For Parents

2025/2026 Music Registration

This year's registration night will be Tuesday, September 11 at 6:15PM.
Music registration is for all students involved in music at Horton, whether in a timetabled music class or any extracurricular ensembles.
Please ensure that this form  is completed on or before that date.

Horton Music Department - FAQ

What is the Music Parents Association?
The Horton Music Parents Association is a group made up of ALL parents of students who participate in music at Horton High School. Parents are asked to donate approximately 10-15 hours over the course of the year to help support the running of this very busy, very important department. Although the school board and the school administration are both very supportive, they can only provide and do so much. The rest comes from fees, fundraising, and parent assistance. There are many opportunities to get involved to help support the program - either with time, talents, or finances. It’s worth it!
If volunteering isn't your thing, the HMPA does encourage a $100 donation in lieu of these volunteer hours. This can be paid in the same way as other music department fees.

Is Grade 9 Music a “band” class?
Well, it depends on which course you've registered for! In our “Band Instruments 9” course, we cover the units in the provincial curriculum, including performance, composition (just a little), listening/responding to music, and making connections between music and society. Much of this is done through playing our instruments, and it happens during regular class time. "Explore Music 9" is a course for those learners wishing to continue (or begin) their music education outside of a band setting, though the reading, creating, and playing music is also a required component of that course.

Is Music 10-12 a "band" class?
Yes, but also no. While we will be working with "traditional" band instruments, learners will also have the opportunity to explore other means of performance, such as, but not limited to, piano, guitar, voice, and/or drums. There will be a performance component, even if only for their peers, so learners should be aware of this when making any instrument selections. Music 10, 11, and 12 participants are also expected to join at least one extracurricular ensemble. If you feel you cannot make this happen, please speak directly to Ms. Mitchell.

I played the clarinet (or flute, trumpet, etc.) in middle school. Can I switch instruments in grade 9? I
t is recommended that you play an instrument that you have some experience with, since the course does not cover beginner-level music. Plenty of musicians are successful on a new instrument, but this is only if they can confidently read music and are willing to put in the extra practice time.

Is there a cost to being in music?
Yes. Whether you are taking a course in the timetable or are participating in one of our extracurricular ensembles, there is an annual $50 program fee. Although some of our offerings are public school courses, the HMPA is permitted to request a fee for the course. As these are instrumental courses, they go above and beyond what the AVRCE, as well as the Department of Education, are able to fund. With that being said, nobody is turned away. If the $50 fee is problematic for you, please contact the music director (Ms. Mitchell) directly, either in person or via email.

What about the instrument?
If you need to rent an instrument, the cost for the entire school year is $100. Those who register for music the following year are permitted to sign out their instrument during the summer.

Is Grade 9 Music (or other courses in the timetable, such as Music 10-12) the only option?
Not at all! If you wish to be involved in music at Horton, there are several extracurricular ensembles you can join. All of these groups rehearse outside of regular school hours, either before or after school: Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Vocal Ensemble.

I have a question you didn’t answer. Please feel free to contact the music director, Lyndsey Mitchell (lmitchell@gnspes.ca), and I will either answer your question or point you in the right direction!