july 2026 - summer programs coming Soon!
Every July we offer summer programs, which differ from our regular schedule of musical offerings. More details will be announced soon. If you have any questions, get in touch with us via email: info@friendsofmusic.ca
All Summer Programs will be held in the EMP Theatre at 2328 Trent St. Please use the Fort Street entrance. We have a spacious air-conditioned Theatre, to escape the summer heat. We have accessible seating areas in the theatre, wheel chair ramps at two entryways, a powered lift to access the theatre stage, and one accessible washroom nearby (at Victoria Mental Health lobby). Please call us, if you are new to friends of music, so we can provide more information about accessibility and special instructions.
BEGINNER MUSIC THEORY with Jenna Trill
MONDAY July 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th from 1:00-2:30 pm
Leave your instruments at home for this Beginner Music Theory Course.
Beginner workbooks will be provided. Jenna’s enthusiasm for music theory
is bound to be contagious. As you follow along with your pencil and eraser
Jenna will begin to take the mystery out of reading music and some of the
Italian terminology.
Beginner Ukulele with Avram McCagherty
MONDAY – July 6th and 13th from 3-4:30pm
These session will focus on fun, easier tunes and will appeal to newer ukulele players. Spoiler altert; by the end of these two sessions, you’ll be ready to perform these newly polished songs, at the pre-movie concert in EMP on July 13th at EMP at 6pm.
IMPROVISATIONAL SOLOING with Ben Beaudet
TUESDAY July 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th from 1-3pm
Learn to trust your musical intuition and experience the true meaning of
Facile, Facile Improvisation. Everyone is welcome. Even beginners can explore
Rhythm, dynamics and attitude, while soloing with just one note. Let’s do this.
Email info@friendsofmusic.ca to let us know which instrument you plan to bring.
GUITAR KARAOKE with Chey Hjelt
WEDNESDAY JULY 8th from 1:00-3:00pm
This is a new twist on Karaoke. It is the guitar players who will shine. You name the song,
and we provide the backtracks. You play-along, or play air-guitar. We provide the amps.
You can bring your own guitar or borrow one of ours. Thanks for this great idea, Chey!
One session only, so be sure to sign up, by emailing info@friendsofmusic.ca
VOICE WORKSHOP with Colleen Ball
WEDNESDAY July 15th, 22nd and 29th from 1-3pm
For any vocalist who wants to explore some vocal technique for artistry and expression, breathing for “pitch and power” in singing, vocal freedom through expression and creativity and with some fun vocal improvisation and harmony.
Summer Ukulele with Avram McCagherty
THURDAY – from 10:30am-12:30pm
Thurs July 9th, 16th and 30th
These three, 2-hour sessions will appeal to advanced players.
SUMMER TUNE UP with Barry Turner
THURSDAYS from 1:00-3:00pm
Thurs July 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th
There will be Sixties, Elvis, Beatles and FOM goes Country, in this drop-in group that includes a non-auditioned chorus and a rhythm section. Singers, drummers, guitarists, bass players, piano players & really, any instrumentalist or singers are welcome, whether you play what’s written or play by ear. This is a low-key group that welcomes all skill levels. This is a great chance to meet new people. With an opportunity to be involved in a performance, if you choose: Social Gathering Place BBQ Sat July 18th 2:30-3:30 at Fernwood Community Centre. Food and drinks are offered. Drop-in and join summer tune up on stage!
*Please register by email, to info@friendsofmusic.ca Let us know which instrument you’ll bring, which weeks you’ll attend
july 2025 - summer programs
Summer Ukulele with Avram McCagherty
TUESDAYS – from 10:00am-12:00pm
Tues July 8th – Transposing and Playing Campfire Songs By Ear
Tues July 15th - Licks and Endings
Tues July 22nd - Moveable Chords and Jazz
Tues July 29th - Moveable Chords and Jazz
These 2-hour workshops, will appeal to the more advanced ukulele player or any ukulele player, looking for a bit of a challenge. There will be a friendly jam after the break, each week.
