Monday 25 February 2013

Optimist Band Festival


CONGRATULATIONS go out to all of our Concert Bands for their outstanding performances at this year's Optimist International Band Festival.  All 4 of our groups were recognized for their exemplary performance and mature sound.  Thank you to all students and parents for their support as we went through a pretty busy week.  A special thank you to all of those who helped the festival with clean-up after the Gr. 12 performance on Friday night.

When you are in the building we invite you to stop by the trophy case and check out all the new hardware.

Well done everyone!

Thursday 21 February 2013

Gr. 12 Optimist Change


Change in times for Gr 12 at optimist on Friday - we are now at 7:40 p.m. instead of 6:00.  The change accommodates the boys hockey win last night against FRC (nail biter).... woooo hoooo.......that way Dan Thurlbeck can make the festival and play in Fort Richmond.

Friday 15 February 2013

Moanin' - Charles Mingus



Here is some info for Sr. Jazz members.  That said, I am sure that you all will enjoy this new piece of music that we are getting ready for festival by Charles Mingus called Moanin'. This is the example that we looked at this morning.


Also here is a great example of Charles Mingus on stage in Norway in 1964. Check out the interesting temp changes and solo work of the group.

Eva is cool!

Monday 11 February 2013

University of Minnesota at Morris


On Saturday Feb. 8th, Westwood Collegiate Gr. 11 and 12 Band students were treated to a unique opportunity as the University of Minnesota Morris Wind Ensemble stopped by for a morning of clinics and concerts.  The day started out under the direction of Mr. Simon Tillier as he took the Gr. 12 Concert Band through its paces and offered many excellent and wonderful suggestions to the band.  Mr. Tillier was joined by his principle players who then took the individual sections to "break-out" sessions throughout the school.  The day ended with the university ensemble performing a fantastic concert for our willing students who leapt to their feet in ovation at the end.  Student ambassadors Kinnon Weddall and Aaron Ryback presented Mr. Tillier with a Westwood T-shirt and water bottle to thank him for such a wonderful fun-filled morning. 

Here's some photos for you of this simply fantastic event.


We Love Lincoln

Well another great collaboration between Lincoln Gr.8 Band students and Westwood Grade 12 students has come and gone.  We simply had a blast.  To quote the article that Mrs. Chrisp wrote for The Contact:

 On divisional in-service morning of Monday February 4th , well over 100 young and vibrant musicians from Westwood Collegiate and Lincoln Middle School united to share a passion for music making. Director of Bands at Westwood, Mr. Greg Edwards, along with his exemplary team of Gr.11 and 12 concert band students, coordinated and graciously hosted instrument sectionals and a full ensemble workshop for their neighboring feeder school. The Westwood students both led the sectionals as well as sat within and amongst the Grade 8 Lincoln band students.  Magic was in the air as the seniors inspired and motivated the juniors by playing musical examples and offered suggestions on how to improve an array of musical aspects such as tone quality, dynamics and articulation.  The power of young people to act as leaders and role models is a beautiful and powerful teaching tool.  We are extremely fortunate in our world of music making to be able to collaborate learners in this fashion, have the seniors try their hands at teaching and the juniors leave inspired and moved by their older and more experienced peers.  The Westwood Senior Jazz Band treated the Lincoln musicians to an energetic performance of Stevie Wonder's - Superstition. Lincoln Director Mrs. Chrisp and some of her students were invited to sit in with the Westwood Senior Jazz Band and had much fun playing along.  The morning concluded with a full ensemble rehearsal in the Westwood gymnasium that consisted of both the junior and senior musicians rehearsing as one mass concert band.  The ensemble sound was both inspirational and exciting for all involved.  Following a pizza lunch the students departed and for certain were richer musicians and people for having participated in this meaningful and creative endeavor. 

Enjoy some photos that celebrate the day.


Wednesday 6 February 2013

To All Band Students

Some thoughts about registration to all Band Students:

This week registrations come out.  Basically, it works like this... if you don't sign up, we can't continue to have fun.  I sincerely hope that come registration time that you think back on all of the great times we have had together and sign up to keep the love alive.  Band is a wonderful course and I am so proud to be your teacher, but remember, it is a team sport and without a team, we do not have class.  Think of it from a football perspective, it's great to have an amazing quarterback, but if we do not have anyone to catch the ball, it is kind of pointless... no?  Remember, we need everyone to sign up to play the game.





Also, the University of Minnesota Morris will be here this Saturday doing clinics with the Gr. 12's.  The Gr. 12 Concert Band and the University Wind Ensemble will be giving a FREE concert at 11:45ish in out theatre.  Come on by and bring a friend or a family member and hear some great music. Concert should be done in under an hour.

Sr. Jazz:

Reminder about the Cancer Care concert on Friday night.  I am asking everyone to be at Westwood for 7:00 a.m. for rehearsal and we will rehearse in the theatre that morning.  Then you will need to be back at the school for 6:00 and we open the concert at 7:00 p.m.  You will be able to go home by 7:30.  We do not have to strike the rhythm section, just the stands and chairs.

Gr. 12 Concert Band:

Reminder that the University of Minnesota Morris will be here this Saturday doing clinics with us.  Mr. Simon Tiller, along with his principal players, will be conducting a workshop with us similar to Lincoln Love.  You need to be here at 9:00 to set up in the theatre for the event.  Clinics run from 10:20ish to 11:30.  We will then break for snackies, and start our concert at 12:00.  You will be done by 1:30.

Gr. 9 Concert Band:

Reminder to bring in your salmon coloured travel forms for Optimist.

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