Musical Adventures in my school

with NAC Orchestra Ensembles

Invite NAC Orchestra musicians along with professionals from the community into your classroom or auditorium for an exciting and entertaining instrumental concert that is sure to create a buzz among your students! Learn about the string, wind, brass, and percussion sections of the NAC Orchestra and ask the musicians about their experience of being part of a professional orchestra. Each ensemble performance also includes interactive elements, allowing you and your students to be directly involved in the learning process.

Throughout the performance, students will:

  • Explore the orchestral instruments featured;
  • Discover a variety of musical genres and styles from the past and present through instrumental demonstrations and storytelling;
  • Learn about elements of music (i.e. duration, pitch, harmony/ texture, dynamics and other expressive controls, timbre, and form);
  • Engage in critical listening through suggested activities contained within the pedagogical guide provided;
  • Take part in a question-and-answer period with the musicians;
  • Become familiar with audience etiquette.
  1.

    Kindergarten to Grade 12

    Simon Says Silflay!

    Kindergarten to Grade 12

    Reserve

    The Silflay String Quartet will explore how prominent composers like Beethoven and Debussy used various forms of imitation in their music. Through singing and a fun-filled improvisation competition, these four members of the string quartet (and the audience!) will uncover the most widely-used elements that have been imitated in popular music from the Baroque to modern day times, such as a zesty Tango for String Quartet and the brilliant triumphant finale of Beethoven’s Eroica Quartet!

    • Language: English or French
    • Subsidized cost:
      One 50-minute performance: $310 + HST
      Two 35-minute performances: $465 + HST
  2.

    Grade 4 to Grade 12

    • Don Paterson

      trumpet

    • Chris Lane

      trumpet

    • Elizabeth Simpson

      French horn

    • Angus Armstrong

      trombone

    Ragtime Fun for Everyone

    Grade 4 to Grade 12

    Reserve

    Travel back in time to early 20th century New Orleans and uncover the bright and jazzy music of ragtime, dixieland and swing! The Ragtime Brass Sextet will also explore traditional brass repertoire from the classical and Baroque periods with many of the arrangements designed specifically for young listeners.

    Language: English only

    Subsidized cost:
    One 50-minute performance: $360 + HST
    Two 35-minute performances: $580 + HST

  3.

    Kindergarten to Grade 12

    • Joan Milkson

      violin

    • Christian Vachon

      violin

    • Sarah Ross

      viola

    • Valérie Despax

      cello

    Amazing Strings Around the World

    Kindergarten to Grade 12

    Reserve

    Travel through centuries of music and around the world with the colourful sounds of strings!  From Baroque to jazz (including works by Purcell, Dvořák, Mozart, and Anderson), you’ll be amazed by what you’ll learn about string instruments and the music they can make.

    • Language: English and Bilingual
    • Subsidized cost:
      One 50-minute performance: $330+HST
      Two 35-minute performances: $520 + HST
  4.

    Kindergarten to Grade 12

    We’ve got the Beat

    Kindergarten to Grade 12

    Reserve

    Drums, cymbals, timpani, marimbas, xylophones, and an inexhaustible supply of “toys” – these are all part of the percussion section of the orchestra. From J.S. Bach to Rock, let Bangers & Smash show you all the sounds and colours percussion instruments can produce!

    • Language: English only
    • Note: Bangers & Smash performs from April to June, based upon availability.
    • Subsidized cost:
      One 50-minute performance: $250+HST
      Two 35-minute performances: $320 + HST
  5.

    Kindergarten to Grade 6

    Music through the Ages

    Kindergarten to Grade 6

    Reserve

    Join three prominent members of the brass family on exciting and inspirational musical journey through time.  This uplifting adventure which features Beethoven’s famous Ode to Joy, Mozart’s delightful Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and the energetic La Cucaracha will keep you singing long after the concert!

    • Language: English and French
    • Subsidized cost:
      One 50-minute performance: $290 + HST
      Two 35-minute performances: $350 + HST
  6.

    Kindergarten to Grade 12

    Classy Brass!

    Kindergarten to Grade 12

    Reserve

    From traditional classics to well-loved movie themes, the NAC Brass Quintet will demonstrate the highest technical and musical demands made on today’s brass players! Offenbach’s high-spirited Can Can and John Williams’ triumphant Star Wars theme are among the brilliant works that you’ll hear from the brass section of the NAC Orchestra. The performance is certain to be a magnificent feast for the ears!

    • Language: English and French
    • Subsidized cost:
      One 50-minute performance: $330 + HST
      Two 35-minute performances: $520 + HST
  7.

    Kindergarten to Grade 12

    • Kenneth Simpson

      percussion

    • Pascale Margely

      flute

    • Susan Morris

      oboe

    • Shauna McDonald

      clarinet

    Rhythm and Dance

    Kindergarten to Grade 12

    Reserve

    From the witty Beethoven’s Fifth Bossa Nova – as Beethoven was thankfully deceased when this arrangement was done and would not have smiled if he heard it – these five versatile wind players along with percussionist Kenneth Simpson will showcase popular dance styles throughout the ages from ancient Hungarian dances to the tango. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!

    • Language: English and French
    • Subsidized cost:
      One 50-minute performance: $360 + HST
      Two 35-minute performances: $580 + HST
  8.

    Kindergarten to Grade 8

    WINDerful Musical Zoo

    Kindergarten to Grade 8

    Reserve

    Animals of every stripe and colour will entertain you when the Ayorama Wind Quintet visits your school! Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and Mussorgsky’s Ballet of the Chickens in their Shells are among the musical works that will come to life in our musical zoo. Also explore the fascinating story of How Tiger Made Spider Build a Web with narrator Marjolaine Fournier, a piece by Canadian composer and former NAC Orchestra musician Stewart Grant that was composed especially for the Ayorama Wind Quintet. Audience laughter is an important ingredient in every performance.

    • Language: English and French
    • Subsidized cost:
      One 50-minute performance: $360 + HST
      Two 35-minute performances: $580 + HST
  9.

    Grade 3 to Grade 12

    • Pascale Margely

      flute

    • Susan Morris

      oboe

    • Shauna McDonald

      clarinet

    • Benjamin Glossop

      bassoon

    Transatlantic Travels

    Grade 3 to Grade 12

    Reserve

    Come with us on a musical journey! The Bel Canto Quintet will take you on a voyage to different countries and periods in history from the 17th to 20th centuries. You will see and hear what life was like for people of other times and places through our captivating music and visual presentation. Your tour will include the music of Beethoven in the French Revolution, Gershwin’s New York during the Roaring Twenties, World War II in Britain and modern-day Canada.

    This presentation includes Ontario curriculum material for elementary and secondary music, social studies, and history courses.    

    • Language: English and French
    • Subsidized cost:
      One 50-minute performance: $330 + HST
      Two 35-minute performances: $520 + HST
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