Holland College’s School of Performing Arts, in partnership with Berklee College of Music and Music PEI, will host the first annual Popular Music Performance Conference this fall, an event that will welcome high school students and staff from across the Island to the Prince of Wales Campus for the day on Monday, September 25.

The conference is an opportunity for students who are taking the new Popular Music Performance courses that are being offered to Grades 10, 11, and 12 to join students in the two-year Music Performance program at Holland College for a day of workshops and performances.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

9 a.m. Berklee and SoPA faculty (+ SoPA students) arrive at Florence Simmons Performance Hall

9:30 a.m. High School music students and teachers arrive to the Florence Simmons

9:35 a.m. Welcome/Opening Remarks

9:40 a.m. Berklee/Holland College Faculty Performance

10 a.m. Workshop on Stage Presence/Professional Performance, led by Sean Skeete from Berklee

10:50 a.m. Panel Discussion on Successful Showcasing for Industry, delivered by Music PEI industry delegates

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. High School students tour SoPA Garage, then LUNCH at Noon in Room 21W

12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Presentation/Discussion on “Bringing Popular Music to the High School Classroom”, led by Sean Skeete and Jhonson Francois from Berklee, Instructors Only in Room 21C

12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Presentation/Discussion on Berklee-SoPA Partnership, led by SoPA staff Students Only in Room 21W

2 - 4 p.m. High School students and teachers return to the hall for an official Music PEI Showcase event. Various PEI-based musicians will perform short sets for industry delegates.