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Book a School Program

Learn through the lens of music with a unique field trip experience at Canada's home for music!

National Music Centre’s school programs work towards the mission of amplifying the love, sharing, and understanding of music in Canada. Our hands-on programs are based on Alberta’s K-12 curriculum and programs of study. Featuring items from NMC’s rare collection, programs are led by talented musician educators who will make concepts come to life.

We are excited to introduce a range of new programs of varying lengths, activities, and curriculum connections. This means you can select the perfect visit that aligns perfectly with your in-classroom teaching!

Book your program today

For more information, please email education@nmc.ca.


Packages

The Ultimate Experience

Age Group: Grades 2-6
Cost: $705 +GST per class of 30*
Length: 4.5 hours

*The Ultimate Experience can host a minimum of 30 students and a maximum of 120.

✓ INCLUDES ✗ DOES NOT INCLUDE
Your own NMC Educator who will greet you, lead your visit, answer questions, and interpret artifacts. A private Behind-The-Glass Tour guided by one of our talented educators.

*Available exclusively with ‘The Tour Experience’

Self-guided exploration of the museum galleries. Music Odyssey scavenger hunt to be completed during self-guided exploration of the museum galleries.

*Add-on available for an additional $45

Safe storage of your belongings while you explore.
A classroom program of your choice.

*Choose from options below

An in-gallery, educator-led, hands-on activity of your choice.

*Choose from options below

A live demonstration of our 1924 Kimball Theatre Organ performed by one of our talented educators.
A 30-minute lunch break in our provided lunchroom.

The Classroom Experience

Age Group: Grades 2-6
Cost: $600+GST per class of 30*
Length: 4 hours

*The Classroom Experience can host a minimum of 30 students and a maximum of 120.

✓ INCLUDES ✗ DOES NOT INCLUDE
Your own NMC Educator who will greet you, lead your visit, answer questions, and interpret artifacts. A private Behind-The-Glass Tour guided by one of our talented educators.

*Available exclusively with ‘The Tour Experience’

Self-guided exploration of the museum galleries. Music Odyssey scavenger hunt to be completed during self-guided exploration of the museum galleries.

*Add-on available for an additional $45

Safe storage of your belongings while you explore. A live demonstration of our 1924 Kimball Theatre Organ performed by one of our talented educators.

*Available with ‘The Ultimate Experience’

A classroom program of your choice.

*Choose from options below

An in-gallery, educator-led, hands-on activity of your choice.

*Choose from options below

A 30-minute lunch break in our provided lunchroom.

The Mini Classroom Experience

Age Group: Recommended for Grades K-6
Cost: $510+GST per class of 30*
Length: 2.5 hours

*The Mini-Classroom Experience can host a minimum of 15 students and a maximum of 60 students.

✓ INCLUDES ✗ DOES NOT INCLUDE
Your own NMC Educator who will greet you, lead your visit, answer questions, and interpret artifacts. A private Behind-The-Glass Tour guided by one of our talented educators.

*Available exclusively with ‘The Tour Experience’

Self-guided exploration of the museum galleries. Music Odyssey scavenger hunt to be completed during self-guided exploration of the museum galleries.

*Add-on available for an additional $45

Safe storage of your belongings while you explore. A live demonstration of our 1924 Kimball Theatre Organ performed by one of our talented educators.

*Add-on available for $15 and 30 minutes added

A shortened classroom program of your choice.

*Choose from options below

A 30-minute lunch break in our provided lunchroom.

*Add-on available for $60 and 30 minutes added

An in-gallery, educator-led, hands-on activity of your choice.

*Choose from options below

The Gallery Experience

Age Group: Grades K-6
Cost: $450+GST per class of 30*
Length: 2.5 hours

*The Gallery Experience can host a minimum of 15 students and a maximum of 90 students.

✓ INCLUDES ✗ DOES NOT INCLUDE
Your own NMC Educator host who will greet you, lead your visit, answer questions, and interpret artifacts. A private Behind-The-Glass Tour guided by one of our talented educators.

*Available exclusively with ‘The Tour Experience’

Self-guided exploration of the museum galleries. Music Odyssey scavenger hunt to be completed during self-guided exploration of the museum galleries.

*Add-on available for an additional $45

Safe storage of your belongings while you explore. A live demonstration of our 1924 Kimball Theatre Organ performed by one of our talented educators.

*Add-on available for $15 and 30 minutes added

An in-gallery, educator-led, hands-on activity of your choice.

*Choose from options below

A 30-minute lunch break in our provided lunchroom.

*Add-on available for $60 and 30 minutes added

A classroom program of your choice.

