Certificate in Music Technologies
The Music Technologies certificate is a series of seven courses which may be taken part-time over three semesters. You will study basic software and hardware technologies and explore practical applications of technologies, gaining fluency with the four pillars of music technology required by today’s music workplace:
Application Deadlines
Please submit two applications for the Certificate in Music Technologies program: a Camosun application form as well as a Victoria Conservatory of Music application.
Apply by August 15 to start in September
Apply by December 1 to start in January
Apply by April 1 to start in May
Admission is offered to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Qualified applicants whose application is received after the deadlines above will be offered placement through waiting-list for a specified future term.
Admission requirements
Minimum Music Competency
When you apply, you must demonstrate Minimum Music Competency in one of two ways:
Option 1: Coursework
Submit sealed original or certified copy of a postsecondary transcript showing successful completion of coursework equivalent to or exceeding the requirements for Minimum Music Competency along with the application to the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
Camosun/VCM options: a C in MUSC 111 or equivalent and a C in MUSC 120 or equivalent
Option 2: Music Department Entrance Examination
For an additional fee, complete a Music Department Entrance Examination, through the Victoria Conservatory of Music, demonstrating fluency with the written and aural rudiments of music theory and understanding of the musical trends and styles in the history of Western music over the past two millennia.
If the original or certified copy of a postsecondary transcript does not accompany your application to the Victoria Conservatory of Music, it will be assumed that you are requesting a Music Department Entrance Examination and will be charged the associated assessment fee. Minimum Music Competency must be demonstrated in full prior to the application deadline and before admission to the program will be granted.
For all inquiries regarding this program option, contact the Director of the Department of Postsecondary Studies at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
Program participation requirements
Students are required to have the appropriate computer, software and hardware for the program. For details see What it Costs.
Completion requirements
To qualify for the Certificate in Music Technologies you must successfully complete all required courses and achieve an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
Jonathan Haek
Jonathan Haek is a composer and flutist originally from Portland, Oregon. Dr. Haek is the Director of the School of Music Technology and Creativity at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He currently teaches Aural Skills courses for the VCM’s Department of Postsecondary Studies, and is the designer, developer, and instructor of the new postsecondary Certificate of Music Technologies program offered in partnership with Camosun College. Jon’s interests lie at the intersections of music, math, and technology. His projects have involved collaboration with modern dance choreographers, free improvisation, interactive and computer music composition, and Fibonacci numbers as compositional tools. Dedicated to […]
Children’s Music Journey (Outreach Only)
One of the newest and most innovative approaches to learning music is made possible through the Children’s Music Journey. Award-winning computer software flips the traditional approach to learning music and puts the student in the composer’s chair from the first lesson. Famous composers like Bach, Beethoven, and Joplin come to life through animation, and lead children through creative music lessons that teach all the fundamentals of music through fun musical games and activities, including playing together as an ensemble using virtual instruments.
Children's Music Journey is serving over 300 Elementary school students this year, through VCM Outreach, thanks to our funders. The following schools are participating during the 2017-2018 Academic Year:
Victoria West Elementary
Craigflower Elementary
Tillicum Elementary
Colwood Elementary
Wishart Elementary
Emily Green
