Audition Numbers

Audition Numbers and Tempi for Concert Band

PLAY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ALONG WITH YOUR CHROMATIC SCALE :

Gr.9 Concert

Page 8  #11 ♩= 100

Page 9  #19 ♩ = 60

Page 9  #23 ♩= 70

Gr. 10 Concert

Page 8 #15 ♩= 80

Page 9  #23 ♩= 120

Page 10  #31 ♩= 100

Symphonic Band

Page 8 #15 ♩= 100

Page 9 #23 ♩= 130

Page 11 #35 ♩= 60 (take 2nd ending)

Page 12 #43 ♩= 70 (take 2nd ending)

Here is your marking Rubric

Audition Information and Google Doc's

Jazz Band:

Our Auditions for Intermediate and Junior Jazz will be beginning shortly.  Intermediate Jazz will begin auditions starting on Monday the 25th and Jr. Jazz auctions will begin on Tuesday the 26th.

To aid in the process, please click on the links below for your audition date and order.

(THESE LINKS WILL BE ACTIVE MONDAY SEPT 25TH)

Jr. Jazz

Intermediate Jazz

FOR JAZZ BAND  - REMEMBER:  regardless of the ensemble you end up in, you will be getting and age appropriate credit.  Thus if you are in Intermediate Jazz and you are in Gr.9, you will get a Gr. 9 credit.  Vice versa, if you are in Gr 12 and you are in Jr. Jazz, you will get a Grade 12 credit.

Concert Band:

Auditions are about to begin.  Grade 10 Concert Band and Symphonic will begin on Thursday the 26th and Gr. 9 Concert Band will begin shortly after, however, we have not set a date yet.

To aid in the process, please click on the links below for your audition date and order.

(THESE LINKS WILL BE ACTIVE MONDAY SEPT 25TH)

Symphonic Band

Grade 10 Concert Band


(THE GRADE 9 CONCERT BAND LINK WILL BE LIVE, ONCE WE HAVE AGREED ON A DATE)

Grade 9 Concert Band

And We're Off

What a fun and exciting start to our year. Everyone is getting going and our first assignments are out and bands are playing.  Here's a bit of info to get you started.

Grade 9's  - have completed assignment #1 - My Job your Job and it was due this past Wednesday and they are now completing their Web assignment for Friday.  Instruments have been distributed with the last making it into their hands by Friday and at the latest Monday.  They will also be receiving a Red Book for their lessons free of charge.  We are still looking for two trumpets to switch over to French Horn and possibly someone to take over the role of oboist.  That should be settled by Monday, as well.  Grade 9 students are responsible for pages 7-9 in the Red Book.  One of these exercises will be chosen shortly for them as an audition piece.  Auditions will take place 1-on-1 in Mr. E's office during class time.  After that wraps up will will head in to the 90's test.  For even more information click on the links above.

Grade 10's - They have been given a web assignment today that is due on Monday. Instruments have been distributed and we played through the Red Book almost in entirely today.  Grade10 students are responsible for pages 7-10 in the Red Book.  One of these exercises will be chosen shortly for them as an audition piece.  Auditions will take place 1-on-1 in Mr. E's office during class time.  After that wraps up will will head in to the 90's test.  For even more information click on the links above.

Symphonic Band - They have been given a web assignment today that is due on Monday. Instruments have been distributed and we played through the Red Book in its entirely today.  Symphonic  students are responsible for pages 7-12 in the Red Book.  One of these exercises will be chosen shortly for them as an audition piece.  Auditions will take place 1-on-1 in Mr. E's office during class time.  After that wraps up will will head in to the 90's test.  For even more information click on the links above.

Sr. Jazz - working hard in preparation for their upcoming gig.

Intermediate and Jr. Jazz - audition music has been distributed and is being rehearsed in class.  Once things are going smoothly, we will star the audition process.  Auditions will take place 1-on-1 in Mr. E's office during class time.  For there, Mr. E will create three wicked ensembles.  An intermediate jazz with one per part and then two dynamic Jr. Jazz Ensembles.  One meeting in the morning and one meeting at lunch. For more information on dates and times, see the post below.

Rentals - instruments are distributed immediately.  We worry about payment in October.


Questions?  Do not hesitate to email or call.

Mr. E

Jazz at Westwood

I have had a few questions about Jazz for the upcoming 2017-18 school year.

Here is a bit of information to help clarify any questions you may have.

