Music Technology
The Music Technology Programs at Vancouver Conservatory of Music provide hands-on professional training in music production, recording, mixing, mastering, composition, and creative audio technology. Students develop practical skills using industry-standard software and studio tools while learning modern production techniques, sound design, arrangement, and professional creative workflow for today’s music and media industries.
In collaboration with Pars Studio, selected courses may provide students with access to a professional studio environment and industry-standard recording equipment, allowing them to gain practical experience in real-world music production, recording, and audio engineering settings. This professional studio experience is designed to help students develop both technical confidence and creative workflow skills within a modern recording and production environment.
Music Production with Logic Pro
- Prerequisite : Basic music knowledge or songwriting interest
- Duration : 60 minutes
- Class size : Private, in-person & online
- Age Range : All
- Specification : Personalized training in Logic Pro with certification
Course description
The Music Production with Logic Pro course at Vancouver Conservatory of Music is designed to provide students with comprehensive professional training in modern music production, digital audio technology, and creative studio workflow using Logic Pro. This course introduces students to the technical, musical, and creative foundations required for contemporary music production in professional studio environments.
Students will develop practical skills in audio recording, MIDI programming, virtual instruments, sound design, editing, arrangement, mixing, basic mastering, and project organization while working with industry-standard production techniques and workflows. The course also explores essential concepts in signal flow, audio processing, EQ, compression, spatial effects, automation, and modern production aesthetics across various musical styles and media applications.
Through hands-on projects and guided studio exercises, students will learn how to produce complete musical works from initial composition and arrangement to final production and export. Emphasis is placed on developing critical listening skills, efficient workflow management, technical accuracy, and artistic creativity within a professional digital production environment.
Students may also gain experience working with professional studio hardware, microphones, audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, and recording systems in collaboration with Pars Studio, allowing them to experience real-world production practices and contemporary recording techniques.
This course is suitable for aspiring music producers, composers, songwriters, performers, content creators, and students interested in pursuing further studies or careers in music production, audio engineering, film scoring, media composition, and contemporary music technology.
Pianokids 1
At the end of this course, children will be playing simple pieces in white keys in A minor and C major scales. Level 1 teaches children foundational musical concepts including time values, pitches, rhythmic precision, notation, and dynamics, while encouraging the development of proper finger, arm, and body positions.
▼ Read MorePianokids 2
Building on the concepts explored in Level 1, Level 2 aims to enhance students’ confidence and improve their technique. Students receive instruction in the fundamentals of piano play and study score reading, proper pedal use, phrasing, and other concepts and techniques.
The repertoire is drawn from a variety of styles, from highly lyrical works to rhythmic pieces. Homework is assigned each week, with parents tracking their child’s progress.
Prerequisite: Pianokids 1, or permission of the instructor.
Pianokids 3
Level 3 studies deepen the link between theory and practice by further developing students’ awareness of expression, contrast, and tone.
Prerequisite: Pianokids 2, or permission of the instructor.
Mixing & Mastering
- Prerequisite : Familiarity with music theory, and musical instruments recommended
- Duration : 60 minutes
- Class size : Private, in-person & online
- Age Range : All
- Specification : Personalized training in mixing, mastering with certification
Course description
The Mixing & Mastering Program at Vancouver Conservatory of Music provides students with focused professional training in modern mixing, mastering, and post-production techniques within a creative and technically refined learning environment. The program is designed to develop critical listening abilities, artistic decision-making, sonic balance, and professional workflow skills required for contemporary music production and commercial audio release standards.
Students receive comprehensive instruction in mixing and mastering methodologies, including equalization, compression, dynamic control, stereo imaging, spatial processing, automation, tonal shaping, frequency balance, loudness optimization, vocal mixing, mastering chains, and final audio preparation for streaming and digital distribution platforms. Emphasis is placed on developing both technical precision and artistic sensitivity while learning how to create clear, balanced, and commercially competitive productions across multiple musical genres.