Emily grew up in Oakville, Ontario in a musical family, the daughter of a rock guitarist. She received her Bachelor of Music degree with Honours from the University of Toronto, where she majored in Music Education, with a Minor in German, and studied classical piano with Mr. John Kruspe. Emily began teaching group piano classes while still a student and over the past five years has taught at various music schools in the Toronto area, including the notable Merriam School of Music. Emily is also a church pianist and has acted as Music Director at two Anglican churches in her […]
Composition Clubs
What are Composition Clubs? Sample Compositions Composition Clubs are classes in which music students can learn what it’s like to be a composer. Activities include: Listening without judging, i.e. listening to music with an open mind, focusing on the sounds we hear rather than on our opinions; Creative exercises which help to prepare our […]
Composition Club:
SATURDAY CLASSES 4:15 - 5:15 pm, Music Technology Lab (Rm 319)
Session 1: Sep 14 - Nov 16; no class Oct 12, Nov 9
Session 2: Jan 11 - Mar 7; no class Feb 15
Session 3: Apr 25 - Jun 6; no class May 16
Sessions 1 and 2: 8 classes @ 1 hr | $168/session
Session 3: 6 classes @ 1 hr | $126
WEDNESDAY CLASSES 5:45 - 6:45 pm, Music Technology Lab (Rm 319)
Session 1: Sep 18 - Nov 20; no class Oct 9, Nov 13
Session 2: Jan 15 - Mar 18; no class Feb 12, Mar 11
Session 3: Apr 29 - Jun 3; no class May 13
Sessions 1 and 2: 8 classes @ 1 hr | $168/session
Session 3: 5 classes @ 1 hr | $105
Contact the instructor at donkinyt@gmail.com
Christine Donkin
Christine Donkin is a Canadian composer and instructor of music theory, ear training, and composition at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. She is an active clinician and adjudicator; creator of theory and ear training games for Tonic Tutor, an online resource for music students and teachers; and author of the Compositional Devices Collection on the RCM online Teacher Portal. Her many pedagogical compositions, arrangements, and figured bass realizations are featured in the Royal Conservatory of Music repertoire books for cello, clarinet, piano, trumpet, saxophone, viola, violin, and voice.
Ear-Training – “Stay Tuned”
The Ear-Training program helps students learn how to effectively practice intervals, chords, chord progressions, playbacks, rhythm clap-backs, and rhythmic reading to match their instrumental level.
6 x 60 min • Class dates and times to be arranged with Theory coordinator • $126 • Downtown
Crystal Wiksyk
Crystal Wiksyk is a theory and musicianship instructor at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, where she coordinates the Classical Music Theory program within the Ann & George Nation Conservatory of Classical Music. Crystal teaches group classes as well as individual lessons at the VCM, and has taught theory and musicianship classes for the VCM/Camosun College Diploma program. She is the co-author of three publications for the Royal Conservatory of Music, and also leads the Music Theory programming for the VCM’s Summer Academy. Crystal is a Royal Conservatory certified theory teacher and long-time member of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association.
History
Music History classes are suitable for all students, from school age through to adults and seniors, either as a complement to studio instruction, or simply for music appreciation. Courses offered integrate into all of our theory classes up to level 8. As of level 9, three levels of advanced History classes are offered. All classes align with the RCM’s 2016 theory syllabus and prepare students to write the corresponding History examinations held in May.
Full Year: Sep 12/15 - May 8/11
Sat • $692 • Downtown
History 9 (RCM History 1)
Sat • 9:00 - 10:00am OR Wed • 6:00 - 7:00pm
History 10 (RCM History 2)
Sat • 10:15 - 11:15am OR Wed • 7:00 - 8:00pm
History ARCT (RCM History 3)
Sat • 11:30am - 12:30pm
Robert Holliston
Robert Holliston studied at the Victoria Conservatory of Music under Robin Wood and Winifred Scott Wood, and at the University of British Columbia under Robert Rogers. As an accompanist and chamber player he has performed throughout Canada and the USA, England and New Zealand, and has been heard frequently on CBC-Radio. He has recorded CDs with the popular salon ensemble Viveza, trombonist Ian McDougall, tenor Ken Lavigne, his brother Tom Holliston, Show Business Giants, and members of the Hornby Island Ensemble. Robert has collaborated with many of Canada’s leading singers, including Richard Margison, Benjamin Butterfield, Judith Forst, Nathalie Paulin, Susan (…)
Master classes, Workshops, and Jams
Master Classes, Workshops and Jams are an invaluable way to learn from some of the very best musicians in the world and each other. The VCM has a wide variety of opportunities in each of our Program Areas and Departments.
