• Music Store

    Band Instruments reeds and more..

    The  same reeds and gear I use for my own professional engagements, along with prices that match the big stores we offer valuable advice. Mouthpieces, stands, tuners, reeds cases, metronomes and instruments.

     

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  • Woodwind Repairs

    Professional Performing Musicians, Band teachers and Discerning Amateurs send their instruments to us.  Expert repairs and advice that only a first class performer and repairman can give. Since 1991 serving the North from Prince George. Repair and service for your instruments so they and you play at 100% all the time. 

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  • Music Lessons

    voice, piano, flute, saxophone oboe or clarinet  all ages and styles.
     Yes our students all do well on their exams get recommended to provincials or play in the symphony and in community events but more importantly they will have music as a fun and rewarding part of their lives- forever.

    Recommended by band teachers.

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  • Yamaha CSG Clarinets

     Simon Cole principal clarinet Prince George Symphony 

    A refined and ringing tone, superb intonation and response.

  • Sponsors of

     the New Horizons Senior Band For adults with no or long ago musical experience. Join us Mondays at 530-730 1st Baptist Church in PG for more info call the Director Simon Cole at 250-563-4693 or email him.

    Read More at  Alban Classical

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  • for your event

    By Simon Cole / 2007-12-16 22:23:53
    We have done background music for most of the big companies and associations. We are very easy to deal with and our product is very high quality Live Music Small groups of 2-5 up to a small band .…
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  • Saxophones NEW

    By Simon Cole / 2007-12-18 00:49:46
      #15007 soprano saxophone, straight body with two necks (straight & angled), clear lacquered body and keys, high F# key, low C# lock, pivoting low Bb spatula, engraved bell, high quality leather pads with metal resonators, roomy wood-shell case.…
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  • Nobel Flutes

    By Erica / 2009-06-11 06:11:38
    Nobel Flute #11230 high quality student flute, silver plated throughout, closed holes (plateaux), offset G key, C footjoint. This flute is a best seller within the Nobel catalogue. It outperforms many brands of flutes in this category.…
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  • Music Store

    By Simon Cole / 2011-06-13 08:30:12
    Band Instruments reeds and more.. The  same reeds and gear I use for my own professional engagements, along with prices that match the big stores we offer valuable advice. Mouthpieces, stands, tuners, reeds cases, metronomes and instruments.  
    Read More +
  • Woodwind Repairs

    By Simon Cole / 2011-06-13 09:30:22
    Professional Performing Musicians, Band teachers and Discerning Amateurs send their instruments to us.  Expert repairs and advice that only a first class performer and repairman can give. Since 1991 serving the North from Prince George. Repair and service for…
    Read More +
  • Music Lessons

    By Simon Cole / 2011-06-13 08:30:12
    voice, piano, flute, saxophone oboe or clarinet  all ages and styles. Yes our students all do well on their exams get recommended to provincials or play in the symphony and in community events but more importantly they will have music…
    Read More +
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Popular Features

  • Crack Repair
  • Bent Flute
  • Tone hole Repair
  • Cork pads on clarinet
  • New dent removal tools
Having lived and played in a Northern city for close to 20 years I have become a minor expert on cracked woodwinds. Not only is it cold and dry but we often have to play in drafty or cold halls a sure recipe for woodwind cracks. Read More
Uh........ Dad I think I sat on my Flute!Read More
We can replace broken tone holes Read More
ImageThis is a Selmer series 10S clarinet and a Selmer recital  they are beautiful clarinets in great condition.
 The A in particular does not play as one would expect however, response tuning and tone are poor.
 These are usually very good clarinets. A quick check reveals that the pads do not cover, they are skin pads which have warped over time.

I am going to repad the top joint with cork pads on all keys which are usually in the closed position.
 The other 2 keys will have traditional skin pads.
Read More
Image
We have added MDR
 (magnetic dent removal tools) to our repertoire.
Read More

Voice FAQ

Erica answers your voice questions
Erica answers your Voice Questions PDF  Print E-mail

  1. No. The lessons cater to the student's individual needs. You can be a complete beginner and still take voice lessons.



  2. I can't carry a tune can I still take voice lessons?
    Yes. Having trouble singing in tune can be caused by not having control of the voice or an ear that lacks the skill to pre-hear the pitches. Both of these things can be taught. Some people aren't even aware that they sing out of tune. If you know that you do you're probably ahead game and will be more receptive to learning how to improve your intonation.

  3. I smoke, will this affect my voice.
    Yes. Smoking or exposure to second hand smoke, can dry the protective mucus which surrounds your vocal cords. The vocal cords can become inflamed. Drinking lots of water will help to some degree. This doesn't mean that you can't sing if you smoke but you should know that it will affect your voice and the sound that you produce. However, if you wish to be a classical singer, don't even think about smoking. The demands of serious classical singing require the healthiest of vocal folds possible but don't take my word for it. There is lots of information available on the internet or you can consult a voice care professional such as a speech pathologist.



  4. What can I do on a daily basis to take care of my vocal chords?
    Stay healthy. Drink lots of water. Eat healthy foods including those that are water rich, exercise regularly and make sure that you get enough sleep. Be kind to your voice. Don't try to sing or talk excessively if have a sore throat or feel run down.



  5. Last night at choir we were practising the Hallelujah Chorus for about 30 min. and the soprano part is quite high. Afterwards I could barely talk for the rest of the evening. Is this harmful to the voice?
    Yes, this is very harmful for the voice. Over a long period of time this could lead to serious vocal damage. If you find that after singing for long periods of time or even short periods of time, that you are feeling hoarse, then it is very likely a problem with your vocal technique. You may be pushing or there is a lot of tension in your throat when you sing or perhaps you are singing in a range that is not comfortable for you. A good vocal teacher should be able to help you with this. Singing high notes, if approached correctly and if they are within a comfortable range of the singer should not cause the voice to become hoarse. Singing in general should always feel comfortable and easy and the throat relaxed no matter how difficult the repertoire. Hoarseness can also be caused by trying to sing through a sore throat, a bad cold or other illness. Other factors to consider are any medications you may be on that may dry the throat or an underlying medical condition. You can consult your family physician about these concerns.



  6. What about coffee?
    My understanding of coffee or caffeinated beverages including many pops is that they dry out the throat and should not be consumed directly before singing. If you drink a lot of these during the course of the day, you may want to drink a lot water to make up for it. Of course cutting down on your intake of caffeine would be ideal. Some recent studies claim that if you are a regular coffee drinker that coffee doesn't dry you out but I do not know enough about these studies to make any comments about them. You may find information about this on the Internet. One thing you can count on for sure is that drinking lots of water on a daily basis is good for the vocal chords. But don’t take my word for it, try it and you will actually feel a noticeable difference in how your throat feels. There are various ways to make water more interesting by adding some citrus slices or making hot or cold herbal teas. If you need a bit of a lift try a nice peppermint tea.

    Do you have a question ? send it in I will do my best to answer it.
               

Alban Classical


Private performance April 14

PGSO April 21

Wind World Alban classical school show April 23 and 30