Program

2025-2026 Program

Please read this information about the our program for the 2025-2026 season carefully. This page has everything you need to know to make this an amazing year of musical growth!

Quick links: Overview | New students | Calendar | Schedule | Tuition | Location | Absences, illness, notices

Program overview

We have two programs that run in parallel:

• YAPCA chamber program - These are small ensembles playing well-known works from the classical repertoire - quartets, trios, etc. - with expert coaching.
• Young Artists Orchestra (YAO) - This introductory orchestral experience is intended to introduce young musicians to the skills of playing in an orchestra in order to prepare them to play in larger advanced orchestras.

The program to which your student is assigned depends on their level of advancement and interest. Students find that both programs are fun, a great way to meet new like-minded friends, and of course, to advance their musical skills. Please discuss with either of the music directors if you have questions about your child’s assignment.

New to YAPCA?

If you are thinking about joining YAPCA or want to see if it’s a good fit for you, our rough guidelines are:

• Strings - It’s best if you have a a private teacher and have been studying long enough to read music fairly well. Either way, we will set up a meeting either in person or by Zoom to hear you play a little bit. This will help get you in the perfect section.
• Winds - You probably need to be playing at least a year to get the most out of YAPCA. If you’ve been playing between 1-2 years, we will schedule a meeting to check where you are and possibly hear a little of your playing.

2025-2026 calendar

We divide the year into two terms - a Fall term and Winter term. Please mark your personal calendars so that you do not miss a rehearsal or concert.

Fall term

• Weekly sessions every Wednesday evening - Begins September 17, 2025 through November 25, 2025.
• Winter Concert: The Winter Concert will be held on December 3, 2025.

Winter term

• Weekly sessions resume on Wednesday evenings - January 7, 2026 through March 11, 2026. No rehearsals during March break; but we will have one final rehearsal on March 25, 2026.
• March Break: No rehearsals on March 18, 2026.
• Spring Concert: The Spring Concert will be held on April 1, 2026.

Schedule

The schedule for the 2025-2026 rehearsals:

• 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM - orchestra and chamber rehearsals
• 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM - recital, chamber music rehearsals continue for students in the chamber program

Please arrive for rehearsals early enough to unpack your instrument, tune and organize your music so that we can maximize our learning and playing together. Whether you are in the chamber music rehearsals in the second half of the evening, please stay for the recital each week. It’s an opportunity to support all of the players.

Annual Tuition for the 2025-2026 season

• Orchestra only - $450
• Orchestra and 1 chamber music class - $840
• 2 chamber music classes - $960
• 1 chamber music class only - $600

A $20 deduction applies for additional siblings.

An “early bird” discount on tuition applies until August 1:

• Orchestra only - $430
• Orchestra and 1 chamber music class - $810
• 2 chamber music classes - $920
• 1 chamber music class only - $570

Tuition may be paid via e-transfer to [email protected]. If you prefer to pay by personal cheque, please bring a cheque written out to “Young Artists Pre-College Academy” on the day of the first rehearsal. Please contact us at [email protected] about a fee reduction if you have multiple children participating.

Tuition is non-refundable after September 1.

Location

Our rehearsals will be help at Central Secondary School located at 509 Waterloo Street in London. Traffic is often heavy at this hour; so give yourself a few extra minutes the first few rehearsals, especially the first, so that you arrive on time.

Absences, illness and notification

Your participation is critical to maintaining artistic excellence. Your colleagues are depending on you. Please do not miss rehearsals for upcoming school examinations; instead, try to plan your schedule enough in advance that this sort of absence is not necessary. Let this sort of time-management exercise be your superpower!

On the other hand, if you are ill, please do not come to rehearsal. It’s not worth the risk of infecting your colleagues who are playing alongside you in close quarters.

You are free to wear a respiratory face mask for COVID-19 risk mitigation; but it is not required.

If you must miss a rehearsal or concert for any reason, you must let us know by emailing us at [email protected]. Do not simply tell your coach or conductor “I’m not going to be here in two weeks.” By emailing, you create a record and a way for us to let your coach or conductor know.