The Self-Guided Experience

Age Group: Grades 7 and up
Cost: $400+GST per class of 30*
Length: Recommended 2.5 hours

*The Self-Guided Experience can host a maximum of 120 students.

✓ INCLUDES ✗ DOES NOT INCLUDE
Your own NMC Educator who will greet you, lead your visit, answer questions, and interpret artifacts. A private Behind-The-Glass Tour guided by one of our talented educators.

*Available exclusively with ‘The Tour Experience’

Self-guided exploration of the museum galleries. Music Odyssey scavenger hunt to be completed during self-guided exploration of the museum galleries.

*Add-on available for an additional $45

Safe storage of your belongings while you explore. A live demonstration of our 1924 Kimball Theatre Organ performed by one of our talented educators.

*Add-on available for an additional $150

A 30-minute lunch break in our provided lunchroom.

*Add-on available for $60 and 30 minutes added

A classroom program of your choice.
An in-gallery, educator-led, hands-on activity of your choice.
Music Industry 101: Exploring the Professional Artist Hats educational presentation for aspiring musicians.

*Add-on available for an additional $150

The Tour Experience

Age Group: Grades 7 and up
Cost: $540+GST per class of 30*
Length: 1-2.5 hours (recommended 2.5 hours)

*The Tour Experience can host a maximum of 60 students.

✓ INCLUDES ✗ DOES NOT INCLUDE
Your own NMC Educator who will greet you, lead your visit, answer questions, and interpret artifacts. Music Odyssey scavenger hunt to be completed during self-guided exploration of the museum galleries.

*Add-on available for an additional $45

Self-guided exploration of the museum galleries. A live demonstration of our 1924 Kimball Theatre Organ performed by one of our talented educators.

*Add-on available for an additional $150

Safe storage of your belongings while you explore. A 30-minute lunch break in our provided lunchroom.

*Add-on available for $60 and 30 minutes added

A private Behind-The-Glass Tour guided by one of our talented educators. A classroom program of your choice.
An in-gallery, educator-led, hands-on activity of your choice.
Music Industry 101: Exploring the Professional Artist Hats educational presentation for aspiring musicians.

*Add-on available for an additional $150


Add-ons

Additional Persons

$13.50 +GST (per added person)*

*Over 20, under 30

Kimball Theatre Organ

Age Group: All
Location: Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre
Cost: $150 +GST (per group of up to 60 students)*
Length: 30 minutes – to be added to the time of your stay

No visit to Studio Bell is complete until you’ve seen and heard the famed Kimball Theatre Organ. Join us for an exclusive demonstration of this iconic instrument, where you’ll discover the unique functions of this instrument whilst exploring the history of sound in cinema! Finally, let NMC’s skilled educators take you on a journey through some classic songs from film and television.

*Kimball price extends to each group of 60 to a maximum of 120.

Music Odyssey

Age Group: All
Location: Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre
Cost: $90 +GST per group of 30 students
Length: 45-60 minutes (included within the time of your visit)

Embark on a Music Odyssey! Take your National Music Centre field trip to the next level with an interactive scavenger hunt that brings music and art to life. As students explore the museum, they’ll uncover the fascinating world of musical instruments, historical artifacts, and legendary artists across different eras. Engaging challenges and creative discoveries await at every turn, with prizes for the top-scoring team. Plus, students will capture unforgettable moments with photos to share with classmates, teachers, family, and friends, making their experience one to remember!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How does this scavenger hunt work? What does it look like?
At least one participant per team (teacher, parent chaperone, or student, if permitted) must bring a fully charged phone with the Goosechase app downloaded. This free app does not require an account to use. To maximize exploration time, we recommend forming teams of no more than five students before your visit. On the day of your visit, your NMC educator will provide instructions on how to use the app and share the join code to access the experience.

How does my team win?
This is a points-based challenge, which means take your time and focus on creating the best photo, video and text submissions. The team that has the most points by the end of your visit will win prizes!

Are there bonus points?
Your NMC educators will be watching your submissions live, commenting on them and awarding bonus points for funny and clever entries.

Who can play Music Odyssey?
Everyone! This scavenger hunt is customized for all ages, so whether you’re bringing Grade 1 or Grade 12 students, everyone can participate and have fun!

Can this scavenger hunt tie in curriculum connections and learning objectives?
Absolutely! Our team is happy to work with teachers ahead of time to customize challenges that connect to curriculum topics and learning goals. Please email us at education@nmc.ca for more information.

