YORK/OBA BEGINNING & DEVELOPING BAND SYMPOSIUM

ABOUT

The Beginning and Developing Band Symposium offers both new and experienced music educators a dynamic day of professional learning with expert clinicians from across Ontario. Sessions explore rehearsal techniques, program development, festival preparation, repertoire & programming and more—providing practical strategies, fresh ideas, and opportunities to connect and collaborate with colleagues province-wide.

2026 FEES

Please note that you have to be a member of the OBA to attend the York/OBA Beginning & Developing Band Symposium.

CLICK HERE for Membership Information and to join the OBA!

Regular Member Admission $65.00

Student/Retiree Admission $35.00

schedule of workshops

8:30

Registration, Find a seat, enjoy Muffins/Pastries/Coffee!

9:00-9:15

Short Introductions/Acknowledgements and Opening Remarks

9:15-10:30

Beyond the Baton: Leading, Listening and Learning

Clinician: Mary Ann Fratia

This workshop will connect with new or-well seasoned conductors/educators and in turn resonate with our young musicians. As we explore concert, programmatic and Canadian repertoire (Level 100-300), we will see that conducting and rehearsing must be much more than beating time, correcting notes and rhythms and adding in a few dynamic changes. Our conducting must not only be technically and stylistically confident, but also musically inspiring. We can learn to stretch beats, incorporate choral conducting techniques as we help draw out the musicality of our young musicians. Our rehearsal techniques must be varied, effective and interactive in order to teach MUSIC through repertoire, to teach what is beyond the page . . . the creative process, theory and harmony, history and culture, ear training and exceptional musical listening skills.

10:30-1045

Shopping/Break - Visit the Long and McQuade Display!

10:45-11:30

Instrument Breakout Session #1

Clinician: Michael Yates, Shannon Jones, Christopher Giffin, Shashi Ramu

Bring an instrument and spend some time with a specialist improving your own skills as well as developing some teaching strategies to use in your classrooms to help your students develop better playing technique and skills. Breakout sessions will focus on the flute, trumpet, trombone/euphonium, and percussion.

11:30-12:15

Idea Sharing and Best Practices

Mediated by: Ryan Meeboer and Mary Ann Fratia

This is an open and interactive discussion, highlighting a selected number of pre-submitted best practices and/or ideas! All participants are asked to share/submit one idea during your registration process (on the form below). Selected participants will stand up and share their idea to the group with short discussions to follow.

Ideas can be anything. Conducting, classroom management, band administration, a rehearsal technique, any type of "HACK" , lesson plan or rubric, piece of music/composer/publisher - this is a very open discussion and opportunity to share our best practices!

12:15-1:15

Lunch Break (not provided - York Lanes food court is a 3 minute walk!)

1:15-2:30

Foundations of a Successful Band Program

Clinician: Hugh Corbett

In Foundations of a Successful Band Program, Hugh will share practical, classroom-tested strategies to help band directors identify and address the challenges their students encounter in performance. Participants will explore key questions such as What obstacles are preventing my students from reaching their potential? and How can I set them up for success? Topics will span the entire band experience, from instrument selection and establishing strong fundamentals, to rehearsal techniques, repertoire selection, and building a strong music community.

2:30-2:45
Shopping/Break - Visit the Long and McQuade Display!

2:45-3:30

Instrument Breakout Session #2

Clinician: Michael Yates, Shannon Jones, Christopher Giffin, Shashi Ramu

3:30-4:45

Band Repertoire: Tried and True/New Music Top Picks Reading Session

Conducted by: Mary Ann Fratia and Ryan Meeboer

Bring your instrument and sit in with members of the York University Symphonic Band and your fellow band teacher colleagues! This session will introduce a selection of new repertoire as well as tried and true TEACHABLE favourites. After reading each piece, there will be a short discussion about the pieces' performance and pedagogical merits, and other "value-metrics" for your program. This session is co-sponsored by Long and McQuade Music, and all selections will be available for sale at their onsite display.

4:45-5:00

Door Prizes, Acknowledgements and Wrap Up

REGISTRATION

Click on "RESERVE YOUR SPOT" to begin.

