Tuition Fees
Tuition fees include the yearly participation in the GVYMA ensembles the student joins after the placement audition. The tuition fee for one ensemble is $350.00 for the year. If a student would like to join a second ensemble, the additional ensemble fee is discounted to $275.00. Tuition is payed upon registration at the first rehearsal in September, or online prior to the registration date.
Please note that retreats and tours are not included in the tuition fee.
The GVYMA can assist students who require financial aid in order to participate. If you would like to inquire as to these options, please email our director -- Nina Falcos -- at gvyma.wind.ensemble@gmail.com.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is the most advanced ensemble of the Greater Vancouver Youth Music Academy. This group navigates through some exceptionally challenging repertoire, and delves into the music on deeply emotional levels. This ensemble is comprised of students 25 years of age or younger who have at least 3 years of experience on their instrument. Holding a high standard of intonation, rhythmic integrity, and emotional variety, students flourish within the high expectations and lively rehearsal atmosphere. SWE is now known as one of the finest ensembles in the Lower Mainland with its professional quality sound and musical expression.
The season runs from September 2017-June 2018.
Rehearsals: Sundays from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Rehearsals take place at: St. Thomas More Collegiate, 7450 12th Avenue, New Westminster
Concert Winds
The Concert Wind Ensemble is GVYMA's intermediate concert band. This ensemble is comprised of talented student musicians between grades 7 through 12. As part of the Concert Winds, students strengthen their technical, musical and ensemble abilities through rehearsals and performances of a wide variety of the finest concert band literature.
Concert Winds is a lively ensemble with an unbeatable amount of determination and eagerness towards musical mastery. Such a craving has left the world speechless when this ensemble performs, as they are full of exciting surprises. Their collective personality inspires positive educational and personal growth which in turn produces outstanding quality within their performances.
The director of the Concert Winds is assisted at every rehearsal by a team of outstanding instrumental coaches, who provide individualized and specific instruction for each section of the ensemble. Our coaches are leaders in the GVYMA Symphonic Wind Ensemble, many of whom are studying to be professional music educators or performers.
Through creative rehearsal techniques, expert repertoire selection, and high musical standards, the Concert Wind Ensemble offers students an ongoing opportunity to play and interact with other advanced and dedicated young musicians.
It is recommended that students have at least one to two years of experience on their instrument when entering Concert Winds. This varies depending on the amount of musical experience the student has (ie. whether they take private lessons or not, whether they have piano experience, etc.). If you have any questions about our ensembles' performance levels please click here to contact our ensemble staff.
The season runs from September 2017-June 2018.
Rehearsals: Sundays from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Rehearsals take place at: St. Thomas More Collegiate, 7450 12th Avenue, New Westminster
The GVY Jazz Bands
The GVY Jazz Bands provides a challenging environment where students can explore the wide world of jazz. Importance throughout the year is placed on learning a variety of styles within the jazz idiom. All students are given the opportunity to explore improvisation in a supportive setting. This band learns and performs over 30 charts per season, including outstanding big band music by composers such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman and countless others. The students will work with coaches from the Vancouver music community in small settings to offer instrument-specific instruction as well as more focused personal attention.
The season runs from September 2017-June 2018.
Rehearsals for Signature Jazz: Saturdays from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Rehearsals for Premier Jazz: Saturdays from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Performances and Rehearsals take place at: Massey Theatre in New Westminster.