SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 13-14 2023 - QUEBEC BAND ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
OPUS 2.0

2022 Quebec Band Association Conference
October 21-23, 2022
Auberge West Brome
128, rue 139
(Chemin West Brome)
West Brome, QC
J0E 2P0
Please join us for the return of our in person conference from October 21-23. This conference is tailored to all music educators with a variety of workshops. See clinicians and the workshops below:
Keynote Speaker: Bill Kristjanson
Bill Kristjanson is currently a sessional instructor at the University of Manitoba, teaching music education courses. For many years he taught at Vincent Massey Collegiate, Glenlawn Collegiate and Minnetonka schools and served as Divisional Music Consultant.
Bill has been invited to present at the International Association of Jazz Educators’ Conference, the Canadian Music Educators Conference, and provincial music education conferences in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. Among guest conducting roles, he has conducted the Manitoba Provincial Junior Honour Band, Intermediate Honour Band, Honour Jazz Band, The Winnipeg Wind Ensemble and at the International Music Camp. Bill is the recipient of numerous awards recognizing teaching excellence and service to music education including, the “Manitoba Band Association Award of Distinction”, “Manitoba Jazz Educator of the Year Award”, a “CMEA Builders Award” the “D.W. Penner Award for Exceptional Service in Education” and the Canadian Band Association “National Band Award”
His leadership roles include Past President of the Manitoba Music Educators’ Association, Chairperson of the Winnipeg International Optimist Festival and a member of the Manitoba Music Curriculum writing team. Currently, he is involved in the MBA Mentorship Program and is the Artistic Director of the MBA/University of Manitoba Jazz Camp.
Bill’s teaching philosophy revolves around, “Finding something good, and helping it grow.”
Find Something Good and Help It Grow:
Create a rehearsal atmosphere that is engaging, energetic and positive; where students take risks and make their own musical decisions. Go into rehearsal looking for beautiful tone, nuanced phrasing, delicate articulation, and artistic music making, and watch the students blossom.
Making It Stick:
Who ever said, "We just have too much rehearsal time?" Deliberate Practice and Deep Learning are the keys to becoming more efficient with the time we have. By implementing some simple adjustments to our teaching, we can help our students retain skills and concepts, and be able to transfer their understanding to the next piece.
Teaching Improvisation in the Flex Band Setting:
Improvisation is a central component of the jazz experience; however, many band directors do not feel comfortable with improvising. Even if we do, teaching it to twenty students at once in a jazz band situation is a challenge for even experienced jazz musicians. Often, we end up with two or three students doing all the soloing. This session is designed to give music educators tools to teach jazz improvisation so that every student can experience the joy of soloing.
Other clinics include:
Maintenance and Troubleshooting for Brass Instruments:
Twigg Musique's P-O Duceppe will guide you through easy solutions to troubleshooting and fixing common issues on brass instruments. This includes how to fix those pesky dented mouthpiece shanks!
Trombone Workshop with Modibo Keita, Yamaha Artist: The ins and outs of trombone playing. Modibo Keita will share details on how to get your trombone players playing with confidence and will offer advice for maintenance and care of the instrument.
Toastmasters Clinic and Show: Having trouble speaking in public? Do you wish you were a better public speaker? Well, this workshop is for you! