Clarinet Saxophone Flute

Simon Cole clarinetI have a  friendly easy going style, you can be a serious musician
One of Canadas shining stars (Chamber music Kelowna) and still have fun. I have students of all ages and levels, some just want a few tips for band others are more intense it's all still music, at any level.

 

NEW Congratulations to Piers honors Grade 4 Clarinet

 Students Lucas G, Grace F, Grace W, Karen B, Alex B  have all performed with the pgso this year.

*Voice *Piano*Oboe

B.Mus Oboe and voice
Erica SkowronAll ages and styles. gentle supportive teaching style.
 
 
Student's describe me as easy going.  The fact that they see me as''easy going'', shows that their steady progress is enjoyable to them and doesn't feel difficult.
 This is ideal, the student progresses steadily without frustration.  I enjoy teaching very much and enjoy it more and more every year.  With music there is always something new to learn and even with my University degree and 20+ years of performing experience, I am still challenging myself through reading, workshops and the occasional lesson with my mentors. 
 I have a wonderful group of students of all ages and levels and from different walks of life.  Each student learns in their own unique way and I love the challenge of understanding how they think and how I can help them.   
  • A studio
    a warm friendly place to learn music A studio
  • Robin
    Learn to play as well as Robin and you too will be frequently asked to perform. Participate in the musical life of your community. Robin

Student Comment

          You're never too old to learn. At age 71, I was concerned about difficulties I was having with my voice. Having sung in a choir for 40 years it was devastating to think I'd no longer have the joy of singing. A hearing check and music lessons were recommended at a workshop for the so called aging voice. Weekly sessions recommended by Erica have solved my problem. Now I am well past 71 enjoying singing as much as ever and doing better that ever. Thanks Erica!

"A fantastic clarinetists, most of the worlds great Orchestras do not have such a player"
W. Kushner Berlin philharmonic
"Simon Cole has every ability and quality a musician could want"
Noam Sheriff Conductor, Israel
"Talented and gifted, using the clarinet to express and communicate"
Richard Stoltzman clarinetist/recording artist USA

Studio News

 

Congratulations to Piers honors Grade 4 Clarinet

 
 Exams Next session is in June, remember you must be able to play all your material by the sign up date(March 6 for June 11-30 exams) to have my permission to proceed.


NEW We have added a number of sing along and play along files for the grade 2 flute and voice exams and Grade 3 voice exam
 A NEW section where you can download sheet music and methods. (log in in to see it) The grade 2 sax exam scales have been updated-bug fix.

Music Lessons

Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Oboe, Piano, Voice (singing) Theory and History. Lessons for all ages and levels. From beginner to advanced.

Long list of successful students year after year the best wind players study with us.  RCM 100% pass rate. Students compose, play with the symphony excel at the music festival etc.

A level of instruction not normally found outside major cities. 

Quality Reputation Integrity

New students and parents are often concerned about getting good value for their lessons fees (and rightly so). After being at Cole's for a while they soon realize that they are getting way more than their monies worth. Most students stay with us for years.
We have had more successful students over the last 27 years (in obvious ways, like winning competitions, playing with the orchestra, getting jobs in music and doing well on exams and in less dramatic ways like having music as a positive part of their lives) than all the other wind teachers combined.

Orchestra Etiquette

Last Updated on 16 November 2010
Like any closed society, orchestras have their own rules and standards of conduct, some are merely a matter of common sense but for a new player they are alas not always obvious, so here are some of the basics.
 These are not in any particular order.

 
  • Be prepared, if you can't play your part you are letting the side down.
    • Never ever have your tuner on the stand while the oboist is giving the A. This tells everyone that you have no ear and it's insulting, it's ok to use it before though.
    • If someone near you is playing a solo DO NOT move, tap your foot or fingers, fidget; adjust your music, finger along, watch their part while they play etc. They need all their attention to be on what they are doing not on you being a distraction. This is under the "you will never be asked to play again" category.
    • Do not play sharp to make your tone project at the expense of those who play in tune
    • Do not ever warm up on someone Else's solos
    • Do not turn around to look at someone who has made a mistake or is playing a solo. In fact don't move.
    • Do not warm up on every fancy excerpt and concerto you know because when you do then miss that whole note you will become a laughing stock." "Remember that guy.."
    • Do not practice stuff you cannot do, in public.
    • Do not practice all the major solos from the concert loudly.
    • Do not warm up with practice tone.
    • Do not complain about other players or talk about who made mistakes, especially outside the ensemble. Imagine what they might be saying about you. Players have to be able to trust the people they are performing with.
    • Follow your section leader. If you aren't with them it would be better if you weren't there and if you do this often enough, you won't be.
    • Know what the tricky notes and ranges are on the other instruments so you can accommodate them by adjusting your tuning and volume.
    • Always assume your pitch is the wrong one. Adjust. Think about the tuning of every note you play
    • If the conductor asks you about a note, be prepared to refer to your part in concert pitch.
    • If you have a question ask the conductor at the break, if you are a section player ask the principal
    • If the conductor asks you to do something (musical) just nod and do it, never make excuses.
    • If the conductor asks you to do something (musical) you should be able to do it the first time or at most the second time. If you are asked 3 times and it doesn't happen you will be written off.
    • If you really listen to the section leader you will end up matching tones, do this.
    • Do not tap your foot.
    • Arrive in time to be at 440
    • Do not cross your legs
    • Do not yawn or look bored
    • Avoid strong perfume or cologne.
    • Do not make faces when you make or hear a mistake.
    • Be alert during bows
    • Be careful of balance; never drown out the lead voice.
    • Sigh..., I can't believe I have to add this one but..do not warm up by making the most disgusting and irritating sounds you can think off. Everyone is testing reeds, checking tuning and fine tuning  embouchure's so they want to be able to concentrate. You want to show what a great sound you have not how horrible it can be. Anytime you are playing it counts. It's not the time for humour.
  • Start and end your notes with the group.
  •  If you have finished playing and want to leave before the concert is finished do so discretely. Do not make a point of telling people you are leaving as you are basically telling them you have no interest them or their playing. You are also advertising the fact that you are not much of a musician as you care only for music in terms of your own self gratification.
     
  •  Make all the rehearsals. We want the show to go like and be like the rehearsals (more or less) If you are not at the rehearsals especially the dress you are causing stress for your colleges both at the rehearsal and in the show. This is a) arrogant ( "I'm so good I don't need to rehearse ") and b) selfish
  • New! If the conductor asks you to "play as if you are saying goodbye to life" don't say, " so you want that note shorter then?" This will let everyone know that you are an inanimate object, a brick  devoid of life and certainly any musical feeling
  • If your part does not have bar numbers..put them in, especially near important solos.
  • Do not warm up so loudly that no one else can hear themselves. e.g. FF timpani rolls
  • It's hard to put on a concert so do not be a PITA.

    .
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Latest Exam results

  • Congratulations to Piers honors Grade 4 Clarinet
  • Congratulations to Adam Judge Honors Grade 2 sax
  • Congratulations to Grace Finnie Honors Grade 4 Clarinet
  • Congatulations to Jenna Tiani 1st class Honors with Distincton Preparatory B Piano
  • Congratulations to Tyler Fennel First class Honors Grade 2 flute
  • Congratulations to Tyler Fennel First Class Honors Grade 2 voice
  • Congratulations to AJ Kenway First Class Honors Grade 2 voice
  • Congratulations to Holly Burke First Class Honors on her Grade 1 piano
  • Congratulations to Jessica Deveault Grade 1 Theory with first class honours
  • Congratulations to Jessica Deveault Grade 5 piano with honours
  • Congatulations to Jenna Tiani 1st class Honors with Distincton Preparatory A Piano
  • Congratulations to Steve Burke 1st class honors on his Grade 2 Piano
  • Congatulations to Arielle Nelles First Class Honours with Distinction grade 6 Flute.
  • Congratulations to Adam Judge-1st class honors Grade 1 Saxophone
  • Congratulations to karen Bartlett honors Grade 9 Clarinet
  • Congratulations to Jessica Grade 4 piano
  • Congratulations to Deidre Suhr- 1st class honors on her Grade 2 Clarinet
  • Congratulations to Piers 1st class honors on his Grade 1 Clarinet
  • Congratulations to Steve Burke 1st class honors on his Grade 1 Piano
  • Congratulations to Holly Burke 1st class honors on her Preparatory A Piano

Quick Registration

Call us now to sign up 250-563-4693 or email us

Great students and teachers together = fun and when it is enjoyable you learn.

What Happens in a Voice Lesson?

Each voice lesson is as unique as the student.  I am here to help you achieve your goals as a singer. 

 Whether you would like to sing in a choir, perform solos in church, sing a lead role in a musical or just sing for your own enjoyment, voice lessons can help.  We begin each lesson with a warm up to get your voice ready to sing.  In the warm up I will teach you how to breath, there will be exercises to relax the voice, exercises to improve the resonance of your voice and to improve your range.   If you have developed some bad habits over the years or specific issues with your singing we will work on those.  Then we work on the music.  I will help you choose music but the style of music is your choice.  I encourage to sing music you love. 

Top students

The top flute student at the festival for last 2 years (and many other years) studied here
The top clarinet student at the festival for the last 28 years studied here.
Top saxophone students-here again.
Student have the highest participation rate in competitions and exams with a 100% pass rate.
Clarinet students get good enough to perform with the symphony.
Great results without having to be harsh. Better to inspire instead.

Alban Classical


Dec 21-Volunteering to play for the Salvation army dinner
 Mozart Sinfonia concertante w/pgso Nov 5

  • Tenor sax obbligato for Tapestry singers Nov/Dec
  • Nutcracker with pgso Dec
  • Alban Classical a registered non profit.alban 
  • Played for  St. Vincent de Paul Society Thanksgiving Dinner/performed at the immigrant and multicultural dinner,played for St. Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Dinner
 



 

 

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