For more information contact the respective Department Head or Artistic Director:
Robert Holliston (Dept. Head, Keyboard)
rholliston@shaw.ca
Ingrid Attrot (Dept. Head, Voice)
sops@shaw.ca
Simon MacDonald (Dept. Head, Strings and Collegium)
macdonald@vcm.bc.ca
Emily Nagelbach (Dept. Head, Winds and Brass)
emily.nagelbach@gmail.com
Daniel Lapp (Artistic Director, SCM)
daniel@daniellapp.com
Dr. Jonathan Haek (Director, SMTC)
haek@vcm.bc.ca
David Visentin (Director, Dept. of Postsecondary Studies)
visentin@vcm.bc.ca
Robert Holliston
Robert Holliston studied at the Victoria Conservatory of Music under Robin Wood and Winifred Scott Wood, and at the University of British Columbia under Robert Rogers. As an accompanist and chamber player he has performed throughout Canada and the USA, England and New Zealand, and has been heard frequently on CBC-Radio. He has recorded CDs with the popular salon ensemble Viveza, trombonist Ian McDougall, tenor Ken Lavigne, his brother Tom Holliston, Show Business Giants, and members of the Hornby Island Ensemble. Robert has collaborated with many of Canada’s leading singers, including Richard Margison, Benjamin Butterfield, Judith Forst, Nathalie Paulin, Susan (…)
Ingrid Attrot
Hailed as ‘a singer with uncommon theatrical sensibility and musical intelligence’, soprano Ingrid Attrot has appeared with the London Symphony Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra with conductors such as Dutoit, Marriner, Willcocks, Pinnok and Hickox. Her work with conductor Richard Hickox has included performances of the Britten War Requiem, Peter Grimes (Ellen Orford), and Beethoven’s Fidelio (Leonora). Opera companies with which she has worked include the English National Opera (as Miss Jessel in Turn of the Screw), Opera Northern Ireland (as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni), and Pacific Opera (…)
Emily Nagelbach
Emily Nagelbach, Faculty Department Head, Winds and Brass, Conservatory School of Classical Music. Emily plays second flute/piccolo with the Vancouver Island Symphony, is a member of Pedagogy Committee of the National Flute Association. As a freelance musician, she frequently performs with many orchestras, including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Victoria Symphony Orchestra. She served as the Artistic Director of the Summer Music Discovery Camp at the VCM for many years. Emily holds an AVCM from the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto), a B.Mus. in Performance and Theory from Wilfrid Laurier University and a M.Mus. in Performance from the University of (…)
Daniel Lapp
Daniel Lapp is a world-renowned singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, teacher, archivist, band leader, sideman, producer, promoter and – no kidding – the list goes on. And like the true-blue Canadian he is, Daniel does it all with trademark energy and warmth. As a fiddler, jazz trumpeter and singer/songwriter, Daniel Lapp has played on over 100 albums and performed across Canada, United States, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Finland and Germany with some of the world’s most renowned Folk and Jazz musicians. Daniel is the winner of the B.C. Fiddle Championship and has appeared as a soloist with the CBC Chamber Orchestra as well as (…)
Jonathan Haek
Jonathan Haek is a composer and flutist originally from Portland, Oregon. Dr. Haek is the Director of the School of Music Technology and Creativity at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He currently teaches Aural Skills courses for the VCM’s Department of Postsecondary Studies, and is the designer, developer, and instructor of the new postsecondary Certificate of Music Technologies program offered in partnership with Camosun College. Jon’s interests lie at the intersections of music, math, and technology. His projects have involved collaboration with modern dance choreographers, free improvisation, interactive and computer music composition, and Fibonacci numbers as compositional tools. Dedicated to […]
David Visentin
David Visentin is widely known throughout Canada as a performer, conductor, pedagogue and arts administrator whose leadership and creative experience in the performing arts has successfully advanced classical music from coast to coast. In 2011, founded Sistema Toronto and was appointed as the organization’s President and CEO. Sistema Toronto is a free and uniquely immersive after-school social program through music for at-risk children and youth, modeled after the highly successful program known as el Sistema. For six years, as dean and associate dean of The Glenn Gould School and Young Artists Performance Academy of The Royal Conservatory of Music, David […]
Simon MacDonald
