Music is one of the most natural forms of self-expression and provides an ideal educational basis for learning both the intellectual and aesthetic.

The ultimate objective of the music program is to develop musicianship with the integration of artistic performance, technical facility and musical literacy. Besides the inherent enjoyment of musical experiences, the study of music contributes to spiritual growth, social and cultural awareness, and the intellectual and emotional development of the individual.

Music is "everywhere" at St. Andrew's College. There is rarely a time at the school where one cannot hear our students practicing or performing. In our music programme, students take part in curricular music from grade 6 through grade 12. They also participate in a variety of extra-curricular concert bands, military bands and Pipe and Drum Bands, plus the option of extra-curricular jazz ensembles, string ensembles, and choirs, which prepare our boys for the major music events in the school. These events include the Chapel Services, Carol Service, Cadets in Concert, Cadet Inspection, ISMF and FOCUS. Our prize-winning bands also compete in Music Festivals and participate in music cultural exchanges to better enrich our students and provide them with a successful "musical" experience.

Sandi Chasson
Head of Music

The St. Andrew's Piping and Drumming Program is the leading program of its kind in Canada, and one of only a handful in North America. SAC features an 85-year-old pipe band, an extensive cadet piping and drumming teaching system, and academic credit available for piping and drumming in grades 9 through 12.

Pipers and drummers can begin study as early as grade 6, and those who continue until grade 12 can graduate with a level of musicianship that allows them to join the world's leading pipe bands. Two recent pipe majors have gone on to play with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, four-time world champions and arguably the world's best band over the past 10 years. The Pipes and Drums and its solo musicians perform frequently at the School and within the community, and are the musical heart of the School's annual Cadets in Concert stage show.

• Introductory Music, Grade 9, Open  
  AMU1O1 (Level 1)
  Prerequisite: None
  
  As an instrumental introduction to band, this course is designed for students with limited or no previous band experience. Some previous practical experience on the piano, guitar or an orchestral instrument is an advantage but not necessary. Throughout the year, students learn basic technique and acquire reading skills on their instrument. Through exposure to suitable elementary repertoire, students develop a sense of ensemble skills and achieve a reasonable facility on a band instrument by the end of the year. Development of the non-performance areas of listening, ear training, history and theory will be integrated into the program. A study of the Baroque era of music is explored. Participation in a SAC ensemble is strongly encouraged.
• Experienced, Music, Grade 9, Open  
  AMU1O2 (Level 2):
  
  SAC Recommended preparation: Grade 8 Band or equivalent band experience. Students taking private lessons may take this course after consultation with the Head of Music.
  This course is designed for students with at least one year of band experience or its equivalent in private study. Students continue to develop their listening and performance skills and acquire greater technical facility on their instrument. Students are exposed to a wide variety of Level 2 repertoire. Development of the non-performance areas of listening, ear training, history, and theory will be integrated into the program. A study of the Baroque era of music is explored. Advanced students may audition for the Wind Ensemble.  Rehearsals are Thursdays from 3:30pm to 5:15pm
• Bagpipe Grade 9 Open  
  AMU1OB
  
  Students must have at least one year of bagpipe study, be able to play four simple tunes on the pipes, and the approval of the Head of Music and the Director of Piping. Students will continue their development as pipers, learning more complex and demanding finger work and expanding their repertoire to include more difficult marching and ceremonial pieces and improving their ability to maintain and tune this temperamental instrument. Students are expected to be part of the AMR music repertoire program as members of the Junior or Senior Pipes & Drums. Students will also study general music theory as prescribed for the grade 9 level by the Ministry of Education.
• Drumming (Pipe Band Snare Drum) Grade 9 Open
  AMU1OD
  
  Participation in this class requires that the students must have some background in drumming or percussion, be able to play basic drum rudiments and have the approval of the Pipe Band Drumming Instructor. Students will develop their skills in order to be an effective pipe band drummer. Assessments are based on technical development on the instrument, repertoire, music theory, music history and an independent study project. Students are expected to take part in the AMR music repertoire as a member of the Junior Drum Corps.
• Music, Grade 10, Open
  AMU2O
  
  SAC Recommended preparation: Grade 9 Band or equivalent band experience. Students taking private lessons may take this course only after consultation with the Head of Music.
  This course emphasizes the creation and performance of music at a level consistent with previous experience. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities. Students will develop their understanding of musical conventions, practices, and terminology and apply the elements of music in a range of activities. They will also explore the function of music in society with reference to the self, communities, and cultures.
   
  This intermediate band course is designed for students with at least one year of band experience or its equivalent in private study. Students continue to develop their listening and performance skills and acquire greater technical facility on their instrument. This will be developed through exposure to a wide variety of Level 2 and Level 3 repertoire. Development of the non-performance areas of listening, ear training, history and theory will be integrated into the program. A study of the classical era of music is explored. As music is a performing art, all students enrolled in a music course MUST perform in an approved SAC music ensemble during the school year.  Advanced students may audition for the Wind Ensemble. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 3:30pm to 5:15pm
• Bagpipe, Grade 10
  AMU2OB
  Prerequisite: AMU1OB or equivalent
  
  Students must have at least a year on the pipes and have built up a repertoire of 15-20 tunes. Repertoire development on the pipes continues, including more than just band and ceremonial classics. Tuning and bagpipe maintenance skills are also developed further. Repertoire enhancement includes a competition march as well as simple jigs, strathspeys and reels. Students will also study general music theory as prescribed for the grade 10 level by the Ministry of Education. Students are expected to be part of the AMR music repertoire program as members of the Junior or Senior Pipes & Drums.
• Drumming (Pipe Band Snare Drum), Grade 10, Open
  AMU2OD
  Prerequisite: AMU1OD or equivalent
  
