WESTERN/OBA Intermediate honour band
October 23rd and 24th, 2026
Western University
Audition Deadline: June 15th, 2026
A limited number of spots are available for each instrument, and placement will be determined by audition. This year, we are pleased to welcome students in grades 8–12!
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, 11, and 12 from across the province. The 2026 honour band will take place at the Don Wright Faculty of Music on Western’s campus in London ON on October 23rd and 24th 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, eleven, twelve band.
Acceptance is through audition.
Music will be sent out to the participants in advance of the Intermediate Honour Band weekend. The overall event price is $80 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 23rd and from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM on Saturday, October 24th.
There will be a concert for friends and family on Saturday, October 24th at 3:00 PM in Paul Davenport Theatre.
highlights
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Rehearse at Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music in their new building!
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Learn from some of Ontario’s most distinguished music specialists.
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Enjoy a free concert by Western University students.
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Receive a T-shirt to commemorate the event.
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Meet new friends from all over the province.
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Make some great music and create some great memories!
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Perform for family and friends in the Paul Davenport Theatre on the Western Campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
An audition was previously not required to be a part of the Western Intermediate Honour Band, why have we added an audition this year?
Last year, many sections in the Intermediate Honour Band filled up within minutes, and our waitlist grew to nearly one hundred students. We have decided that implementing auditions is a fairer way to determine placement in the Intermediate Honour Band. This change is not meant to be discouraging; rather, it has been necessitated by the exceptionally high demand for our program.
How will the auditions be evaluated?
They will only hear the applicant, without knowing the name of the auditionee or the school they attend. The entire process will be conducted anonymously to ensure that all students receive a fair opportunity.
When will I know if I was accepted into the band?
Audition results will be shared in late June via email to all students who submitted auditions.
Is there a fee to audition?
No, there is no fee to audition. Auditions may be submitted online until 11:59 PM on June 15th. We strongly suggest submitting your audition early to allow for any potential technical difficulties with the upload process.
Audition Material
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Ask your band director and/or private instructor for assistance in preparing your material.
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Please do NOT speak on your recording — you do not need to introduce yourself or what you are playing.
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Please do NOT record the submission in a video format.
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Please include one file for your repertoire excerpts and one file for your chromatic scale.
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Thoroughly listen to the audio files before you submit them to ensure there are no mistakes and that the quality of sound is acceptable.
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Your recording should demonstrate tone quality, technical facility, and musicality.
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Grade 10-12 applicants: Please include one file for your repertoire excerpt(s) and one separate file for your chromatic scale.
audition (complete this form)
