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About Our Ensembles

We believe that kids are motivated to learn and grow as musicians when they are inspired by the music and the social setting where it happens. This is why our programs begin with Celtic music! At the heart of the Celtic music tradition is the idea of getting together and sharing music. What better way to make music fun?

  • Program Details

    Group

    Program Description

    Schedule

    Intro to Fiddling

    Registration OPEN

    Age 5 - 12 and can play a simple melody and/or scale

     

    Register separately for:

    Fall (Sep - Dec); 13 classes

    Winter (Jan - Mar); 9 classes

    Spring (Apr - Jun); 12 classes

    Fees $18/class; ~ $200/session

    Wed, 6:15 - 7:15 pm

    North Vancouver

    Strings & Things

    Registration OPEN

    Age 9+ and have 2+ years of playing experience. Weekly private lessons recommended.

    Fees $670/year

    Wed, 5 - 6:15 pm

    North Vancouver
    Strings & Things EAST VANCOUVER

    Registration OPEN

    Age 5+ with ~ 2 months - 2 years of playing experience. Can play a simple melody and/or scale. NEW in January 2022!

    THURS, 6 - 7 pm

    EAST VANCOUVER

    Junior

    Age 12+ and have 3+ years of playing experience. Private lessons and audition required.

    Wed, 6 - 7:30 pm

    North Vancouver

    Senior

    Age 13+ etc. Private lessons and audition required.

    Wed, 7:30 - 9:30 pm AND Sat, 10 am - 12 noon

    North Vancouver

     

  • Registration Process

    Registration is currently open for Intro and Strings N Things Programs. General registration will open up for all ensembles in June 2022. Please click on "Apply Now" if you'd like to visit one of our rehearsals and check us out!

    Early Registration for next season: June 4 - 24, 2022. Early registration offers a discount in fees.

    Regular Registration: Open year-round space permitting

    Please complete ALL of the following registration steps:

    1. Complete the registration form
    2. Complete the code of conduct
    3. Payment due by September 1, 2021. We will invoice you in July to confirm the amount due.
    4. For registration mid-season, invoices will be sent and fees due immediately upon receipt.

    Program Details


    Group

    Fees *

    North Shore

    Edgemont Village, North Van 

    East Vancouver

    Commercial Drive area

    Intro to Fiddling

    ~$200 / term

    Fall, Winter & Spring terms

    Wed, 6:15 - 7:15 pm

    Fall, Winter & Spring terms

    Mon, 5:30 - 6:30 pm

    Strings N Things

    $670/year

    Wed, 5 - 6:15 pm 

    Thur, 6 - 7 pm

    Junior

    $905/year

    Wed, 6 - 7:30 pm

    -

    Senior

    $1210/year

    Wed, 7:30 - 9:30 pm AND 

    Sat, 10 am - 12 noon

    -


    * Discounts available for early registration and one-time annual payment.  Fees can also be prorated for students who start after our season begins. We are very aware this past year has been particularly challenging for some families financially.  New this year, we're offering student bursaries on a limited basis to offset tuition fees.  Apply for a student bursary here.

     

    Click here for a detailed breakdown of fees.


    Additional Fees and Considerations:


    In-lieu of Volunteering: The NSCE relies with gratitude on parent volunteers to support our programs and performances.  In addition to the basic expectation that each family helps to sell tickets to performances, everyone is asked to commit to at least ~ 10 hrs over the course of the year.  Specific roles and time commitments are described in the registration form.  If you are unable to volunteer your time, an additional $100 fee is assessed on top of your program fees. 


    Seniors Retreats: The Senior Ensemble has two retreats/season in September and January.  Each retreat costs $175. This fee covers food, venue rental and payment of professional musicians who participate in the retreat.  Senior ensemble members will be assessed their fall retreat fee as part of their September payment.


    Junior and Senior Tours/Trips: Additional fees are assessed, on a cost recovery basis, for 1 -2 tours and/or trips over the course of the season.


    T-shirts: All SnT, Junior and Senior ensemble musicians require a colourful NSCE t-shirt ($20/each) for performances.  Please contact to order one.



    Key Dates:

     

    June 25, 2021

    Last day for Early Registration (all registration steps must be completed)

    Sep 1

    Program fees due

    Sep 10-12

    Seniors Welcome Back retreat, Camp Capilano 

    Sep 12, ~ 2 pm

    All Ensembles and Families - Welcome Back Gathering, Camp Capilano

    Week of Sep 13

    Rehearsals Start

    Sep 19

    Juniors retreat, Camp Capilano

    Oct 11

    Thanksgiving (no rehearsal for Vancouver programs)

    Nov 21

    Winter concert - Terry Fox Theatre

    Nov 27

    Winter concert - Centennial Theatre

    Week of Dec 13

    Last week of rehearsals before Winter Break

    Jan 7 - 9, 2022

    Seniors Winter Retreat, Camp Capilano

    Week of Jan 10

    Rehearsals restart after break

    Mar 14 - 25

    Spring Break (no rehearsals)

    April 22-24

    Vancouver Fiddle Summit (TBC)

    ~May 12-14

    Seniors Galiano Tour (TBC)

    June 13

    Last week of rehearsals

    June 18

    Year end picnic and gathering

    ~ July 10-17, 2022

    Likely Seniors Canadian Tour...TBC


     

  • Strings & Things

    A group for kids who love music to get together, play, and have fun! Players learn how to be positive and engaging performers, play games each rehearsal, and perform in the community.

