MacNeill Music Opportunities Learn to care for and produce sound on your chosen instrument or voice. Discover the unique qualities of different musical families—from strings and winds to percussion, keyboards, and vocals.

Nurturing Complete Musicianship Build a strong musical base through rhythm, pitch, notation, technique, and listening skills. These essentials support confident musicianship across every style, from classical and jazz to pop and contemporary music.

Repertoire Exploration Perform a wide variety of music drawn from multiple genres. From classical works to modern pop, film scores, and culturally diverse pieces, our repertoire keeps learning engaging and meaningful for every type of musician.

Ensemble Playing Experience the joy of making music together. Develop communication, listening, and collaboration skills as you rehearse and perform in small groups, full ensembles, and mixedinstrument settings.

Performance Opportunities Share your musical growth in concerts throughout the year. Students will participate in a range of performances—including collaborative events that bring together band, strings, choir, guitar, piano, and other music classes—to celebrate the creativity and progress of our entire music community.

Grade 10-12 Early Morning Concert Band

MMUOR10 AM

MMUOR11 AM

MMUOR 12 AM

MMUOR10 AM

MMUOR11 AM

MMUOR 12 AM

Requirements: 

• Concert band instrument (brass, woodwind, drums) owned or rented ready by September 
• At least one (1) year of playing experience on the same instrument 

Note: 

• Interested piano, guitar and bass players will need to meet with the music teacher in January, space is limited for these instruments

   

Early Morning Concert Band is tailored for musicians with a minimum of one year of playing experience on a band instrument. We focus on playing Concert Band music, which can include genres in classical, movie soundtrack, pop, jazz, and rock music arranged for a large ensemble. In this welcoming environment, we celebrate mistakes as stepping stones to growth and improvement, fostering a mindset that helps reveal the potential of every musician.

Special note: All interested students are encouraged to apply regardless of ability and playing experience – minimum 1 year of playing the same band instrument. 

Experienced or returning students wanting early morning band must apply to this course. Once we have the list of interested students, there will be a meeting with Mr. Bonifacio in January to determine student groupings and rehearsal days (Day 1 or Day 2).

Using guiding principles that Music is for everyone: ALL students will learn to hear and play:

• What makes songs sound unique and fun: loudness, rhythm/beat, how notes are used to make a song interesting Students seeking a challenge or formal approach to music will: 
• Review and master foundations of rhythm • Play full, major scales, modes and cadences

• Develop and master fine motor and articulation control for their instrument

   

Grade 9-12 Music Exploration Band

MMU--09

MMUOR10

MMUOR11

MMUOR 12

Requirements: • This is a beginner-friendly course – no previous music experience needed • instrument rented or owned (brass, woodwind, drums, guitar, bass, etc) ready by September

Note: • Interested drums, piano, guitar and bass players will need to meet with Mr. Bonifacio in January, space is limited for these instruments

Course Description: Calling all musicians! Whether you are a beginner or an expert wanting a fun, welcoming, and personally rewarding elective during the day: this class if for you! 

• All interested students are encouraged to apply regardless of skill or playing ability. YES – you can learn a new instrument, no previous experience needed

Grade 9–12 Music Performance Ensemble

If you’re looking to grow as a musician, enjoy being challenged, and thrive in a high-performance musical environment, this ensemble is for you.

Requirements •

• Minimum 3 years of music experience on the same instrument 
• Ability to comfortably play sixteenth note passages
• Recommended sight reading ability is Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Level 3–4

• Students must already have a playable instrument (all instrument families welcome)

   

Course Description

The Music Performance Ensemble is designed for experienced musicians who are ready for a fast paced, challenging, and highly rewarding musical experience.

Throughout the year, musicians will strengthen:

• Technique and tone production 
• Applied music theory (understand the patterns inside the pieces we play) 
• Advanced rhythmic accuracy 
• Professional level rehearsal etiquette

Choir 9-12 Requirements: 

Requirements: 

• This is a beginner-friendly course – no previous music or singing experience needed

This course is recommended for • Students who want to have solo and ensemble singing opportunities

• English Language Learners (ELL) seeking to enhance their language skills through the universal language of music.

Description:

Welcome to Choir 9-12, an inclusive and beginner-friendly course where no prior experience is necessary. Whether you're a seasoned vocalist or someone looking to explore the joy of singing for the first time, this class is designed for you. Join us in Choir 9-12 and discover the transformative power of singing in a supportive and vibrant community. Unleash your voice, connect with others, and let the joy of music bring us together in harmony.

Students will learn: 

• Singing melody lines
• Singing harmony lines
• Basic rhythms
• Hear and sing major and minor scales
• Important vowel and consonant sounds that are important to singing

Strings 9-12

Requirements:

• Orchestral or string instrument rented or owned (violin, viola, cello, bass guitar, upright bass, classical nylon string guitar) ready by September.
   

Welcome to Beginner Strings 9-12, an inviting and beginner-friendly class open to all high school students interested in learning orchestral strings. No previous experience is needed, making this the perfect opportunity to explore the world of strings, whether it's the violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, or bass guitar.

Course Goals:

• Develop basic playing techniques on your chosen instrument.
• Gain an appreciation for both classical and popular music genres.
• Build ensemble skills through collaborative playing.
• Prepare and perform in front of an audience.

Music Production & Composition, Contemporary Music 10, 11, 12

Turn your creative ideas into real, polished productions—no prior experience needed! All you need is a willingness to learn, have fun, collaborate, and commit to growing a positive, professional attitude.

A Course That Runs Like a Real Studio Company

This program runs just like a professional production studio. We will explore what teams do on radio stations, podcast programs, newsrooms, and soundtrack production for movies, shows, or video games. Composers, technicians, performers, editors, and producers all work together toward a shared creative goal. You get to specialize in your own area of interest while working together towards a common goal.

You get to specialize in your own area of interest while working together towards a common goal.

What You’ll Get to Do

• Create your own original tracks using GarageBand and industry standard tools
• Mix and master your music to achieve high resolution, production ready sound
• Explore modern styles with full flexibility—solo, collaborate, or form a small band
• See how traditional music theory and history shape today’s most successful music 
• Learn how Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) work and develop real production skills

Unique Opportunities

• Set up and run audio equipment around the school, gaining hands-on technical experience
• Produce your own podcast or broadcast show—develop your voice and storytelling
• Work to industry aligned standards, opening pathways to programs like BCIT’s Broadcasting Program
• Experience a real-world workflow where all roles—composer, editor, engineer, performer— support productions