Then, add the appropriate admission item to your cart (you will also have an opportunity to purchase an OBA membership if you do not have one). Next, the information/registration form will show up, and the payment is the final step! If you have any questions, please email the BDBS director, Ryan Meeboer: bbs@onband.ca

CLINICIANS

Mary Ann Fratia earned her B.Mus.Ed. and B.Ed degrees from the University of Toronto and her M.Sc in Mus.Ed. from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She has studied trumpet with Stephen Chenette, Ronald Romm, Fred Mills of the Canadian Brass, and Mel Broiles, Metropolitan Opera as well as conducting with Dr. Harry Begian. Mary Ann has served as Head of Music and taught instrumental (concert band, strings, percussion, guitar), choral, instrumental and vocal jazz courses, served as the Arts/Music Coordinator for the Peel DSB and has taught and authored many music education (P/J, J/I and I/S) , assessment and integrated arts courses for pre-service educators at York University, OISE/UT (Masters of Teaching program), Toronto Metropolitan University and Ontario Tech University over the last 11 years. She has worked as a TVO Kids Music Education Consultant and has taught numerous Music AQ/ABQ courses at York U, OISE/UT and more recently, at the Royal Conservatory of Music (Oscar Peterson School). She has been the recipient of numerous awards: OMEA Honorary Life Membership Award, Outstanding Teaching/Conducting Awards (OBA), Awards of Excellence (PDSB), Teacher Recognition Award (OSSTF), Outstanding Contribution to Jazz Education Award (IAJE) and has been a nominee for the Undergraduate Teaching Award (York U). She has conducted numerous award-winning instrumental, choral and jazz ensembles, served as an adjudicator at many music festivals, as well as been a regular contributor to many provincial and national music education journals while also serving on many committees such as numerous OMEA Conference committees, Canadian Band Association: Time to Share and the Coalition for Music for Music Education in Canada.

MARY ANN FRATIA

Hugh Corbett is an educator, conductor, and performer from Etobicoke, Ontario. He studied Music and Visual Arts at the Etobicoke School of the Arts before earning an Honours Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition from Western University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto.
Over a distinguished 35-year career in Toronto music education, Hugh has inspired generations of young musicians and teachers through his work as an intermediate instrumental music teacher. Under his direction, St. Andrew’s MS concert bands, string orchestras, and jazz ensembles have earned numerous awards and distinctions at the local, provincial, and national level. In recognition of his leadership and musicianship, Hugh was selected to rehearse and conduct the 2018 Toronto District School Board All-City Orchestra for the Spring Festival Concert at Massey Hall. He has also conducted the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra Concert Winds at the Meridian Arts Centre.
Hugh's dedication to music education reaches well beyond the school day. After 10 years as an instructor with the TDSB Summer Sounds Music Camp, he went on to lead the program as Camp Director for 20 years. Hugh was the reason many marching band traditions began in a number of TDSB elementary and secondary schools and these bands have appeared in the Vaughan, Richmond Hill, and Etobicoke–Lakeshore Santa Claus Parades.
He has also served as Director of the Ontario Band Association's Beginning Band Symposium, sat on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Band Association – Ontario Chapter, and was a frequent guest conductor at the Canadian Band Association – Ontario Community Band Weekend. In addition, he co-authored an article for Canadian Winds/Vents Canadiens exploring the future of elementary band programs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since 2022, Hugh has served as Music Director of the Thornhill Community Band. An active performer as well as conductor, Hugh continues to play trombone with the Richmond Hill Community Band, reflecting a lifelong dedication to music education, performance, and community engagement.

HUGH CORBETT

Originally from Winnipeg, MB, Shashi Ramu celebrates his 39th year playing (and 27th year teaching) the trombone in 2026! A graduate of the University of Manitoba Music program, with lessons/time spent between Los Angeles, Winnipeg , and Toronto - Shashi has learned from some of the best teachers in the business.

