Current Student Notices
Weekly class schedules and announcements.
December 11, 2023
Concert
Senior Collegium Chamber Music & Voice: Tuesday, December 12 | 7:00pm | Wood Halll
Admission by donation. Small Receptions to follow the concert. We ask each family to bring one plate of festive finger food to share. Bring your friends and family.
Party Time!
On Monday, December 18 we will have coached sessions on sight-read carols and then a ‘party’ including the performance of these carols, pizza, snacks and a White Elephant Gift Exchange. Start looking now for a White Elephant gift: a quality item you already own that you are ready to pass on, or a low value purchased gift – think thrift store, chocolate, etc. (something that they would enjoy receiving themselves). Each student is asked to bring one gift for the exchange.
Winter Break
The last Senior Collegium session is Monday, December 18. We resume on Monday, January 8. The Conservatory building is closed December 22nd – January 1st. See the Collegium calendar for all important dates.
Snacks
Thanks to Jack and family who provided snacks last week. On December 11, snacks will be provided by Jack and Andrei and families.
December 4, 2023
December is Concert Month
Junior Collegium & Orchestras: Thursday, December 6 | 7:00pm | Alix Goolden Hall
Senior Collegium Chamber Music & Voice: Tuesday, December 12 | 7:00pm | Wood Hall
Admission by donation. Small Receptions to follow each concert.
Party Time!
On Monday, December 18 we will have coached sessions on sight-read carols and then a ‘party’ including the performance of these carols, pizza, snacks and a White Elephant Gift Exchange. Start looking now for a White Elephant gift: a quality item you already own that you are ready to pass on, or a low value purchased gift – think thrift store, chocolate, etc. (something that they would enjoy receiving themselves). Each student is asked to bring one gift for the exchange.
Winter Break
The last Senior Collegium session is Monday, December 18. We resume on Monday, January 8. The Conservatory building is closed December 22nd – January 1st. See the Collegium calendar for all important dates.
Spark to Flame
Congratulations to all who auditioned. The winners announcement will be sent out on Thursday, November 30.
Snacks
Thanks to Max and family who provided snacks last week. On December 4, snacks will be provided by Jack and family.
November 27, 2023
Chamber Competition
Congrats to everyone for beautiful playing. Prizes will be awarded at our concert on Tuesday, December 12.
Snacks
Thanks to Walter and Miya and families who provided snacks last week. I would like to give a hero’s badge to Walter’s mother Aya Rees who has supplied both the Junior and Senior Collegium snacks for the last three weeks. Brava!
On November 27, snacks will be provided by Max and family.
November 20, 2023
Please note: Monday is not a day off
Many schools have a Pro-D day on Monday but we will have Collegium as usual; including the Chamber Competition Dress Rehearsal. Also note that a ‘dress rehearsal’ is called that as it is an opportunity to practice performing in the clothes you will wear in front of the audience. Take advantage!
Chamber Competition
Tuesday, November 21 | 6:00pm Juniors, 7:00pm Seniors | Alix Goolden Performance Hall
Bring an audience! This is a great evening of Chamber Music.
Chamber Competition Warm-up Rooms
See warm-up room schedule here. Once you have warmed up, bring your cases, instruments and all belongings into Alix Goolden Hall. The warm-up rooms are only available for a very short time.
Spark to Flame
Congratulations to all who have entered – there are 19 students entered.
Snacks
Thanks to Walter and Elana and families who provided snacks last week. On November 20, snacks will be provided by Walter and Miya and families.
November 13, 2023
Please note: Monday is not a holiday
The Statutory holiday for Remembrance Day is on Saturday, November 11 and the Conservatory building will be closed – this Saturday. On Monday, we will have Collegium as usual including an exciting Chamber Music Masterclass with Maestro Timothy Vernon.
Collegium Concert at ArtSpring
Thanks to all the students and parents who made this such a successful trip. If anyone else has photos to share, please send them to Micki.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Elana Lin for winning the Cowichan Consort’s 28th Annual Youth Concerto Competition! She will perform the concerto with the orchestra on March 9, 2024.
Concert
Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra (which includes a number of Collegium students) will be performing at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium this Sunday, November 12 at 2:30pm.
