New Instructional Format

As of the 2024-2025 school year, the High Voltage Music Program has readjusted its instructional format.

We believe our students will learn more efficiently in a smaller group environment while gaining confidence, contributing to a greater experience when performing later.

We have chosen quality over quantity.

Our classes are now limited in size, which gives each student more time for instruction. For that reason, we offer more than one class per school running simultaneously, and, depending on the school’s need and budget, it could be two or more classes twice a week for 1 hour and 45 minutes each.

Essentially, we will produce one band per classroom, giving each band undivided attention. Each new student who joins and all current students will have a secured spot in the coming year. We are working to keep band members together throughout their High Voltage years, which will increase their annual growth.

New students are welcome to join the program to fill in the open spots of outgoing Seniors or students who have relocated. This change was also created so the instructor could teach the new student one-on-one during class. The instrument the new students will play will depend on the open instrument spot, including electric guitar, bass, drums, or vocals. Once they have learned the fundamentals of that instrument and basic chords and have further instruction, they will integrate with their new band. Due to limited open spots, students with some music knowledge or who already play an instrument will be prioritized on the waiting list.

In the past, there would be 12-15 students per class. We found it challenging to teach several instruments simultaneously, be it two new guitar students, three drummers etc. Also, if 2 or 3 bands were created out of one classroom, those bands would have to take turns practicing, which meant the other band(s) would have to wait for their turn, and all of them would have limited time to practice. Now, the band is set up and is ready to learn, practice and play without waiting.

We would fast-track the new students through so they could form bands and start learning together, but what worked in the past is not the direction we want to continue. We felt limited in having enough time to teach our students more skills, which would allow them to play songs closer to the original without having to edit or simplify the more technical parts of a song as we have had to do. We also feel that more time with their instructor will give the students more of a chance to start writing originals after their first or second year.

We feel these changes are a positive path for better learning, preparation, confidence building, and performance, and will stay with our students through their years in High Voltage and beyond.