Friday 30 October 2015

Some food for thought

We will be covering this in class this year, but I thought it would be very powerful to share with our blog followers - parents and students alike.

I am always struck by how many people keep discrediting what we have known all along that studying an instrument is a very valuable skill as part of human brain development. However, consistently, I still hear people referring to Band as a "fluff" course or not on par with academics.  It's not that playing "f" on the clarinet is the valuable skill (unless of course you are going to be a professional clarinetist), it is what your brain is doing while you learn this skill.  Learning and instrument is a "full body work out" for your brain as opposed to other skills that are centered on one or two specific areas of the brain.   It's nice that there is now more and more hard data to lay some of these myths to rest.


Thursday 29 October 2015

Arts Hoodies

Although we are continuing to offer a Music Department Jacket every few years, another option you might be interested in is The Arts Department Hoodie.The Arts Department is bringing back the arts hoodie just in time for Christmas! Are you in band, choral, dance, drama, graphic tech, film studies, musical theatre or visual arts...or many of these arts courses? You can have a customized arts hoodie with all of your arts proudly displayed on the sleeve. Insterested? See your arts teachers or pick up an order form in the office. Payments and orders due Monday, November 23rd.

Check out this link for the order form and chance to see the design

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Brandon Jazz Information



Great meeting last night.  Just a quick note to say that all of the information has been posted in the drop down menu above "Brandon Jazz 2016"  Way to go Brooke!

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Section and Section Leader Information

I have posted a couple of documents that help define the roles of the section and section leaders in the PROGRAM INFO drop down menu. It is a good idea that every one have a look at this information so that everyone is aware of the expectations of the section and the section leader.  Section leaders for Jazz band are those students with a "*" by their name and same applies to Concert Band and Symphonic band once auditions have been completed.

As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate meet with Mr. Edwards.


Monday 19 October 2015

Instrument Rentals are now ON-LINE

As we mentioned at the beginning of the year, we do not ask for rental monies right away, to help offset the financial pressure that September often brings to families.

Now that we are well into October, we start to collect rental fees. 

At Westwood, we pay all of our fees on-line and you can follow the easy steps to do so on the link at the top of this page entitled  - ON LINE RENTAL INFO.

If you are wondering if you owe a rental fee, I have also included a spreadsheet on that page as well which includes the amount and type... just follow the link on that page.

All fees are due by November 20th or one month from today.

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a unique payment plan, please do not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience.

Mr. Edwards


Friday 16 October 2015

Brandon Jazz Festival Meeting

As is tradition, all of our Jazz Bands are heading to the Brandon Jazz festival in March (16-18). We meet once to discuss the basic details of the trip. That meeting takes place on Wednesday, 28 October at 6:30 PM in the theatre. It will be under an hour.

Tuesday 13 October 2015

Self Assessment and Sectionals

It's hard to believe that it is time already to look at sectional cut off and self-assessment.

Both cut-off dates are coming very quickly.

If you are in GR.10,11 or 12 and you have this down, please make sure you re-read you last self assessment and begin your new one with a summation of the thoughts Mr. Edwards jotted at the bottom - translation is free.

IT IS ALWAYS WISE TO RE-RED THE INFORMATION BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR FIRST ONE OF TEH SEASON.

If you are in GR.9 OR you are New, please follow the links below to get a feel for the 5 w's (who, what, when, where and why) of sectionals and self-assessment.

To find out more about dates see our iCal on the dates page or click here -  Important Dates

To find out more about the purpose of sectionals and what is all involved go to our course outlines listed under the Program information banner or:  click here for Jazz Band Course Outline or Concert Band Course Outline

Before completing a self-assessment please make certain you are familiar with all of the information in the self-assessment section listed under the drop down menu on the website or click here - Self Assessment

To find out more about self assessment purpose and philosophy go to the Program information banner and read through the course outlines:  click here for Jazz Band Course Outline or Concert Band Course Outline

Tuesday 6 October 2015

Making You (ME) Smile - Metal Edition


Every Feel like your going off the rails on a Crazy Train....

Well.....  Ozzy Ozbourne gave us this gem and offered us this advice..

"Maybe it's not to late,
 To learn how to love and forget how to hate."

Here is the original from 1981's Blizzard of Oz tour:




Now here's where it gets interesting.

















Friday 2 October 2015

Jazz Bands 2015-2016

After a couple of weeks of intense auditions we are pleased to announce this year's line up for our Intermediate and Jr. Jazz Band.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding as we worked throughout eh process to find a home for everyone.

Congratulations and all the best in your performances this year.

Jazz Bands 2015-16

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