Snacks
Thanks to Walter and Michaela and families who provided snacks last week. Next week, on November 13, snacks will be provided by Walter and Elana and families.
November 6, 2023
Collegium Concert at ArtSpring
This Sunday November 5th at 2:30 with special guest mentor Yuel Yawney, violin. For the program see the Senior Collegium schedule.
Payments due
Collegium Journals: $10 each. Salt Spring trip: $15. Have you paid for yours? If not, please do. In person or over the phone with the front desk staff.
12th Annual Chamber Competition
Tuesday, November 21 | Alix Goolden Performance Hall | 6:00pm | Admission by Donation.
Invite your friends to a great evening of Chamber Music. Jurors: Anne Grimm, Soprano and Dr. Alexander Richards, Saxophone.
Snacks
Thanks to Max Wang and family who provided snacks last week. Snacks on November 6 will be provided by Walter and Michaela and families.
October 30, 2023
Senior Collegium Parent Night
Thanks to all the parents who participated. Any parents who missed the session are welcome to book a private info session with Micki anytime – just send her an email.
Collegium Journals
Payments for Collegium Journals: $10 each. Have you paid for yours? If not, please do. In person or over the phone with the front desk staff.
Victoria City Hall Performances
There is room for one more trio to play on November 9 and up to 3 in April. If your group would like to take advantage of the volunteer opportunity, please contact Simon MacDonald.
Exciting news
Tyler Evans-Knott, flutist in the Collegium Gardellino Trio has been invited to play the national anthem at the Indigenous Heritage Night of the Toronto Raptors November 15th in Toronto. Wow! Congratulations Tyler.
Snacks
Thanks to Tyler and family who provided snacks over the last month. Snacks on October 30 will be provided by Max Wang and family.
October 23, 2023
Senior Collegium Parent Night
Monday, October 23 | 5:00-6:30pm
All parents encouraged to attend. We will discuss the upcoming Tour to Salt Spring, the Chamber Competition, introduce parents to one another, answer questions and discuss the extended Goals of Collegium that are assessed in the annual evaluation survey. There will be tea and cookies! Please RSVP to Micki about whether or not you can participate.
Workshop: “The Passionate Bow” with Julia Wedman, violin (Toronto)
Saturday, October 28 | 2:30-4:30pm | Church of St. John the Divine, 1611 Quadra St, Victoria
Fee: $30 | Register online here or email [email protected]
An exploration of baroque bow technique, with practical tips on how to embody emotions to create expressive, compelling music-making. Join Tafelmusik’s Julia Wedman for this interactive and fun workshop for all string players! Open to all ages 12 and up. Pitch 440. No baroque bow required.
Concert: “From Folly To Sublime” Victoria Baroque With Julia Wedman, Violin/Director
Sunday, October 29 | 2:30pm | Church of St. John the Divine, 1611 Quadra St, Victoria
Tickets: $5 for students and youth | Purchase online here, email [email protected], or call 250.590.9770
Toronto-based violinist, Julia Wedman, joins Victoria Baroque for a programme featuring the cheeky and humorous side of baroque. Experience musical depictions of frogs, flatulence, and fencing, paired with music of otherworldly beauty. Music by Purcell, Schmelzer, Rameau, Vivaldi, Telemann, and more.
Snacks
Thanks to Max Z, Joanne, Michaela, and families who provided snacks over the last month.
Snacks on October 23 will be provided by Tyler and family.
October 16, 2023
September 25, 2023
September 18, 2023
Johnathan Crow Masterclass
Friday, September 15 | 4:30-6:00pm | Alix Goolden Hall
Robert Holliston, accompanist.
- Andrei: Bruch, Violin concerto No. 1 in g minor, I Vorspiel
- Elana: Franck, Sonata in A major, II Allegro
- Walter: Lalo, Symphonie Espagnole opus 21, I Allegro non troppo
Cookies and juice social time after for those who can stay.
Senior Collegium Parent Night
Monday, October 23 | 5:00-6:30pm
All parents encouraged to attend. We will discuss the upcoming Tour to Salt Spring, the Chamber Competition, introduce parents to one another, answer questions and discuss the extended Goals of Collegium that are assessed in the annual evaluation survey. There will be tea and cookies! Please RSVP to Micki about whether or not you can participate.