Simon MacDonald began playing the violin at age seven, here in Victoria, British Columbia. Following studies with Frona Colquhoun and Sydney Humphreys, Simon earned his AVCM Teacher and Performance Diploma from the VCM, Bachelor’s degree from New England Conservatory in Boston, and Master’s degree from the Schulich School of Music, at the University of McGill, in Montreal. Simon’s musical education also included performing at music festivals in Europe and North America, including Schleswig Holstein Music Festival (Germany), The Festival of Two Worlds (Italy), the Spoleto Festival (Charleston, South Carolina), Tanglewood Music Festival and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (Massachusetts), and at ArtSpring Festival on Salt Spring Island. […]
Music Technology Workshops
New series of workshop modules for beginners starting week of April 29! See below for details. The Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM) is proud to present, through the School of Music Technology and Creativity, a new series of Introductory Workshops that focus on being creative with Music Technology. All workshops consist of 6 90-minute classes […]
Create a Professional Music Score using Sibelius:
Starts Monday February 25 | Weekly classes from 6 – 7:30 pm | No class March 18 and 25
6 90-minute classes: $126
Write Songs using Logic Pro:
Starts Tuesday February 26 | Weekly classes from 4:00 – 5:30 pm | No class March 19 and 26
6 90-minute classes: $126
Let's Make Beats:
Starts Thursday February 28 | Weekly classes from 7 – 8:30 pm | No class March 21 and 28
6 90-minute classes: $126
Jan Randall
Jan Randall is a pianist, who played entirely by ear from childhood, started working in blues and pop music bands while still in high school, and after receiving formal classical and jazz training as a composer and arranger went on to spend a decade in theatre before moving on to make a career of composing sound tracks for broadcast. Jan has been the head song writer since 2011 for the hit CBC radio series “The Irrelevant Show.” He wrote songs and doubled as musical director for comedy shows with Second City in the early 80′s, where he collaborated with such (…)
Wynn Gogol
Wynn Gogol is a music producer, mixer, educator and author who enjoys working in a wide range of genres and styles. With more than twenty years of experience, his work has received Juno nominations, a Maple Blues Award and a Canadian Folk Award. Wynn joined the VCM in 2017 to teach the newly developed postsecondary Diploma in Music Performance course “Composing as Singer-Songwriter”. As a faculty member of the VCM’s School of Music Technology & Creativity, Wynn has since expanded his involvement with the VCM to include teaching digital school notation, as well as recording, mixing, and editing, as part of the VCM’s new Music Technology Lab programming currently under development. […]
Danuel Tate
Danuel Tate is a keyboard player and composer of electronic music. He has been writing electronic music for the past 18 years, and his work with the group “Cobblestone Jazz” has given him international acclaim. He has performed extensively at many of the world’s largest music festivals, including three times at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. In between touring he teaches piano to a range of students. Trained as a jazz pianist, improvising is a large component of his lesson set. He prefers to teach the fundamentals of music theory aurally, and then progresses to reading and writing. Danuel […]
Songwriting with Computer
Learn how to use your computer to inspire and deepen your songwriting using Logic Pro X.
October 16 - December 4
Tuesdays
6:30 - 8:00pm
Wynn Gogol
Wynn Gogol is a music producer, mixer, educator and author who enjoys working in a wide range of genres and styles. With more than twenty years of experience, his work has received Juno nominations, a Maple Blues Award and a Canadian Folk Award. Wynn joined the VCM in 2017 to teach the newly developed postsecondary Diploma in Music Performance course “Composing as Singer-Songwriter”. As a faculty member of the VCM’s School of Music Technology & Creativity, Wynn has since expanded his involvement with the VCM to include teaching digital school notation, as well as recording, mixing, and editing, as part of the VCM’s new Music Technology Lab programming currently under development. […]
Sound Advice Theory & Ear-Training Classes
Our theory classes (Preparatory to level 8) go beyond the teaching of music theory, integrating ear-training, music history/style and melody writing, offering students a well-rounded music education. As of level 9, separate History classes and studio instruction are offered for all subjects including Harmony 9, Harmony and Counterpoint 10, and ARCT theory. Our theory classes […]
The following courses are designed to cover two levels per year but this varies depending on the level of the students. Students will be prepared to write the higher-level RCM instrumental or vocal examination during the May session. Prerequisite: the previous theory level or equivalent.
