CONSERVATORY of MUSIC

reinhard berg

PRIVATE LESSONS | PIANO

conservatory instructor
I have no rigid teaching programme. The content of lessons and classes evolves with the teacher-student relationship and depends on the student's interests and abilities. There is always an emphasis on the creative aspect of music, which can involve composition or improvisation, the latter in both popular and classical styles. Also often emphasized is playing by ear, which often expands to include sight singing.

About

Reinhard Berg started with accordion and went on to organ and piano and composition. In 1968 he received a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service which made possible three years of study in Cologne, Freiburg (Musikhochschule and University), and Darmstadt (Internationale Ferienkurse). 1971-74 were spent at the University of California, San Diego. Teachers included Violet Archer, Sandra Munn, Wolfgang Fortner, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Kenneth Gaburo, and Pauline Oliveros.

In 1976 he began as instructor at Alberta College Conservatory of Music; in the same year he founded the improvisation ensemble Otherwise. He began as organist at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in 1961 and still holds that post. There have been many performances and concerts over the years; a highlight perhaps were two European concert tours in 2007 and 2009.

Lessons

Reinhard offers private piano lessons online and in-person at his private studio in the Strathcona area. He teaches classical, improvisation, composition, and theory for all ages from beginner to advanced levels.

Request lessons with Reinhard to discuss availability and rates for private lessons.

Workshops

Reinhard Berg teaches two online music appreciation workshops through his private studio:

1. Wagner's Ring, and
2. What Makes Music Tick

In August 2023, the Wagner's Ring workshop completed the entire 16 hour Ring cycle, actually looking at every page of the score over 4 years. After a wrapping-up session or two, this group will be looking at material to study next -- another Wagner opus, or another composer. It would be a good time to join this group in the Fall 2023!

What Makes Music Tick will start again in the Fall 2023 with three introductory sessions. This workshop inspects a variety of music from a variety of angles, starting with looking at how music structures time. He uses a Schenkerian/layered approach to investigate questions like symmetry/assymetry; music/poetry et alia. It would be a good time to join this group in the Fall 2023!

The cost of these workshops is $20; the scheduling would be decided on by consensus, including deciding how many workshops to hold per three-month period or so. They will be held online, probably on ZOOM or the like.

For more information, contact Reinhard Berg directly at ravonberg@gmail.com

Find recordings of past workshops on his YouTube Channel.

Education

  • Bachelor of Music, University of Alberta, 1968
  • Diploma, Musikhochschule Freiburg, 1971
  • Master of Arts, University of California, San Diego, 1975

Performances / compositions / recordings

  • "variations, quodlibets, arrangements for piano"
  • "Selected Works for organ and piano"
  • "Forttasten"; organ compositions and improvisations

CDs are available privately from Reinhard

Professional associations and memberships

  • Association of Independent Music Teachers at Alberta College
  • New Music Edmonton
  • Canadian Music Centre
  • Boreal ElectroAcoustic Music Society
  • Royal Canadian College of Organists
  • Alpine Club of Canada
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