WESTERN/OBA Intermediate honour band

October 11th and 12th, 2024

Western University

Teacher Recommendation Deadline: Sept 16th, 2024

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

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 8, 9, 10, and 11 from across the province. The 2024 honour band will take place at the Don Wright Faculty of Music on Western’s campus in London ON on October 11th and 12th 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!

In this event, students will join one of two ensembles. One band is exclusively for grade eight and 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 ensembles.

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 11th and from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM on Saturday, October 12th.

There will be a concert for friends and family on Saturday, October 12th at 2:45 PM in Paul Davenport Theatre.

Grade 8/9 Band Playing Requirements

Prospective Grade Eight AND 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.
Students should have knowledge of 6/8 time.
The ability to play in the keys of E-Flat, F, and B-Flat Major Concert.
The ability to count dotted-8th and syncopated rhythms.
Please look at the scores below to determine suitability.

Scores

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.

Randall Standridge - Marzo Zingaro - Click HERE to access the score.
Ryan Meeboer - For the Glory - Click HERE to access the score.
Adrian Sims - Starlight Adventure - Click HERE to access the score

Please note that this year's repertoire is more demanding than in past years. Students are expected to learn all notes and rhythms at tempo in advance of the 2-day event so that rehearsals can focus on music making.

Within one week of registering, students will receive all the parts for their instrument so they are able to practice over the summer. Exact individual part assignments will be available on September 22nd once the full registration period has ended.

For example, if a student was a clarinet player, they would receive all the clarinet parts so they could practice well in advance of the event. On September 20th, they would find out the specific part assignment (e.g., Clarinet 2) that they would be playing for the event.

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 10/11 Band Playing Requirements

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

The ability to perform music at the B400 Level
The pieces we will study employ chromaticism; students should be able to perform a chromatic scale on their instrument starting on any note.
Students should have knowledge of ALL metres, rhythms, and keys required by the three pieces to be performed.
Please look at the scores below to determine suitability.

Scores

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.

Tyler Grant - Shimmering Joy - Click HERE to access the score.
Erik Morales - Fable - Click HERE to access the score.
Khataj Copley - Astra - Click HERE to access the Score

Please note that this year's repertoire is more demanding than in past years. Students are expected to learn all notes and rhythms at tempo in advance of the 2-day event so that rehearsals can focus on music making.

Within one week of registering, students will receive all the parts for their instrument so they are able to practice over the summer. Exact individual part assignments will be available on September 22nd once the full registration period has ended.

For example, if a student was a clarinet player, they would receive all the clarinet parts so they could practice well in advance of the event. On September 20th, they would find out the specific part assignment (e.g., Clarinet 2) that they would be playing for the event.

Recommend Your Students Now

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

Here is how it works:

1. Fill out this form to recommend your student.

2. We will send you a registration link.

3. Please forward the link to your student and their parent/guardian can register them for the band.

Please note that recommendations must be made by a music teacher. All students must be able to meet the minimum playing requirements stated above. Recommendations are based on your professional judgement as a music teacher.

Please note that there are a limited number of spots available on each instrument. First come, first served.