The curriculum includes practical training using industry-standard digital audio workstations, professional audio plugins, analog-style processing tools, and contemporary mixing and mastering workflows. Students learn session organization, mix preparation, gain staging, reference analysis, critical listening, sonic consistency, and advanced musical interpretation through guided projects and real-world production applications.
Special attention is given to modern production aesthetics, dynamic balance, clarity, depth, stereo field management, tonal refinement, and mastering strategies appropriate for today’s digital music industry. Students also develop an understanding of professional workflow, revision management, client communication, and efficient project organization within professional creative environments.
The program is available through flexible study formats, including intensive short-term courses, certificate pathways, and long-term professional development options depending on the student’s experience level and educational goals. Flexible scheduling options, including in-person, online, hybrid, part-time, and individualized instruction formats, allow students to pursue professional mixing and mastering education while accommodating academic, artistic, and personal commitments.
The Mixing & Mastering Program is designed for music producers, composers, performers, independent artists, content creators, and aspiring mixing and mastering professionals seeking comprehensive training in contemporary audio post-production. Through a balance of artistic development, technical training, and practical application, students build the professional skills necessary for modern music production and long-term creative growth.
Preliminary 1
At the end of this course, students will be playing simple pieces in white keys in A minor and C major scales with a focus on sight-reading skills.
▼ Read MoreLevel 1 teaches students foundational musical concepts, including time values, pitches, rhythmic precision, notation, and dynamics, while encouraging the development of proper finger, arm, and body positions with a faster pace and using different methods compared with Pianokids.
Preliminary 2
Building on the concepts explored in Level 1, Level 2 aims to enhance students’ confidence and improve their technique. Students receive instruction in the fundamentals of piano play and study score reading, proper pedal use, phrasing, and other concepts and techniques.
The virtues of practice, discipline, posture, and technique are conveyed in a fun, upbeat environment. The repertoire is drawn from a variety of styles, from highly lyrical works to rhythmic pieces.
Prerequisite: Preliminary 1, or permission of the instructor.
Preliminary 3
Level 3 studies deepen the link between theory and practice by further developing students’ awareness of dynamics, articulation, and tone quality. Particular attention is paid to basic musicianship and body awareness.
Prerequisite: Preliminary 2, or permission of the instructor.
Orchestration & Score Preparation with Sibelius
- Prerequisite : Familiarity with musical instruments and basic music theory
- Duration : 60 minutes
- Class size : Private, in-person & online
- Age Range : All
- Specification : Personalized course with certification
Course description
The Sibelius Score Preparation & Music Notation course at Vancouver Conservatory of Music provides students with professional training in music notation, digital score preparation, and workflow techniques using Sibelius software. Students learn how to create, edit, format, and prepare professional-quality scores and performance parts for solo instruments, ensembles, orchestras, film music, and commercial music projects.
The curriculum focuses on note input, score formatting, engraving standards, layout management, part extraction, articulation and dynamic placement, playback settings, MusicXML integration, and publishing-ready score presentation. Through practical projects and hands-on training, students develop efficient workflow skills and professional notation practices aligned with modern international music publishing standards.
The VCM piano program provides students with world-class and personalized musical training, from elementary through to advanced levels. After completing each level, students can register for the VCM piano exam to receive constructive feedback from professional instructors and earn a VCM piano certificate.
▼ Read MoreThe program at the Vancouver Conservatory of Music encompasses three main areas:
Repertoire
• Each level includes several personalized pieces representing a variety of musical styles and historical periods.
• Personalized pieces selected based on psychological and cultural preferences and moods.
Improvisation, Etudes, and Technics
• Improvisation is designed to empower the students’ brain output similar to learning speaking and writing.
• Technical requirements are designed to support the demands of the repertoire for each level.
• Technical tests include scales, chords, and arpeggios.
• Etudes develop technical skills within a musical context.
Musicianship Skills
• A thoughtful and consistent approach to the development of ear training and sight-reading provides students with a solid foundation for independent creative musical explorations.
• Musicianship skills are developed to support the goals and requirements of both theoretical understanding and musical performance.
