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Louise Southwood is our Music Theory and classical guitar teacher here at the Delta Community Music school.  We had a short interview with her earlier this month as a part of our “getting to know your teacher” series here at DCMS.

1) How old were you when you started playing the guitar?

I was eight years old when I first started playing the guitar. There was an old classical guitar in the attic and my next door neighbour was a guitar teacher so it seemed like a good idea to start lessons!

2) What do you like best about teaching?

Teaching can be an incredibly rewarding profession. The best moments are when a student has listened to your advice, gone home and practiced and come back to their next lesson and played to the best of their ability. The pride and satisfaction in the achievement is the same for the student and the teacher.

3) What was one of your favorite moments performing in public?

One of my favourite moments performing in public was when I returned to Bermuda where I lived and taught for seven years. I performed in the annual Bermuda guitar festival which I had I helped organize during my stay there. The audience was full of old friends and past students, and I think I performed better than I ever had before because the atmosphere was so special.

4) Who is your favorite composer

My favorite composer has to be J.S Bach. He was a genius who wrote such complex and emotionally moving music. He didn’t write for the Classical guitar but many of his works have been transcribed for the instrument and sound fantastic on it. My particular favourite is his Chaconne from his second violin Partita…it is a monster to play but well worth the time and effort!

5)  I know you have been teaching for our school for the past few years, and working and living here in the Vancouver area, but where else have you been working or teaching as a musician?

At the start of my career I taught and performed in London ( in the UK where I am from). I worked at a number of top private schools….even one which Prince William used to attend! And as mentioned earlier, I taught in Bermuda for seven years. It was a brilliant experience as I taught the guitar full time to students of all ages and abilities. I also performed regularly as I was only one of two Classical guitarists in the country. I can’t remember the number wedding ceremonies on the beach I performed for!

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Winter 2018

Classes from Preparatory to level 8.  Mondays and Wednesdays schedule TBA.  Private lessons in Music Theory are available. Please contact the school office or Louise for more information.

These classes follow the Royal Conservatory of Music New Theory syllabus and the “Celebrate Theory” Series of publications.

RCM Thoery Poster

Instructor – Louise Southwood

 

School Events – Fall 2017

November 19th – 2 pm – Student Recital and AGM – All Saints Anglican Parish
– Arthur Drive at Ladner Trunk Road.

December 9th – 6:30 pm – Student Recital – All Saints Anglican Parksh
– teachers – must sign up students by Thursday,  Nov. 30 – second section TBA

December 12th – 7 – 9 pm – Christmas with DCMS Jazz
– Jazz ensembles directed by Brad Muirhead – Petras by L’Aromas – 12th Ave at 56th St. Delta BC

December 16th – 3:30 pm – Voice Recital – studio of Tracy Neff
– Kinsroom, Delta Community Music School –

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The Delta Community Music School is CLOSED Sunday, October 22 – October 29
inclusive to host the City of Delta’s Annual Family Fright Fest and Haunted House.

During this week City of Delta Parks, Recreation and Culture uses the heritage house to create a “haunted house” which will be open for viewing as a part of the Family Fright Fest on Wednesday, October 25th from 4 – 8 pm.

The School opens again Monday, October 30th. We are actually open for lessons on Halloween (Oct. 31) as the city never chooses the day of Halloween for their Halloween event. There are no scheduled lessons from Oct.22 – Oct. 29 inclusive.

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We are pleased to offer a new class this fall for voice!

The Voice Collective!

Junior (ages 9-13) (Grades 4 – 7) and Senior (ages 13-18) (Grades 8 – 12) 

 

This class is geared to young singers who want to work on a collective sound, strengthen their voices and sharpen their ears for harmony.  Solos will be optional however the focus will be on ensemble singing.  A variety of music will be explored and students will have a chance to work with guest instructors including Ann Golden Fisher, Tony Barton, Carol Davis, Natasha Neufeld, Natasha Dagostino and more.
Taught by Tracy Neff and accompanied by Stephen Robb, this group will prepare material for performances in the community and through the Delta Community Music School.

 

Starts Thursday, September 21 – Junior class – 7pm, Senior class – 8 pm

Registration deadline is September 18th.

Fee: $144 per 12 week term -plus $10 registration and $5 membership fee (if applicable)

Voice Collective Registration form Sept 2017 -Senior

Voice Collective Registration form Sept 2017 -Junior

Instructor: Tracy Neff (voice) with Stephen Robb (accompanist)