Full Year: Week of Sept 10 - Jun 10
$672 • Downtown
Sound Advice on Saturdays
Using material from the Sound Advice program, students will improve music reading skills in both pitch and rhythm and apply new skills by learning to compose music. This course will include group composition projects that will hone skills in creative thinking, listening, and teamwork, all presented in a fun and engaging way. Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced levels to be held on Saturday afternoon. To be arranged with the coordinator.
Prep Classes for Beginners, Ages 7 - 9
Students learn to read music and/or improve their music reading skills. Courses lay a foundation for further studies of any instrument and enrich early studies.
To be arranged with the coordinator.
Theory Level 3 / 4
If you are in RCM grades 1 - 3 instrumental or voice, or have played an instrument for several years, this is where you want to start.
Mon • TBA
Theory Level 4 / 5
Tue OR Wed • 5:00-6:00pm
Theory Level 6
Thu • 5:00-6:00pm
Theory Level 6 / 7
Mon • 5:00-6:00pm
Theory Level 7
Mon OR Thu • 4:00 - 5:00pm
Theory Level 7 / 8
Fri • 4:30 - 5:30pm
Theory Level 8
Tue OR Thu • 6:00-7:00pm
Introduction to Harmony
Students are introduced to subjects such as four-part harmony, counterpoint, and song writing. An excellent foundation for further studies in Harmony.
To be arranged with the coordinator.
Composition Clubs
Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Clubs • Junior Club will also be offered in combination with Sound Advice Level 3, so that students learn theory, ear training, and composition together.
To be arranged with the instructor: donkinyt@gmail.com
Sound Advice + Composition
Sat • 16 classes @ 1 hr • $336 • Jan - Jun
Crystal Wiksyk
Crystal Wiksyk is a theory and musicianship instructor at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, where she coordinates the Classical Music Theory program within the Ann & George Nation Conservatory of Classical Music. Crystal teaches group classes as well as individual lessons at the VCM, and has taught theory and musicianship classes for the VCM/Camosun College Diploma program. She is the co-author of three publications for the Royal Conservatory of Music, and also leads the Music Theory programming for the VCM’s Summer Academy. Crystal is a Royal Conservatory certified theory teacher and long-time member of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association.
Studio Instruction – Advanced Music Theory
Understanding what music is truly all about, starts with learning how it is put together. The VCM’s School of Music Technology and Creativity offers a complete array of advanced music theory subjects through Individual. or through Shared Studio Instruction. Advanced Subjects offered include: Composition, Songwriting, Arranging, Harmony, Counterpoint, Analysis, and Score Study.
Harmony 9 or 10
(RCM Basic or Intermediate Harmony)
Topics include melody writing, harmonic and structural analysis, harmonization in four parts, modulation, and form as required for RCM Level 9 or 10 Harmony and Counterpoint. Dates/times to be arranged with instructors. Individual or Shared Studio Instruction is based on a $71 hourly fee, shared among two participants.
Crystal Wiksyk
Composition
David Clenman, Jonathan Haek, Liova Bueno, Daniel Brandes, Christopher Reiche, Jan Randall
Songwriting, Arranging
David Clenman, Jan Randall (also teaches at VCM Westhills location)
All Individual or Shared Studio Instruction for these subjects is based on an $79.80 hourly fee, shared among participants.
Crystal Wiksyk
Crystal Wiksyk is a theory and musicianship instructor at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, where she coordinates the Classical Music Theory program within the Ann & George Nation Conservatory of Classical Music. Crystal teaches group classes as well as individual lessons at the VCM, and has taught theory and musicianship classes for the VCM/Camosun College Diploma program. She is the co-author of three publications for the Royal Conservatory of Music, and also leads the Music Theory programming for the VCM’s Summer Academy. Crystal is a Royal Conservatory certified theory teacher and long-time member of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association.