  Students must have at least one year experience in pipe band drumming and have learned the basic repertoire of the Senior Drum Corps. In addition to the basic march repertoire, simple strathspeys, reels and jigs will be introduced. Students will also complete a Drum Fanfare and begin learning improvisation through world music applications. Music theory, history and an Independent Study Unit will be included along with the continued technical focus and development of repertoire. Students are expected to take part in the ARM music repertoire program as members of the Senior Drum Corps.
• Music Repertoire, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
  AMR3M
  Prerequisite: Music, Grade 9 or 10, Open
  
  This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis and performance of various kinds of music including pipes and drums, marches and ceremonial music related to the SAC Cadet Program as well as a broad range of band literature, Canadian and international, aimed at enlivening general music appreciation. Students will perform technical exercises and appropriate repertoire, complete detailed creative activities and analyse and evaluate live and recorded performances. They will continue to increase their understanding of the elements of music while developing their technical imaginative abilities.
  
  This course is offered through the SAC Cadet Program
• Music, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
  AMU3M
  Prerequisite: Music, Grade 9 or 10, Open
  
  SAC Recommended preparation: Music, Grade 10, Open
  This course provides students with opportunities to develop their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music, including traditional, commercial, and art music. Students will apply the creative process when performing appropriate technical exercises and repertoire and will employ the critical analysis processes when reflecting on, responding to, and analysing live and recorded performances. Students will consider the function of music in society and the impact of music on individuals and communities. They will explore how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers.
   
  This intermediate/advanced band course is designed for students with at least two years of band experience or its equivalent in private study. Students continue to develop their listening and performance skills and acquire greater technical facility on their instrument. This will be developed through exposure to a wide variety of Level 3 repertoire. A greater emphasis is placed on the performance aspect of music through solo and chamber music. Development of the non-performance areas of listening, ear training, history and theory will be integrated into the program. A study of the Romantic era of music is explored. Students are required to participate in the SAC Wind Ensemble. The Wind Ensemble rehearsals are Thursdays from 3:30pm to 5:15pm.
• Bagpipe, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
  AMU3MB
  Prerequisite: AMU2OB or equivalent
  
  Students must have at least two years on the pipes and have built up a repertoire of more than 30 tunes, including at least one competition piece. By this stage in their development, students are expected to be able to tune their pipes and play at a basic solo performance level. Repertoire will include a number of competition pieces, and advanced level strathspeys, reels, hornpipes and jigs. Theory studies will now focus on pipe music and history: writing out tunes by hand from memory, studying the history of bagpipes and the music, and some simple composing and harmony creation. Students are expected to be part of the AMR music repertoire program as members of the Junior or Senior Pipes & Drums.
• Drumming (Pipe Band Snare Drum), Grade 11 Open
  AMU3MD
  Prerequisite: AMU2OD or equivalent
  
  Students must have at least two years experience on the pipe band snare drum and have built up a repertoire of ceremonial music and concert performance repertoire. In addition to standard band repertoire, students will be introduced to competition style marches, advanced drum fanfares and will complete a march, strathspey and reel set of music. Theory in grade 11 will focus more on the needs of the pipe band drummer and will develop writing skills required for a leading drummer. Music History will also focus on the history of pipe band drumming and famous drummers. Students are expected to be part of the AMR music repertoire program as members of the Senior Drum Corps.
• Music, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
  AMU4M
  Prerequisite: Music, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
  
  This course enables students to enhance their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music. Students will perform traditional, commercial, and art music, and will respond with insight to live and recorded performances.
  Students will enhance their understanding of the function of music in society and the impact of music on themselves and various communities and cultures. Students will analyse how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers.
  
  This advanced band course is designed for students with at least three years of band experience. This is the culmination of musical studies at SAC Students continue to develop their listening and by the end of the year will have achieved a high level of performance skill on their instrument. This will be developed through exposure to a wide variety of Level 3 and Level 4 repertoire. Although the course is based on performance, students will have the opportunity to study arranging, musical analysis, composing and conducting. Development of the non-performance areas of listening, ear training, history and theory will be integrated into the program. A study of 20th Century music is undertaken. Students are required to participate in the SAC Wind Ensemble. The Wind Ensemble rehearsals are Thursdays from 3:30pm to 5:15pm.
• Bagpipe, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
  AMU4MB
  Prerequisite: AMU3MB or equivalent
  
  Students must have at least three years on the pipes and have built up a repertoire of more than 30 marching tunes, ceremonial pieces, dance music and several competition tunes. Students are expected to be able to tune their drones well and now learn how to tune the pipe chanter and a group of pipers. Advanced light music skills are honed with more competition music and difficult jigs and hornpipes. Students will also learn and perform at least one piobaireachd – the classical music of the bagpipe. Theory studies will now focus on writing out complex pieces of pipe music by hand and using software both from memory and recordings, as-well-as where the bagpipe fits in with concert instruments. History will delve into piping families and other types of pipes. Students at this level are expected to be the leading musicians in the Senior Pipes & Drums.
• Drumming (Pipe Band Snare Drum), Grade 12 University/College Preparation
  AMU4MD
  Prerequisite: AMU3MD or equivalent
  
  Students must have at least three years experience on the pipe band snare drum and have built up a repertoire that includes marching tunes, ceremonial pieces, dance music and several competition sets. Students are expected to be able to tune their own instrument and to assist in the tuning of the Corps. In addition to competition sets, the students will develop a competition Hornpipe and Jig and perform an advanced level drum fanfare. Students will further develop their writing skills and compose a competition march using computer software tools. Music history will focus on the highlights of percussion development over the centuries and its application to the pipe band idiom. Students are expected to be part of the ARM music repertoire program as a member of the Senior Drum Corps.