VSO Connects Secondary

VSO Connects Secondary

VSO CONNECTS SECONDARY pilot program grew from the success of VSO Connects Elementary. With a focus on enhancing secondary school music programs, students will work with VSO Musicians for three clinics to improve their skills and musicianship as well as increase their understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a professional musician. Presentations given by post secondary music students and Maestro Otto Tausk provide secondary students with a glimpse of the life of a musician from the perspective of both an aspiring orchestral musician and an established, world renowned conductor.

How VSO Connects Works

Participating school districts identify a secondary school to implement the program. Each school selects a music ensemble to participate in the program, and creates a school team which consists of a school administrator and music director. The school team attends a – day orientation to become familiar with the program. Students will participate in all six modules.

VSO Connects Secondary – Modules

Module 1: Enhancing Musicianship

In this module students are introduced to and work with four VSO musicians in sectional settings to develop instrumental technique and music understanding.

Module 2: (Schools select from the following two options)

A: Role and Responsibility of a Professional Musician
With two VSO musicians leading this module, students learn about the contribution of each individual musician within an ensemble, and the experiences the musicians have had as a member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

B: Professional Practice Habits
With two VSO musicians, students learn about practice habits that VSO musicians incorporate in their own practice sessions. Students learn about how to prepare for rehearsals and concerts with proper practice habits and improve their understanding of personal responsibilities through problem solving, goal setting and self reflection.

Module 3: (Schools select from the following two options)

A: Perfect and Perform
Students are given the opportunity to demonstrate, apply , and further their learning from modules 1 and 2. Students will continue working in their sectional groups to refine and improve the musical selections previously rehearsed in module 1.  Students will explore techniques to prepare a musical selection for performance and evaluation.

B: Preparing for an Audition
Students are given the opportunity to demonstrate and apply their learning from modules 1 and 2 in an informal performance setting.  Students will explore the experience of auditioning as a way to demonstrate the synthesis of their skills, understanding and efforts towards accomplishing their personal performance goals.

C: Finding Your Sound
Students are given the opportunity to demonstrate and apply their learning from Modules 1 and 2 in an informal performance setting.  Students will explore the experience of playing music from three different musical genres as a way to demonstrate the synthesis of their skills, understanding, and efforts towards accomplishing their personal performance goals.

Module 4: (Schools select from the following two options)

A: Meet the Maestro
The VSO Music Director, Maestro Otto Tausk, will host a session with the participating school community including students, teachers, administration, and parents/guardians. During an interactive presentation, Maestro Tausk will discuss the importance of symphonic music and the role music has played in his life.

B: Rehearsal with the Maestro
The VSO Music Director, Maestro Otto Tausk, will rehearse a piece that the music director has chosen. Students will have the opportunity to experience the rehearsal style and expectations of a world class conductor.

Module 5: 

A: An Open Rehearsal & Concert Experience with the VSO
Initially, students will attend a rehearsal where they will observe the process of preparing for a concert. Following the rehearsal, each student will be given a pair of tickets to attend the concert and hear the finished product. A tour of the Orpheum will occur either before or after the rehearsal.

B: An Open Rehearsal – On-Stage Experience
Each music director will select two students who has expressed an interest in pursuing music as a career to attend a special on-stage rehearsal. Students who attend the on-stage rehearsal will receive a pair of tickets to attend the concert and hear the finished product.

Module 6: Meet an Aspiring Musician

A post-secondary music student gives a presentation on their experiences studying and pursuing a musical career at a post secondary institution. They will discuss their background, their immediate and long-term goals, and give a mini-performance on repertoire that they are currently studying.