MUSIC THEORY FOR BETTER IMPROVISING with Barry Turner
WEDNESDAYS from 1:00-3:00pm
Improve your ad lib solos by diving into some music theory. You are welcome to attend just one, or all of these workshops, depending on your interest and availability. This is what you can expect:
Wed July 9th – Notes in treble and bass clef, key signatures and Major Scales
Wed July 16th - Diatonic Triads, Arpeggios and Basic Progressions
Wed July 23rd - Pentatonic scales, Modes, Diatonic 77th and more progressions
Wed July 30th - Relative minor, Minor Scales and Minor Progressions
You’ll bring this theory to life, so bring your musical instrument, along. All instruments are welcome.
*Please register by email, to info@friendsofmusic.ca Let us know which instrument you’ll bring, which weeks you’ll attend and your previous music theory experience
Summer Tune-Up with Nick La Riviere
THURSDAYS from 1:00-3:00pm
Thurs July 10th from 1-3pm Back to the Sixties
Thurs July 17th from 1-3pm Sing-a-long with Elvis
Thurs July 24th from 1-3pm Sing-a-long to the Beatles
Thurs July 31st from 1-3pm FOM goes Country
This group includes a non-auditioned chorus and a rhythm section. Singers, drummers, guitarists, bass players, piano players & really, any instrumentalist or singers are welcome, whether you play what’s written or play by ear. This is a low-key group that welcomes all skill levels. This is a great chance to meet new people.
School Of Rock with Chey Hjelt
THURSDAYS from 3:00-5:00pm
past offerings: 2024 summer programs
Jazz Ukulele with Avram McCagherty
Wed July 10th only, from 10:00am-12:00pm
This 2-hour workshop, will appeal to the more advanced ukulele player or any ukulele player, looking for a bit of a challenge. We’ll be playing common Jazz Standards, to give you the opportunity to play around with some of the more sophisticated chords. This is not an improv class.
Slow Pitch Ukulele with Avram McCagherty
Wednesday July 17 & 24, from 10:30am-12:00pm
*Performances Wed July 31, 12:30-1:15pm at 1475 Fort St. & Fri Aug 9th 12:30-1:15 1230 at Styles St.**
This group will take all the folks from the comfort of ukulele lessons and transition you into confident, performing Ukulelians. This class is open to beginner or intermediate ukulele players, as well as our supportive, performing Ukulelians, who are looking for a chill performance experience. The play-list for these two ukulele classes will be distributed on Wed July 10th from the repertoire usually used by the folks taking Beginner Ukulele Lessons. We will massage and polish some of these easier, laid back, gems to perform at two local BBQs. And yes, there will be barbeque for the musicians, too.
Group Keyboard Lessons with Joe Hatherill
WEDNESDAY JULY 10th, 17th, 24th, & 31st from 1:00-3:00pm
Is it too late for me to learn to play the piano? It is never too late! Take the first steps, this summer and find out just how fun playing the piano can be. This class could be the start of something really special. This summer we’ll bypass the method books and get to the fun stuff. If you find that playing the piano is your passion, then you will find a way to keep it going. Absolutely no musical experience required. If you do have musical experience, it will definitely come in handy.
Summer Tune-Up with Nick La Riviere
THURSDAYS from 1:00-3:00pm
Thurs July 4th from 1-3pm Back to the Sixties
Thurs July 11th from 1-3pm Sing-a-long with Elvis
Thurs July 18th from 1-3pm Sing-a-long to the Beatles
Thurs July 25th from 1-3pm FOM goes Country
This group includes a non-auditioned chorus and a rhythm section. Singers, drummers, guitarists, bass players, piano players & really, any instrumentalist or singers are welcome, whether you play what’s written or play by ear. This is a low-key group that welcomes all skill levels. This is a great chance to meet new people.
Become the Performer You Dream to Be!
~With Kara Flanagan & Piano Accompanist Jon Ziffle
ACTING FOR MUSICIANS
Starting in July – Every Friday for 4 weeks 12:00-2:00PM
What kind of performer do you dream to be? Acting gives you a skillset to create behaviors, intentions, and actions that can help transform your onstage performance. What is acting? Acting is the art of expressing the human experience onstage, using the actor’s body and voice as the instrument. During this summer course, you will learn acting techniques to help you create a more confident stage presence and curb your stage fright.
