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About Our Ensembles

Our programs provide a musical and social community for youth and their families. All players, from beginner to advanced, learn tunes by ear in an engaging and inclusive ensemble setting. If you are passionate about music and excited to play a dynamic, Celtic-based repertoire, we welcome you at any one of our four levels.

  • Strings & Things Intro

    This level is for enthusiastic young violinists who want to explore a growing love of music. Players enjoy fun and camaraderie, participating in games and activities alongside music in each rehearsal...

    In Strings & Things Intro, we learn what Celtic music is, practice the basics of learning by ear, and strengthen our ensemble-playing skills. Generally, we recommend all violinists spend at least 1 year at this level.

    Age: 8+
    Instruments: violin
    Pre-requisite: 1+ year of playing experience
    Co-requisite: weekly private lessons
    Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7:15 pm – 8:15 pm, September - June; Late entry available in January.

    Performances Include:

    • 2 - 4 community concerts along with Strings & Things
    • Lynn Valley Days parade (weather permitting)
    • (Optional) Attendance at a summer fiddle camp
       

    Faculty: Kirin Lamb, Clara Rose
    Tuition Per Year: $550
     

    How to join: Fill out an application form to arrange a "Meet & Greet" with one of our instructors.

  • Strings & Things

    The focus of Strings & Things - still a novice-level group - remains on fun, and players show a strong commitment to practice and performance. They learn to be engaging, positive performers, and they play at local community concerts and events.

    Age: 9+
    Instruments: violin, viola and cello; flute*, piano*, guitar*
    Pre-requisite: 2+ years of playing experience
    Co-requisite: weekly private lessons
    Rehearsals: Thursdays, 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm, September - June
    Performances Include:

    • ~6 community concerts
    • Lynn Valley Days parade (weather permitting)
    • (Optional) Attendance at a summer fiddle camp
       

    Faculty: Kirin Lamb, Clara Rose, Phil Graves
    Tuition Per Year: $650

    How to join: Fill out an application form to arrange an audition and Meet & Greet

    Audition Requirements:

    • All instruments: play a piece you are currently learning
    • Piano only: demonstrate solid triads and inversions of A and G major; and E and B minor, hands separate
    • Guitar only: demonstrate G, D and A major chords; D, A and E minor chords
       

    *Limited places available. Please inquire.
     

  • Junior North Shore Celtic Ensemble

    If you are a committed young musician who loves exploring different genres, we welcome you to our Junior Ensemble. Players learn tunes by ear and with sheet music, and they perform arrangements with harmonies and grooves that are fun to play. Performances include a feature role in our Community Concert Series.
    Age: 12+
    Instruments: violin and other bowed strings; flute/whistle*; piano*, guitar*, bass guitar* mandolin*, and accordion*; percussion*
    Pre-requisite: 3+ years playing experience
    Co-requisite: weekly private lessons
    Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, September - June
    Performances Include:
    • Community Concert Series (6-12 performances)
    • Performance at Vancouver Int'l Mountain Film Festival
    • Spring Community Ceili Dance
    • Theatre Shows: 1-2 shows as guests of the Senior Ensemble
    • Lynn Valley Days parade (weather permitting)
    • (Optional) Attendance at a summer fiddle camp

    Faculty: Claude Giguère, Phil Graves
    Tuition:  $925

    How to join: Fill out an application form to arrange an audition and Meet & Greet

    Audition Requirements:

    *Limited spaces available. Please inquire.

  • Senior North Shore Celtic Ensemble

    Our senior players are committed to and passionate about ensemble music. They want to be part of a high-level performance group and to explore new directions with their music. Players perform complex arrangements of traditional and contemporary fiddle tunes as well as original music that blends folk, jazz, and classical.

    Age: 13+
    Instruments: violin and other bowed strings; flute/whistle*; piano*, guitar*, bass guitar* mandolin*, and accordion*; percussion*
    Pre-requisite: 3+ years of playing experience, including at least 1 year in Junior NSCE
    Co-requisite: weekly private lessons
    Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm September - June

    Performances Include:

    • Self-produced theatre shows
    • Spring Community Ceili dance
    • Local festivals, events and fundraisers
    • Collaboration with other music ensembles (orchestra, choir, etc)
    • Lynn Valley Days parade (weather permitting)

    Faculty: Claude Giguère, Kirin Lamb
    Tuition: $1,250
    Additional Activity (fees independent from tuition and determined by itinerary):

    • Two weekend retreats with professional musicians and/or other youth groups (~$150/ea.)
    • Weekend travel to perform and/or attend workshops with other fiddle groups in BC
    • A 10-14 day summer tour every 2 years
    • (Optional) Attendance at a summer fiddle camp

    How to join: Students must spend 1+ year in the Junior Ensemble before auditioning for the Senior Ensemble.

    Audition Requirements:

    *Limited spaces available. Please inquire.


     

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  • Testimonials
    “… this music that reaches out to each and every tired body in a concert hall is miraculous in its ability to strip away all modern day distractions and give the gift of spiritual renewal. From toddler to wizened fiddler, the children of the North Shore Celtic Ensemble entrance them, lead them and me into motion, physically vibrating with each rollicking and melancholy tune, and send us out into the evening air with a shared confidence that life is good ... from humble beginnings to gala events…the North Shore Celtic Ensemble ... can give much more than it takes.”
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    - Caroline Canfield Cole,
    Professional Violinist