• Sr. Jazz is auditioned in June and those positions have all been filled.  That class meets on Day 1, 3, 5 at 7:15AM.
• The program we use to design the timetables does not recognize classes that happen before school, so it uses period 9 instead and makes it look like you have a class in the evening from 7:30-8:30PM.  You do not.
• All jazz bands at Westwood are sorted by ability through a brief audition process in September.  Age or Grade does not matter.  
• Until the auditions are done, the program that designs the time table just places students who want to be in Jazz in a class based on grade.  Thus, if you are in Grade 11 or 12 it looks like you are in Period 9 at  7:30-8:30PM.  You are not.
• As it stands Intermediate Jazz will meet during period 4 (Lunch) on days 1,3,5.
• Junior Jazz will be split into two separate bands after auditions and one will meet during period 4 (Lunch) on days 2,4,6 and the other will meet at 7:15AM on days (2,4,6)
• A reminder to all incoming 9's - Jazz Band is a full credit with its own grading system and assignments separate to Concert Band.  
• For the time being, you are expected to come to class as follows.
• Sr. Jazz  - Day 1,3,5 at 7:15AM. - starting Thursday Sept. 7th.
• Jr. Jazz  - period 4 (Lunch) on days 2,4,6 - Starting Friday Sept 8th.(ATTENDANCE ONLY) - THEN EXPECTATIONS/ MUSIC/ INSTRUMENTATION ETC. WILL BE DISCUSSED ON THE 12TH.
• Intermediate Jazz - Day 1,3,5 - period 4 (Lunch) - starting Thursday Sept. 7th.

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS NEXT BIT:

SO........  If you are in Sr. Jazz - Thursday the 7th - 7:15AM.

Anyone NOT in Sr. Jazz, but you are in Grade 10, 11, or 12 you will be considered Intermediate Jazz and you have class starting on the 7th at period 4 (Lunch) - starting Thursday Sept. 7th.

For the time being Jr. Jazz will only be made up of gr 9's and will meet during period 4 (Lunch) on days 2,4,6 Starting Friday Sept 8th.   (ATTENDANCE ONLY) - THEN EXPECTATIONS/ MUSIC/ INSTRUMENTATION ETC. WILL BE DISCUSSED ON THE 12TH.

Feel free to drop by and say hi if this is as clear as mud.  Mr. E.

Congrats - Athletic Awards

Congratulations to all of our award winners at the Athletic banquet last night.  The great thing about Westwood is that we have a large number of athletes who are also involved in the band program.

Here are our Athletic Musicians:

JV Girls Volleyball Coach's award - Jessica K. (Trumpet)

Varsity Boys Volleyball - Coach's Award - Brady C. (Bassoon)

Girls Rugby Coach's Award - Brenna D. (F. Horn)

Baseball Coach's Award - Colin Y. (Bass Bone)

Boys Hockey Coach's Award - Ben S. (Trumpet)

JV Boys Volleyball MVP - Bryce M (Baritone)

Varsity Girls Volleyball MVP - Kelli B. (Trombone)

Varsity Girls Volleyball MVP - Mikayla W.  (Flute)

Varsity Boys Volleyball MVP  - Ryan L. (Trumpet)

Ultimate MVP - Nick E. (Timpani/ Percussion)

JV Ultimate MVP - Lexi M. (Tenor Sax/ Piano)

Curling MVP - Mason S. (Flute)

Curling MVP - Cassie S. (Clarinet)

JV Girls Basketball MVP - Lexi M.  (Tenor Sax/ Piano)

Girls Soccer MVP - Megan H. (Alto Sax)

Badminton MVP - Derek H. (Trumpet)

Badminton MVP - Jeremy L. (Mallets)

Girls Rugby MVP - Danika M. (Flute)

Boys Rugby MVP  - Christian T. (Alto)

Boys Soccer MVP - Devin D. (Bass Clarinet)

Lacrosse MVP - Kellen C. (Alto Sax)

JV Boys Athlete of the Year - Bryce M. (Baritone)

JV Girls Athlete of the Year - Lexy M. (Tenor Sax/ Piano)

Varsity Boys Athlete of the Year - Ben S. (Trumpet)

Warrior Award - Maya S. (Clarinet)

Warrior Award - Nick E.  - (Timpani/ Percussion)

Warrior Heart and Hustle Award - Bentley T (Trombone)

Want to keep playing?

June 1, 2017

Dear Students,

I trust that you have had a wonderful year of growth, achievement, fun and music making. It was a pleasure meeting so many of you in workshops throughout the year and hearing many of your performances. Manitoba is certainly blessed with many outstanding school programs and talented students and teachers.

