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WESTERN/OBA Intermediate honour band

October 13th and 14th, 2023

Western University

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IMPORTANT UPDATE

Due to unprecedented demand, the grade 10/11 band has reached capacity on certain instruments. Sections that are full are indicated on the recommendation form. Students who were recommended prior to September 25th 2023 can continue to register. Our grade 9 band is still open for all instruments.  

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Teacher Recommendation Deadline: Sept 27th, 2023

Student Registration Deadline: Sept 28, 2023

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Please email the event director Matt Rodnick at mattrodnick@gmail.com with any questions/concerns.

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October 13th and 14th, 2023

Western University

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ABOUT

The Ontario Band Association in partnership with Western University, is once again thrilled to present the annual Intermediate Honour Band for students in grades 9, 10, and 11 from across the province. The 2023 honour band will take place at the Don Wright Faculty of Music on Western’s campus in London ON on October 13th and 14th and will be conducted by Dr. Colleen Richardson. This two-day event is a phenomenal opportunity for musical enrichment and provides memories that will last a lifetime! 


This year we are excited to announce two different bands! Students will join one of two ensembles. One band is exclusively for grade nine students while the second band is a combined grade ten and eleven band.


Acceptance into the ensemble is through teacher recommendation, not audition. Please note that there are some playing requirements that will be enforced for this year's recommendations based on Grade Level. Please see the playing requirements below for more information. 


Music will be sent out to the participants in advance of the Intermediate Honour Band weekend. The overall event price is $74 and includes a t-shirt, lunch on both days as well as music.

SCHEDULE

Our event runs over two days in October. 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on Friday, October 13th and from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM on Saturday, October 14th. 

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There will be a concert for friends and family on Saturday, October 14th at 2:45 PM in Paul Davenport Theatre.
 

highlights

  • Rehearse at Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music in their new building!

  • Learn from some of Ontario’s most distinguished music specialists.

  • Enjoy a free concert by Western University students.

  • Receive a T-shirt to commemorate the event.

  • Meet new friends from all over the province.

  • Make some great music and create some great memories!

  • Perform for family and friends in the Paul Davenport Theatre on the Western Campus.

Grade 9 Band Playing Requirements

  • Prospective Grade Nine Musicians should meet the following playing criteria to ensure that they will be successful in the ensemble:

  • Students should have the necessary range to perform a one-octave concert B-Flat Major Scale on their instrument.

  • The ability to play in the keys of E-Flat and B-Flat Major

  • The ability to count syncopated eighth note rhythms. 

  • Please look at the scores below to determine suitability. 

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Scores

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Please see the links below to the scores of the pieces that will be performed. We ask that music teachers look through the scores with their students in mind prior to making a recommendation.

 

  1. Mark Williams - Legend of the Ahlambra - Click HERE to access the score. 

  2. Brian Balmages - Midnight Sky - Click HERE to access the score. 

  3. Matthew R. Putnam - Ulterior Motifs - Click HERE to access the score

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Students are expected to learn their parts, to the best of their abilities, in advance of the 2-day event so that rehearsals can focus on music making.

Grade 10/11 Band Playing Requirements

Prospective Grade Ten AND Eleven Musicians should meet the following playing criteria to ensure that they will be successful in the ensemble:

  • The ability to perform music at the B300 Level

  • The ability to perform in the keys of B-Flat, E-Flat, and A-Flat Major

  • The pieces we will study employ chromaticism; students should be able to perform a chromatic scale on their instrument. 

  • Students should have knowledge of cut time, sixteenth notes, and syncopated eighth note rhythms. 

  • Please look at the scores below to determine suitability. 

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Scores

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We have provided links to the scores of the pieces that will be performed. We ask that music teachers look through the scores with their students in mind prior to making a recommendation.

 

  1. Shelley Hanson - Albanian Dance - Click HERE to access the score. 

  2. Randall Standridge - The Rowan Tree - Click HERE to access the score. 

  3. Brian Balmages - March Diabolique - Click HERE to access the Score

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​Students are expected to learn their parts, to the best of their abilities, in advance of the 2-day event so that rehearsals can focus on music making.

Recommend Your Students Now

Recommending a student is easy and takes just a few minutes!

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Here is how it works:

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1. Fill out this form to recommend your student and your student is automatically accepted into the band. 

2. We will send you a registration link. Please forward the link to your student and their parents can register them for the band. 

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Please note that recommendations must be made by a music teacher. There is no limit to the number of students that you may recommend. All students must be able to meet the minimum playing requirements stated above. Recommendations are based on your professional judgement as a music teacher. 

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