dim secrets that startle out wonder as to who we are, and for what, whence and whereto.”
Department Head Stephen Brown
Voice
“Helping people to sing their very best is what we do! Our superb faculty combined with a wide range of programs for kids, teens, adults and professional singers creates a dynamic and exciting department. Come and join us!”
Head of Voice Department, Ingrid Attrot
Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion
Brass, Woodwind, or Percussion, we have the opportunities to enable you to take your playing abilities to the next level and beyond. Come check us out!
WBP Department Head, Paul Beauchesne
Adult Continuing Education
Try your hand at music in a fun non-intimidating environment for adults. Have you
always wanted to try an instrument but didn’t know where to start? Or do you want to pick up where you left off and remind yourself of what it’s like to have music in your life again?
The VCM
Collegium Program
“Perhaps my favourite part about being a student in the Collegium Program was noticing how enjoyable it is to be part of a community full of caring, devoted, interesting people who were so much fun to be around.”
Collegium student
Orchestras, Ensembles & Choirs 
Participating in ensembles at the VCM is a great way to gain musical experience in a fun and supportive environment. Orchestras, ensembles and choirs offer students a chance to participate in concerts and collaborate with other musicians.
The VCM