I am writing to invite you to consider an opportunity to continue playing after high school. The University of Manitoba Concert Band is open to students from across campus and the greater Winnipeg community. The ensemble this past year consisted of 75 players from ages 17 – 37 and only 12 of them were music majors. Many of our instrumental music majors are in the orchestra or wind ensemble. The concert band members are incredibly dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic people who love making music together once a week. Concert Band is a wonderful way to continue playing, meet new people and get involved in U of M activities. The group rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 – 9:30 and performs in four concerts per year. There is a $60 registration fee for the year applicable to members not taking concert band for credit. Students enrolled in the course do not pay the annual fee. The ensemble plays music from level 4-6 and a diverse range of styles and composers.

New and exciting for the 2017-2018 season is the opening of the new U of M state of the art rehearsal facilities, boasting the finest in acoustics and structural engineering. We are very excited to move into this space in August and start making beautiful music.

Acceptance is determined by audition which is based on the Manitoba Senior Honour Band etudes which can be found on this link  https://www.mbband.org/honour-concert-bands. Official audition dates are in late August/early September but if students prefer to audition before summer holidays begin, this can be arranged. Please feel free to share this letter with friends at school or in the community. The concert band has no cap and we welcome players of all ages and backgrounds. Current high school students are also welcome and encouraged to audition!

I hope you will consider this opportunity available at the University of Manitoba Desautels Faculty of Music! If you would like to audition or would like more information, please email me at Jacqueline.dawson@umanitoba.ca. You can also visit our website to learn more about the faculty, course offerings and ensembles http://umanitoba.ca/music/.

I look forward to hearing from you and wish you much success with the end of the school year! Have a wonderful summer.

Best Wishes,

Prof. J. Dawson

Look Ma, We're in the paper.

Westwood jazz band jives 

at nationals

Group gets gold, drummer and bass player recognized

By: Alana Trachenko

The Westwood jazz band received gold at a national band competition in Niagara Falls May 14 to 19.

The Westwood Collegiate jazz band left nationals with a little more hardware than they arrived with. 

The Grade 10, 11 and 12 group received gold at a national competition in Niagara Falls that took place May 14 to 19, an honour that Greg Edwards’ class has also earned in 2015.

ALANA TRACHENKO

Westwood Collegiate jazz band drummer Aidan Clarke (left) was named top high school drummer in Canada, while Carter LaFleche was named top player in his ensemble at nationals.

In addition to being named best overall, the band’s drummer, Aidan Clarke was named Pearl Outstanding Canadian drummer, while bass player Carter LaFleche was named top player in his ensemble.

"I have a family of musicians, music goes way back in my family and I started off really liking rock music because that’s what my parents, ’70s and ’80s kids, would listen to," Clarke said.

He’s been drumming for six years, starting out in rock but expanding his repertoire to jazz, as well.

"A lot of people play jazz or rock, but I like to do both," he said.

Outside of school, Clarke also plays in two bands. Receiving the Pearl award makes Clarke the top high school drummer in Canada, and his prize includes a custom drum kit.

LaFleche has been playing bass guitar for three and a half years, at Clarke’s encouragement.

"He got me hooked," he said. "I’ve been playing piano many years, so I always say this is pretty much the same."

A long history playing together helps the two hold down a solid foundation for the rest of the ensemble. With only one drummer and bass guitar in the group, they say the pressure was felt at nationals.

"Everything is a solo basically," LaFleche said. "I have to work at a higher level. But it helps to have such great people around me. I’ve been saying since Grade 9, you can’t get any better unless you play with people that are better than yourself."

LaFleche has a band outside of school as well, and he plays gigs with his family.

Band director Edwards hasn’t been shy about giving the group challenging pieces, and most of them agree that when they first saw the sheet music at the beginning of the year, they never expected to make it as far as they have. However, they saw success early at the Optimist Band Festival where they received a perfect score.

When it came time for nationals, they were ready.

"It didn’t feel too different because we’ve done a lot of competition before," Davis Peters said. "It felt kind of like home because we’d seen the room, seen some bands play, so we went in and did our jobs and it was really fun."

"It’s not something you get to do often, so it was pretty special for all of us to go up there," Jackson Hamm added.

Alice Russell’s Westwood vocal jazz group attended nationals as well, where Carter Kennington was named top vocalist in his ensemble.

On Wed., May 31 the jazz band will be performing at Westwood Collegiate at 7 p.m., while the vocal jazz group will be performing at the same time and place on Thurs., June 1. Admission is free.

This article by Alana Trachenko appeared in the latest edition of the Metro.  If you would like to link directly to the article you can by using this link:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/metro/Westwood-jazz-band-jives-at-nationals-424607344.html …