Snacks
We are asking that families contribute to a schedule of snack provision. If you haven’t yet signed up, please contact Micki soon.
Snacks on September 18th will be provided by Max Z’s and Michelle’s families.
September 11, 2023
Welcome!
To the first of the weekly Senior Collegium bulletins. These bulletins include the weekly schedule letting students know which rooms their coachings will be in and what and where the group session(s) will be. They also include any announcements deemed to be important to senior Collegium families. We send these bulletins to parents and faculty as well as to students, as we find the more everyone knows what is happening, the more chance of success the students have.
Syllabus and Directory
The Senior Collegium Syllabus and Directory has been distributed by email. Please read it carefully and let Micki know of any errors or omissions. Also, compare the calendar with all of the other school and sport and other calendars which rule your lives and let us know of any possible conflicts over the next year, so they can be sorted out with the least disruption to your chamber group. If you would like a copy of the printed syllabus, let Micki know by Monday noon
Fun Social
Friday, September 8 | 5:45-7:15pm | Wood Hall
Johnathan Crow Masterclass
Friday, September 15 | 4:30-6:00pm | Alix Goolden Hall
Robert Holliston has agreed to accompany the Jonathan Crow masterclass. This is a great opportunity for our students to play for one of Canada’s leading violinists. We are very happy that Jonathan will be here twice this year!! He will be back for chamber music, at the end of the year with the New Orford Quartet.
Play order to be determined.
- Andrei: Bruch, Violin concerto No. 1 in g minor, I Vorspiel
- Elana: Franck, Sonata in A major, II Allegro
- Walter: Lalo, Symphonie Espagnole opus 21, I Allegro non troppo
Student Orientation
The orientation session on Monday is for students. If parents have urgent questions, please email them to Micki.
Senior Collegium Parent Night
Monday, October 23 | 5:00-6:30pm
All parents encouraged to attend. We will discuss the upcoming Tour to Salt Spring, the Chamber Competition, introduce parents to one another, answer questions and discuss the extended Goals of Collegium that are assessed in the annual evaluation survey. There will be tea and cookies. Please RSVP to Micki about whether or not you can participate.
Snacks
It has been consistently shown that students need a nutrition boost at the end of a long school day in order to perform at their best during Collegium, and the social aspect is essential for our desired feeling of community and the friendships that are often established while students are in the program. We are asking that families contribute to a schedule of snack provision. If you haven’t yet signed up, please contact Micki soon.
Snacks on Monday, September 11 will be generously provided by Max W and Max F and families. The next week, on September 18 there is still an opportunity for a family to sign up for half the snacks with Max W’s family supplying the other half.
May 18th, 2023
Jamie K Syer Collegium Scholarship Winners
The Jamie K Syer Collegium Scholarship is awarded annually to the Collegium student(s) who best exemplifies the spirit and purpose of the Collegium Program: excellence in music, teamwork and support of peers. This scholarship was created to honour Collegium founder Dr. Jamie Syer. For those who haven’t met him, you can read a bio of him here.
Previous winners include: Stephanie Galipeau, Ethan Allers, Hanna Williamson, Rae Gallimore, Kate Moran, Danielle Tsao, Hank Liu, Lexie Krakowski, Keziah Froese, Camilo Aybar, Charlie Dutton, Elana Lin and Charlotte Topshee.
All current Junior and Senior Instrumental Collegium students qualified. Nominations were accepted from Collegium students and coaches, and the award was decided upon by the Collegium Artistic Director and Animateur.
This year’s Junior Winner is Michelle George. She was described by her multiple nominators as “coming to coachings well prepared and ready to learn”, “consistently put forth her best efforts’, leads the group on the piano and at the same time knows how to listen and accommodate others” and “ she is good at making suggestions in a kind way. She is always friendly too”.
And the Senior Collegium winner is again Elana Lin, first student to win twice. Among the descriptions was “not only a superb violinist but one of the kindest people I’ve met in the program; they make an effort for everyone to feel included, even people they hardly know”.
Congratulations to Michelle and to Elana!
