Adult Recital Group
About
The Adult Recital Group is an ongoing initiative provided by the Victoria Conservatory of Music for adult students of any age (19+) who are already registered as current Conservatory students and intended primarily to help students gain practice performing among fellow peers. Each session, those who have chosen to play privately perform a specific work for their peers. This program is free of charge. All adult students who are currently enrolled in studio instruction (instrumental, vocal, or theory-composition lessons) or coached chamber ensemble or contemporary combo are welcome to participate in this safe and supportive space, where no audience other than the performers is allowed except the last session of the year.
Guidelines
Who Is Eligible: The Adult Recital Group consists of current adult Victoria Conservatory of Music students (age 19+), studying with a Conservatory instructor, who wish to perform music for each other, in a friendly, supportive, and non-threatening space. Sessions take place twice a month in October, November, and from January to May in Wood Hall at our Downtown Campus, 900 Johnson Street.
Sessions: Two session formats are available:
1) Short Repertoire Sessions, occurring on Sundays from 1:00-3:00pm – allow for a maximum of 6 minutes stage time per performer; and
2) Long Repertoire Sessions, occurring on Tuesdays from 9:45-11:45am – allow for 10+ minutes stage time per performer. Members wanting more time must register for these long repertoire sessions.
No Charge: There is no charge for these sessions – this is part of the special benefits offered to Victoria Conservatory adult students.
Only Participants in Attendance: This program is intended to provide our adult students with a safe space to perform in front of each other without the presence of the general public, including friends, family members, teachers, etc. Collaborative players or support people are allowed. Anyone other than collaborative players (e.g., accompanist) and support workers are not allowed at these sessions.
Self-Run: This group is self-run. A volunteer participant will host the group at each event. All participants are expected to share in volunteer duties.
Social Time: For the social time, each participant can bring snacks and a beverage for themselves and ensure that the room is left clean and tidy after the social.
Accompanist: Each soloist is responsible to provide and schedule their own piano accompanist. It is hoped that accompanists, when required, will be found within the group. This is not mandatory, just encouraged.
Repertoire: Participants are free to choose if they will perform for a session and otherwise are always welcome to attend as an observer. Participants are encouraged to try out works in progress: performances do not need to be ‘polished’ if the performer is eager to give a work a first airing. Pieces may be played more than once, if time allows. Not everyone who attends is required to perform; only those signed up to perform will perform.
Performance: Participants are expected to have their instruments tuned-up and be ready to perform at their turn. When performing, participants are asked to abide by the total on-stage time they have provided when signing up for the session.
Registering For Each Session: All participants (whether they are performing or not) must sign up by registering at the front desk by emailing us at info[at]vcm.bc.ca or calling 250.386.5311 the Wednesday before the session.
Signing Up to Perform: The Conservatory will email the link to the sign-up sheet and performers are expected to fill out the composer, repertoire, estimated performance time of work, and other performers (e.g., an accompanist) on stage. Performers must sign up the Wednesday prior to the session. Participants are asked to indicate if they will be collaborating with any professionals who might wish to leave following the performance, so that this can be taken into account when setting the program order. At the session, the volunteer participant host will introduce the performers, using the sign-up sheet provided.
Updated August 2025