Shashi has devoted his life to supporting music education – both instrumental music teachers and their students. From 2000- 2009, between Winnipeg and his current home, Toronto, Shashi served as Education Department Manager, Store Manager, Product Consultant, and Instrumental Music Buyer for Long and McQuade Music. In 2011, Shashi joined the Board of Directors of the Ontario Strings Association, where he served as Chair of the OSA’s Annual Conference for teachers. Shashi's most recent role in the industry was the Institutional Sales and Marketing Director for Harknett Music in Markham, where he was splitting his focus between performance repertoire sales & consulting for the Ontario school market, instrument sales, and digital media & event marketing and promotion.

Currently, Shashi also sits on the board of directors of the Ontario Band Association in the roles of Communications Coordinator and Director of the Golden Horseshoe Music Festival in Hamilton.

SHASHI RAMU

Michael Yates is a dedicated educator who has worked for the Halton District School Board for the past 12 years. Michael has spent the last decade as the Head of Music at Pilgrim Wood Public School in Oakville Ontario where he runs the intermediate band program. Under his direction the Pilgrim Wood concert bands, jazz band and drumline are considered to be of top quality within the Halton region.

His journey into music education began at Mohawk College where he completed a three-year diploma in jazz drum set performance. In 2011, he obtained his Honours Bachelors of Music from McMaster University and was commended for his efforts with the Shannon Reeves Scholarship and Award. In 2013, Michael completed his Bachelor of Education at Nipissing University (Schulich School of Education).

Michael is currently a steady gigging musician in the Hamilton, Halton and Toronto areas. He is currently the sitting drummer in the After Hours jazz orchestra based in Hamilton Ontario, directed by Canadian jazz trumpet player and composer Mike Malone.

MICHAEL YATES

RYAN MEEBOER

Ryan Meeboer is a music educator, who obtained his degree through the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

As a composer, he has written and arranged many pieces for concert band, jazz band, and small ensembles. His young band pieces have been well received by performers, educators, and audiences, and some of his pieces have been found on festival syllabuses. To date, Ryan has over 300 published compositions/arrangements for a variety of ensembles and band.

As a performer, he has had experience in several groups, including concert, stage and marching bands, chamber choir, vocal jazz ensemble, acoustic duets, and the Hamilton based swing group, 'The Main Swing Connection'.

Ryan began studying music at the age of seven through private guitar lessons. During his years in elementary and secondary school, he gained experience in several families of instruments. Focusing on music education and theory (including composition and orchestration), he attended McMaster University to achieve his honours degree in music.

He is currently teaching at Viola Desmond Public School in Milton, Ontario, where he continues his practices in composing and arranging. You can visit Ryan's website or YouTube channel to listen to his works.

Christopher Giffin is a Junior/Intermediate Music Specialist with the Halton District School Board and the Head of Music and Director of Bands at Charles R. Beaudoin Public School in Burlington. He works with a variety of ensembles, including the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Junior Band, and Ukulele Ensemble. As a band leader and conductor, Chris has taken the Halton Junior Jazz Band (HDSB Honour Band) and his school bands to Nationals, earning Gold awards on several occasions.

In addition to his work as a Music Educator, Chris has directed both the Newmarket and York Region Enrichment Bands, and was director for the inaugural TYWO Band Camp at Jackson’s Point. He studied Music Performance and Education at the University of Toronto and Wilfrid Laurier University under the tutelage of James Spragg and Guy Few. He also attended Domaine Forget, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, where he studied with Geoff Thompson, David Krauss, Jens Lindemann, Denise Grant, and Michael Purves-Smith. Chris completed Teachers’ College at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto.

Chris loves playing trumpet in Mike Malone’s ‘After-Hours Big Band’, and has also played in the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band, Intrada Brass of Oakville, and Weston Silver Band, performing all over Southern Ontario. When Chris is not making music, he can be found training for Duathlons in the summer.

Chris lives in Waterdown with his wife, Jody, and their two children, Noah and Lacey. He’s excited to join Summer Music this year as Trumpet Faculty and can’t wait to help inspire the next generation of musicians.

CHRISTOPHER GIFFIN

Shannon Jones has been an Instrumental Music Educator with the Halton District School Board since 2002.

She obtained her BMus (flute and education) from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1999 and her BMusEd from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2001.

Shannon’s greatest joys in her work are conducting Concert Band and watching students grow from absolute beginners to proficient, independent musicians.