May 15th, 2023
Festival Roberto & Mary Wood Scholarship Competition Concert
Saturday, May 13, 7:00pm | Alix Goolden Hall
Good luck to Collegium candidates Layla Park, violin and Camilo Aybar, clarinet. Other Collegium alumni candidates are Jono Devey, piano, Carey Wang, piano, Luke Kim, cello. The other two of the seven candidates are Sahara Adamitz and Anjulie Djearam, singers. This will be an amazing concert.
Tickets: Cash at the door $20 general; $10 students/seniors/children
Benefit Concert: Syria & Türkiye Earthquake Relief
Saturday, May 13, 4.00pm | Christ Church Cathedral, Quadra at Rockland
Classical musicians come together in aid of earthquake-ravaged Syria and Türkiye
Admission by donation. All proceeds will support the Earthquake relief via the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund. All donations over $20 are eligible for a charitable receipt.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Türkiye and Syria are still struggling to find adequate shelter and sanitation, two months after a devastating earthquake hit the region. Despite an appeal for $1 billion to support survivors, only 10% of the required funding has been raised, making it difficult to address the humanitarian crisis. Moved by the plight of her homeland, Turkish violinist Müge Büyükçelen, who now resides in Victoria, has rallied her colleagues from the Victoria Symphony, the Emily Carr String Quartet, and other classical music organizations to organize a benefit concert to raise funds for the survivors of the earthquake. “I couldn’t just stand by and watch the crisis unfold,” said Büyükçelen, a long-time member of the Victoria Symphony and the Emily Carr String Quartet. “I started discussing the idea of a benefit concert with my colleagues shortly after the earthquake happened, but we couldn’t come together until now.” The concert is taking place at a time when help is most needed, as international support tends to drop off once the story fades from the headlines. Büyükçelen and her colleagues will perform Turkish music alongside some more well-known classical repertoire at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, May 13. The Cathedral’s Priest in Charge, The Reverend Canon Jeannine Friesen is honoured that the cathedral will be hosting the event. “This concert is a reminder of our call as Christians to heal the world wherever it is most broken,” she said. “Even when a disaster is no longer on the front page, it doesn’t mean that our duty to care and repair is relinquished.” Donations collected at this concert will be passed on directly to the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, which provides cash and in-kind support directly to those who need it most in Türkiye and Syria (https://pwrdf.org/).
The Musicians Müge Büyükçelen violin Arin Sarkissian flute Robert Holliston piano Mieka Michaux viola Alasdair Money cello Cory Balzer violin Donald Hunt, organ
Final Coachings
The last coaching and group sessions are Monday May 15th. All students are expected to attend these sessions. For the group session that day, there will be pizza. If you have special requests about pizza, please let Micki know right away.
Snacks
This week the snacks were generously provided by Michael and his families. Thank you to them and to all who brought such yummy goodies to the after concert reception. This Monday on May 15th it will be Layla and Roni and family’s turn to provide treats to go with pizza.
May 8th, 2023
Congratulations
Congratulations to all who have played in the Festival. We are pleased for your successes and look forward to hearing more at Honours Concerts and Provincials and Nationals.
Term End Concert
Our term end concert will be Tuesday, May 9th, 7:00pm in Alix Goolden Hall. Invite your friends!. We hope that the families not specifically requested to help with snacks on Mondays this year will each provide a plate of goodies for the year end Concert on Tuesday, May 9th.
Last Coaching
The last coaching and group session are Monday May 15th. All students are expected to attend these sessions. For the group session that day, there will be pizza. Do let Micki know if you have dietary needs or will not eating pizza that day.
Emily Carr String Quartet
Friday, May 19, 5:00pm | Christ Church Cathedral 930 Burdett Ave Victoria, BC
Tickets: At Eventbrite $30; Students $10+ s/c
Join us in this family event celebrating Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn’s romantic compositions for string quartet! Fanny’s String Quartet in E-Flat Major and Felix’s String Quartet in F Minor Op.80 will complete the ECSQ’s performance of all Mendelssohn String Quartets. You will also hear Vancouver composer Jennifer Butler’s “The End of the World (or Else the Beginning)” featuring flautist Mark MacGregor. These concerts will also be livestreamed on the Cathedral Website.
Questions? Concerns?
Contact Micki Stirling at 250.386.5311 ext 3360, or by email at [email protected].
Have any good news to share?
Concerts, competitions or auditions won, good works done in the community, etc.