Our Goal
Our goal is to provide a high-quality, inclusive music education that empowers students to express themselves creatively, perform with confidence, and engage meaningfully with their school, their classmates and their community. We believe music education builds strong individuals and stronger communities.
Our Vision
We envision a vibrant music program where:
- Every student feels welcomed, valued, and supported
- Musical excellence and personal growth go hand in hand
- Students use music as a voice for expression, connection, and leadership
- Learning extends beyond the classroom through authentic performance experiences, guest artists and field trips
Our Values
Community & Belonging
Music is a team activity. We value collaboration, respect, and mutual support.
Excellence & Growth
We encourage students to strive for their personal best through effort, reflection, discipline and practice.
Creativity & Expression
Students are encouraged to explore, create, and take artistic risks in a supportive environment.
Equity & Inclusion
All students deserve access to meaningful music-making, regardless of background or experience.
Leadership & Responsibility
Music students lead by example through commitment, professionalism, and service.
Arts Westmount Music:
Do you love to sing or play an instrument? The Arts West Music Program is a special, audition-based program for students who are passionate about music and performing.
In this program, you’ll build your skills in performance, composition, teamwork, and leadership—all in a fun, creative, and supportive environment. You’ll also take part in exciting performances, workshops with professional musicians, and unique field trip experiences.
Arts West Music students grow as musicians, make lasting friendships, and create unforgettable memories—skills and experiences that will benefit them no matter what they choose to do in the future.
Arts West Instrumental Grades 9 - 12
Course Codes: AMI1OM, AMI2OM, AMI3MM, AMI4MM
Arts West Vocal Music Grades 9 - 12
Course Codes: AMV1OM, AMV2OM, AMV3MM, AMV4MM
If you are interested in auditioning for the Arts West Music program, please view the application requirements by clicking HERE
Performance Opportunities
Performance is at the heart of our program. Students regularly share their music through:
- School concerts and assemblies
- WinterFest and SpringFest performances at the Vaughan City Playhouse
- Community events and outreach performances
- Pops concerts
- Coffee House/talent concerts
- Festivals, clinics, and adjudicated events
- Tours and special performance opportunities (when available)
These experiences help students showcase their work, build confidence, stage presence, musicianship and pride in their accomplishments while representing their school with excellence.
Co-Curricular Opportunities
Beyond the classroom, students can extend their learning and enjoyment of music through a variety of co-curricular activities, which include:
- Grade 9 band
- Westmount Symphonic Winds
- Westmount Singers (Choir)
- Small ensembles
- Jazz bands, chamber groups, and ensembles
- Music Council
- Travel
- Annual Fall Music Retreat in Muskoka
- student-led ensembles
- Workshops with guest artists, composers and clinicians
- Composition, arranging, and digital music production and music technology projects
Participation in co-curricular music fosters commitment, friendship, and a deeper connection to school life.
Student Leadership & Community Engagement
Music students are leaders in our school. Through section leadership, peer mentoring, ensemble leadership roles, and event organization, students develop:
- Communication and teamwork skills
- Confidence and accountability
- The ability to support and inspire others
Our program also values community engagement. Students use music to connect with the wider community, celebrating shared experiences and contributing positively through performances and partnerships.
Pathways Beyond High School
Music education opens doors to a wide range of post-secondary opportunities and careers. Our graduates pursue paths such as:
- University and college music programs (performance, education, composition, music technology)
- Arts administration and community arts leadership
- Sound engineering and design/media
- Sound production
- Arts-related fields such as music therapy, business, and communications
- STEM
- Medicine
- Music publishing
- Media Relations
- Law
- Accounting
- Engineering
- Marketing
- Composition
- Film and video game scoring
- Journalism
- Freelance Performance and workshopping
Just as importantly, students leave our program with transferable skills—discipline, creativity, collaboration, and confidence—that are valued in every career pathway.
Why Be a Music Student?
Being a music student means:
- Fun!
- Multiple credits each year
- Belonging to a supportive, creative community
- Developing skills that last a lifetime
- Expressing yourself through performance and creativity
- Representing your school with pride
- Creating memories, friendships, and experiences you will carry with you long after graduation
- Performances, competitions, concerts and field trips
- Guest artists
We are proud of our music students and the energy, leadership, and heart they bring to our school. We invite you to join us and become part of something truly special.
Courses
Open Instrumental Music Grades 9 - 12
Course Codes: AMI1O, AMI2O, AMI3M, AMI4M
Open Vocal Music Grades 9 - 12
Course Codes: AMV1O, AMV2O, AMV3M, AMV4M
Repertoire (Band and Choir) Grades 9 - 12
Course Codes:
Band: AMR1O1, AMR2O1, AMR3MM, AMR4MM
Choir: AMR1O2, AMR2O2, AMR3M2, AMR4M2
*It is highly recommended and encouraged that ALL students in grades 10 through 12 take both an AMI and the AMR course.Arts students will take AMR each year of the program.The full year Repertoire course runs co-requisitely with the semester based AMI course and allows students to further their musical knowledge/skill while earning 9 credits each year!