📘 Music Publishing in the Digital Age: Learning, Sharing, Evolving

Reading time: 6 minutes

Initial launch was only 2 notebooks with internet linkage.

Behind every musical success lie high-quality educational tools — the result of years of research, experience, and passion. It is in this spirit that Marie-Josée Timperley and François Lessard, a dedicated creative couple and founders of Les Productions Largo, developed the Music Theory, Ear Training, and Dictation Workbooks (Cahiers de théorie, solfège et dictée musicale). 

Today, these workbooks are used by the Conservatoire de musique de la Montérégie and by several schools across Canada. The series stands as a model of innovation in music pedagogy — and as a living collaboration between the CMM and Les Productions Largo. 

A project born in the classroom 

The workbooks were first created at the Conservatoire de musique de la Montérégie, where Marie-Josée Timperley, a pianist and educator with over 30 years of teaching experience, was then a faculty member. 
“Our methods are designed to make music theory intuitive,” explains Louis Plouffe. “Students learn to hear what they read and to understand what they sing. That’s how musical instinct becomes true mastery.”

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“The first Theory Workbook, Level 1, was published in 2007,” she explains. “Since then, six levels have been released, presented in twelve books: six for theory and six for ear training and dictation.” 

Students of the Conservatoire were the first to test the method, providing valuable feedback that helped refine its structure and clarity. The approach is progressive, built upon decades of teaching practice and a keen observation of students’ real learning needs. 

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The series includes six (6) music theory and six (6) solfege and dictation notebooks.

Growing Reach 

Today, the collection is available at several retailers across Québec and Canada: Long & McQuade, COOP Vincent d’Indy, and Twigg Musique, as well as through the Conservatoire de musique de la Montérégie itself. 

But the creators are thinking further ahead. “I’m currently working on the English translation of the Ear Training and Dictation Workbook – Level 1,” notes Marie-Josée Timperley. “My goal is to translate all six levels to reach the English-speaking markets of Canada and the United States, as well as French-speaking audiences in Europe.” 

Music Publishing in the Digital Era 

Her partner, François Lessard, former Vice-President of IT Operations at Ivanhoé Cambridge and now an IT leader and consultant, brings his technological expertise to guide the project toward new horizons. 

“Thanks to online platforms, we can now offer audio exercises, explanatory videos, and self-assessment tools,” he explains. “This transforms music learning into a more autonomous and accessible experience — without replacing the vital human connection between teacher and student.” 

Their work perfectly embodies the meeting point between the rigor of traditional teaching and the limitless potential of digital learning: a living alliance, supported by Les Productions Largo and driven by the enduring passion of the Conservatoire de musique de la Montérégie. 

To learn more about their programs, courses, and teaching approach:

👉 www.leconservatoire.org

👉 www.productionslargo.com

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