This course curriculum has been developed by UVic PhD candidate, Kara Flanagan as part of her doctoral research. FOM Music Society is very fortunate that Kara has agreed to make ‘Become the Performer you Dream to Be’, available to us as part of our Summer Programs this July 2024! Email info@friendsofmusic.ca to sign up.
july 2023 - summer programs
Summer Woodwind Clinic with our woodwind specialist, Joe Hatherill
TUESDAY JULY 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th – 10:30-12:30pm
Calling all Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone and oboe players! All levels of woodwind players are welcome to join in. This would be really useful to beginners, who are wanting to get a jump start on the September Beginner Band Lessons as well as experienced players looking for tips to improve their playing.
We’ll practice outdoors on the grass outside EMP Theatre, if the weather is nice (otherwise indoors at EMP Theatre)
What to bring: Your instrument. Some instruments available on loan.
Composing / Recording with Nick La Riviere
WEDNESDAY JULY 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th from 11:00-1:00pm
Work on recording demos of original songs! Participants with songs already composed can show them to the rest of the group, and together we’ll record them one instrument at a time to make a demo using Logic Pro. We can record guitars, piano, bass, and drums (or use synth drums in Logic if there isn’t a drummer in the group). Participants who don’t have original songs ready are still welcome – we can work together on the recordings, and where possible, incorporate your instrument in to the track. We can also work together to compose songs from scratch as a group, or fine tune ideas that people have already. These recordings will be shared with all group members, and you’ll be able to download them from home.
What to bring:
- Your instrument
- Headphones with a wire (not bluetooth headphones unless you can also connect them with a wire). If you don’t have headphones let us know and we’ll see if we can get some donated.
Summer Tune-Up with Nick La Riviere
WEDNESDAYS from 1:00-3:00pm
Wed July 5th from 1-3pm Back to the Sixties
Wed July 12th from 1-3pm Sing-a-long with Elvis
Wed July 19th from 1-3pm Sing-a-long to the Beatles
Wed July 26 from 1-3pm FOM goes Country
This group includes a non-auditioned chorus and a rhythm section. Singers, drummers, guitarists, bass players, piano players & really, any instrumentalist or singers are welcome, whether you play what’s written or play by ear. This is a low-key group that welcomes all skill levels. This is a great chance to meet new people.
For current news, updates and latest FOM program calendar see our bi-monthly issue of ‘Get the Beat’ Newsletter
past summer programs - july 2021
Summer Woodwind Clinic with our woodwind specialist, Joe Hatherill
Mondays in July from 2-4pm
The woodwind clinic will be outdoors if COVID Safety protocols keep us from meeting indoors.
Calling all flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone and oboe players! All levels of woodwind players are welcome to join in. This would be really useful to beginners who are wanting to get a jump start on the September Beginner Band Lessons as well as experienced players looking for tips to improve their playing.
Songwriters’ Circle with Steve Fissel
Mondays in July from 4-6pm
Get your creative on for this acoustic experience. You’ve got something to share, and music might just be how you’ll do it. There will be opportunities to share your original material, work on new material, inspire others, be inspired, collaborate and learn a little along the way. This is open to those who write melody or lyrics, those who play instruments or sing, and for complete newbies. Steve will make it work.
Summer Tune-Up with Nick La Riviere
Tues July 6th from 1-3pm Back to the Sixties
Wed July 7 from 1-3pm Sing-a-long with Elvis
Wed July 14th from 1-3pm Sing-a-long to the Beatles
Wed July 21 from 1-3pm FOM goes Country
This group includes a non-auditioned chorus and a rhythm section. Singers, drummers, guitarists, bass players, piano players and really any instrumentalist or singers are welcome, whether you play what’s written or play by ear. This is a low-key group that welcomes all skill levels, and it’s a great chance to meet new people. We hope that wind instruments will be welcome, but that is dependent on Island Health mask rules in place in July.
Brass Clinic with Nick La Riviere
3 classes only on Wed July 7th, 14th and 21st from 12-1 pm.
The brass clinic will be outdoors if COVID Safety protocols keep us from meeting indoors. Either way, this is an in-person experience.
You play trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone or tuba, and you want a chance to get together with other brass players. This clinic is all about you. All tips and hints will be relevant to brass players.
Summer Jazz Improv with Jon Van Ziffle
Thursdays in July, starting July 8th from 1-3 pm
This super chill Jazz Improv group will meet in person at EMP Theatre. You play your instrument, and you want to experiment with improv. This is a quieter group that will have minimal instruction, no printed music, and is heavily influenced by the blues. This group will not be the same without you. Give it a try.