Jonathan Haek
Jonathan Haek is a composer and flutist originally from Portland, Oregon. Dr. Haek is the Director of the School of Music Technology and Creativity at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He currently teaches Aural Skills courses for the VCM’s Department of Postsecondary Studies, and is the designer, developer, and instructor of the new postsecondary Certificate of Music Technologies program offered in partnership with Camosun College. Jon’s interests lie at the intersections of music, math, and technology. His projects have involved collaboration with modern dance choreographers, free improvisation, interactive and computer music composition, and Fibonacci numbers as compositional tools. Dedicated to […]
Liova Bueno
A faculty member at the Victoria Conservatory of Music since 2014, Liova Bueno teaches individual instruction in composition, theory, song-writing, music history and music appreciation, covering a wide variety of musical styles, genres, and time periods. He also teaches postsecondary students in connection with the VCM/Camosun College Diploma in Music Performance Program (Tonal Harmony and Counterpoint).
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Liova Bueno’s music has been performed in concerts and music festivals internationally, from countries in Central and South America to Europe, the United States and across Canada. He has received commissions from and has collaborated with various ensembles, organizations, […]
Daniel Brandes
Daniel Brandes (b. 1985) is a composer who lives in Victoria, British Columbia with his wife and cat. In 2010, Daniel completed his Masters of Music at the University of Victoria where he studied composition with Christopher Butterfield and Daniel Bíro. In 2012 he founded A Place to Listen — Victoria BC’s only monthly experimental music series — which presents works from members of the Wandelweiser composers collective, and other fringe artists exploring the use(s) of silence in contemporary music. Daniel composes music that walks tight ropes — tight ropes between nothing and something, fragility and fierceness, beauty and ugliness. He likes art (…)
Christopher Reiche
CHRISTOPHER REICHE is a performer, composer and instructor. Originally from Ontario, he moved to Victoria British Columbia to pursue a Masters of Music at the University of Victoria. As a composer, his works have been performed by The Vancouver Miniaturist Ensemble, Mark McGregor and Brian Nesselroads, and locally by the Aventa Ensemble. His work The length of this piece is not arbitary – Painting Portrait of Glass has been recorded by Quatuor Bozzini and released on their CD À chacun sa miniature. As a performer, he specializes in contemporary music and free improvisation. In Victoria he has performed with the (…)
Jan Randall
Jan Randall is a pianist, who played entirely by ear from childhood, started working in blues and pop music bands while still in high school, and after receiving formal classical and jazz training as a composer and arranger went on to spend a decade in theatre before moving on to make a career of composing sound tracks for broadcast. Jan has been the head song writer since 2011 for the hit CBC radio series “The Irrelevant Show.” He wrote songs and doubled as musical director for comedy shows with Second City in the early 80′s, where he collaborated with such (…)
David Clenman
Private theory and composition studies under full scholarship with Srul Glick; advanced ear training with Robert Mundinger; electronic music studies at the University of Chicago; theory, composition, and conducting studies at the University of Victoria (President’s Scholarship). Compositions and arrangements performed and broadcast in Canada, the United States, and Central America; recorded by Denise Williams, Jacques Lorioz, and the Canadian Tenors. Teaches theory and ear training at the University of Victoria, where he was awarded the Gilian Sherwin Award for Teaching Excellence, Adjudicates many competitions, is a VCM examiner, and has been an examiner for the Royal Canadian College of (…)
Telling Stories Through Music
A weekly social, group music class sharing stories and exploring co-creating music with virtual instruments on electronic tablets. No previous experience required. Limited space, registration necessary.
Classes take place on Wednesdays, for 6 weeks, are one hour in duration, and start April 3 2019.
Class times:
2:00 pm (Sorry this class is now full)
3:00 pm
These classes are offered on a complimentary basis (tuition-free) in partnership with PARC Retirement Living, and hosted by the Greater Victoria Public Library at their Central Branch: 735 Broughton Street, Victoria
Jan Randall
Jan Randall is a pianist, who played entirely by ear from childhood, started working in blues and pop music bands while still in high school, and after receiving formal classical and jazz training as a composer and arranger went on to spend a decade in theatre before moving on to make a career of composing sound tracks for broadcast. Jan has been the head song writer since 2011 for the hit CBC radio series “The Irrelevant Show.” He wrote songs and doubled as musical director for comedy shows with Second City in the early 80′s, where he collaborated with such (…)