Pender Island Music Ensemble with Ben McConchie – Fall Session

Starting this September Ben McConchie will be facilitating two contemporary music ensembles at the Pender Islands school, designed for students who want to explore, create, and perform music from the 1940s to today. This after-school program will run on Thursdays and is open to a range of abilities, with participants grouped into two ensembles based on age and experience.

The program will focus on making music together—studying, rehearsing, and performing great contemporary songs, from jazz standards and classic rock to modern pop and indie. Along the way, students will dive into improvisation through chord–scale theory, refine their playing with practical techniques, and deepen their understanding through musical and lyrical analysis.

Students will be encouraged to bring their own creativity to the table by writing original songs for their ensembles. To support our work, participants will have access to a wide variety of instruments from the Ptarmigan Arts instrument bank, including drums, guitars, basses, keyboards, and more. The fall session will culminate in a special performance, giving students the chance to share their music with friends, family, and the community.

Whether you are a student who is already a confident musician or just getting started, these ensembles are a great opportunity to learn, collaborate, and perform in a supportive and fun environment. We look forward to building community by creating music together.