    Age: 9+
    Instruments: violin, viola and cello; flute*, piano*, guitar*

    Rehearsals:

    North Vancouver

    Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:15 pm; September - June

    Who can Join? Students ~ 9+ years with 2+ years of playing experience. Weekly private lessons are recommended.

    Performances Include:

    We are continuously assessing our safe return to stage opportunities and are excited to get back performing!  In a “normal” year, the SnT group has:

    • ~6 community concerts and events
    • Performances at holiday celebrations and seniors residences

    Faculty: Clarice Scop

    Tuition: 2021-22 NSCE Fee and Program Schedule

    How to join: Click "Apply now" if you would like to arrange a Meet & Greet to learn more. Otherwise please register and we will be in touch to confirm placement and payment.

     

  • 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 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: Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, September - June
     

    Performances Include:

    We are continuously assessing our safe return to stage opportunities and are excited to get back performing! In a “normal” year, the Junior group has:

    • 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: Gabriel Dubreuil and Claude Giguère
    Tuition:  2021-22 NSCE Fee and Program Schedule

    How to join: Students must audition to join the Junior Ensemble.  Please contact gabriel@nsce.ca to arrange an audition. 

    *Limited places 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: Wednesday, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm and Saturdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm September - June

    Performances Include:

    We are continuously assessing our safe return to stage opportunities and are excited to get back performing!  In a “normal” year, the Senior group has:

    • 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 and Gabriel Dubreuil
    Tuition: 2021-22 NSCE Fee and Program Schedule
    Additional Activity (fees independent from tuition and determined by itinerary):

    • Two weekend retreats with professional musicians and/or other youth groups (~$175/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.  Please contact gabriel@nsce.ca to arrange an audition. 

     

  • Registration Fees

    Note that these fees do not include the cost of retreats or trips.

    Early Registration Fees (Up to June 25, 2021):

    Group

    Program Details -

    North Vancouver

    Single Payment

    (5% discount; due Sep 1)

    Semi-Annual Installment

    (due Sep 1 and Jan 1)

    Strings N Things

    Wed, 5 - 6:15 pm

    $620

    $650 (2x $325)

    Junior

    Wed, 6 - 7:30 pm

    $855

    $900 (2x $450)

    Senior

    Wed, 7:30 - 9:30 pm AND Sat, 10 am - 12 noon

    $1160

    $1225 (2x $612.50)

     

    Regular Registration Fees (AFTER June 25, 2021):

    Group

    Program Details -

    North Vancouver

    Single Payment

    (5% discount; due Sep 1)

    Semi-Annual Installment

    (due Sep 1 and Jan 1)

    Strings N Things

    Wed, 5 - 6:15 pm

    $670

    $700 (2x $350)

    Junior

    Wed, 6 - 7:30 pm

    $905

    $950 (2x $475)

    Senior

    Wed, 7:30 - 9:30 pm AND Sat, 10 am - 12 noon

    $1210

    $1275 (2x $637.50)

     

    Intro to Fiddling

    Program Details - North Vancouver

    Single Payment ($18/session)

    Fall Session (Sep-Dec)

    Wed, 6:15 - 7:15 pm; 13 sessions

    $229

    Winter Session (Jan-Mar)

    Wed, 6:15 - 7:15 pm; 9 sessions

    $159

    Spring Session (Apr-Jun)

    Wed, 6:15 - 7:15 pm; 12 sessions

    $212

     

    East Vancouver Programs: NEW!     

    Group

    Program Details -

    East Vancouver

    Single Payment

    (5% discount; due Sep 1)

    Semi-Annual Installment

    (due Sep 1 and Jan 1)

    Strings N Things

    Mon, 6:30 - 7:30 pm

    $670

    $700 (2x $350)

    Intros - Fall*

    Mon, 5:30 - 6:30 pm

    $211

    n/a

    Intros - Winter*

    Mon, 5:30 - 6:30 pm

    $141

    n/a

    Intros - Spring

    Mon, 5:30 - 6:30 pm

    $212

    n/a

     

Get Involved
  • Testimonials
    "Our diverse audiences have enjoyed their concerts immensely and we have found it especially appropriate to have these community-minded young people here as we raise awareness for North Shore Hospice as a place where family and friends meet and where we can all help to make the last days of a loved one's life as rich and rewarding as possible."
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    - Jane Webley,
    Manager
    Vancouver Coastal Health