Music Industry 101: Exploring The Professional Artist Hats

Age Group: Grades 10-12 and College/University*
Location: Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre
Cost: $150 +GST per group*
Length: 60-90 minutes

NOTE: Must be booked with either the Tour Experience or Self-Guided Experience

Join this educational presentation designed for aspiring musicians! Tailored for students considering a career in music, this session explores the multifaceted roles artists play in the industry. From the art of song writing and dynamic live performances to the intricacies of recording, releasing music, and effective self-marketing, we delve into the diverse hats musicians must wear.

*This experience is intended for students participating in arts and music courses, accommodating 15-30 students at one time.

Find the Rhythm! Boom Whacker Jam-Along

Age Group: Recommended for Grades 2-4
Location: Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre
Cost: $30 +GST per group*
Length: 30 minutes — to be added to the time of your stay

Inspired by NMC’s Canadiana Jam-Along public program where attendees sing and strum along to a playlist, the Boom Whacker Jam-Along allows students to participate in a group jam using Boom Whackers. Students follow a colour-coded “chord sheet” and will identify rhythms and patterns with guidance from one of our educators. This fun classroom activity emphasizes teamwork and collaboration, a fun hands-on way to break-up the day’s explorations. No prior knowledge of playing a musical instrument or reading sheet music is required.

Curriculum Connections:

  • Students will understand that rhythms can be paired with melodies and that printed symbols show the direction of a melody.
  • Students will learn that musical beats can be grouped in different ways and that two or more melodies can exist in one song.
  • Positive attitudes toward music will be fostered in singing, listening, moving, reading music.

*This experience can accommodate up to 30 students at a time.


Classroom Program Options

Good Vibrations

Recommended for Grades 2-6

A classroom program that explores vibration, pitch, timbre, and volume through hands-on
instrument exploration.

  • Students will gain a clear understanding of vibration and its role in producing sound
  • Through kinetic exploration, students will learn how the speed of vibration affects pitch and the size of vibration influences volume
  • Students will discover four methods of energizing instruments (struck, pluck, air, and electric)
  • Exploring various musical instruments, students will understand how they control pitch and volume to create expressive music

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
Grade 2 Science

  • Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy
    - Materials are used to make objects; materials have unique properties
    - The purpose of an object influences the choice of materials used to produce it
  • Energy: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy
    - Sound behaves in various ways- Sound is produced by vibrations of objects.
    - Vibration is a rapid back-and-forth movement.
    - Sources of sound can be natural or human-made
    - Characteristics of sound (pitch, volume, duration)
    - Sound can travel through air, water, and some solids.
    - Properties of materials that affect the production and behaviour of sound

Words To Song

Recommended for grades 2–8

A classroom program that connects with the K-6 Language Arts curriculum. Also available for grades 7-8.

  • Students will learn how to make patterns out of words using rhyme, repetition, and syllables.
  • Students will leave with an understanding that music is built from patterns.
  • Students will understand ways to form lyrical or poetic patterns in songs.
  • Students will explore their own song-writing creativity.

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
Grade 2-4 English Language Arts and Literature

  • Distinguish syllables in words.
  • Identify various types of patterns that appear in poetry and music.
  • Participate in presentations as a respectful audience member.
  • Contribute to a variety of listening and speaking activities to build confidence in oral language skills.
  • Listen for changes in vocal emphasis in oral communications.
  • Develop communication skills through individual or group presentations.

Grade 5-6 English Language Arts and Literature

  • Experiment with creating lyric poetry.
  • Listen to, recite, or sing poetry.
  • Develop creative expression through the use of writing processes.
  • Create text that uses imagery, rhyme, dialogue, emphasis, or effect.

Hands-on Activity Options

Rhythm Nation

Recommended for Grades K-12

This hands-on in-gallery program is designed for students to have fun, express themselves through music, and develop essential skills like rhythm and coordination. Students will be introduced to two folk instruments – the djembe and the wooden spoon. Participants will gain cultural insights into these two folk instruments while having fun and expressing themselves through music.

  • Students will experiment with rhythm, tempo, and the call-and-response musical form
  • Students will explore creating both simple and complex patterns through interactive kinetic exploration
  • Students will learn about and build skills with active listening and groupwork

Draw What You Hear

Recommended for Grades 4-9

This hands-on in-gallery program merges art and music to explore the visualization of sounds. Students will discover how to associate colors, shapes, feelings, and words with sounds, instruments, and music.

  • Students will explore diverse approaches to visualize sound and rhythm
  • Students will uncover abstract methods of visualizing sound, fostering creative expression
  • Students will gain insights into concepts like timbre, enriching their understanding of sound's nuances

Frequently Asked Questions