Ensembles

Learning is something special when it is done in an ensemble. Instead of simply learning to play an instrument by oneself, group lessons have the added benefit of helping students to learn to play together. When musicians share the same space they become conscious of others’ playing and conscious of their own contributions to the musical whole.

Learning to play proficiently alone is a great accomplishment, but learning to play as a part of a music ensemble is both an intuitive and independent art.

  • Learn to share the space with other players

  • Build valuable interpersonal skills

  • Develop the ability to perform as part of a group

Junior String Ensemble

Our String Ensemble classes provides beginning musicians with an opportunity to learn to play in an ensemble, preparing them as musicians for future contributions to full-scale orchestras.
Musicians who are brand new to violin, viola, cello and bass, as well as those who have been playing for up to one year, are encouraged to sign up. Players work directly with string coaches, and the smaller group allows for greater personal attention in order to build strong fundamental skills. Students from outside the school are welcome to audition.

Senior String Ensemble

Our Senior String Ensemble is for advanced students playing challenging repertoires, at Level 4 Royal Conservatory of Music and up. Entrance is only available by audition and members are expected to attend regularly. There will be several performances and competitions throughout the year of repertoire from the Baroque period through to the modern era.
Students outside the school are welcome to audition.

Choir

The Vaughan’s Voice Choir practices at the school every Thursday 8-9 pm and is free for anyone to attend.
Singing together teaches students how to balance and blend their combined vocal energies within each section and across all sections, achieving unity as a choir.
Learning to sing in tune with others will develop skills in precision and accuracy through the tuning of the cords and achieving beauty.
Learning how to use nuances, will teach everyone to respect the perception and fulfillment of conductor’s demands, by achieving expressivity.

Jazz

The jazz ensemble course places young musicians into small ensembles where most of their learning and performing is done. Work is largely practical, focusing on improvisation, study of harmonic and rhythmic elements and playing in a variety of styles.
The Jazz ensemble course also provides the invaluable opportunity to meet and make music with like-minded young players. The Jazz course goal here at Kollari Institute of Music is to prepare students thoroughly for further specialist study at higher education levels.

Classical & Chamber Music

Kollari Institute of Music offers vocal chamber music to vocal students, ages 12 and up, with unchanged treble voices by audition. This group is an advanced ensemble. Students should have notation and score-reading ability. Students perform in many styles and languages with plenty of performance opportunities. The instrumental Chamber Music Ensembles are groups of our talented students from 3-5 players based on compatible abilities.They perform a wide variety of classical music from all time periods. Acceptance is granted via audition.

Rock Band

We have assembled a number of student rock bands in our ranks who work with their instructors to tighten their repertoire and sharpen their playing skills as they prepare to enthrall live audiences! Our rock bands are often called upon to entertain our audiences at our regularly-scheduled performances, and our practice rooms are outfitted with amplifiers, drum kits, and other difficult-to-move equipment for ease of use and facilitation of scheduling.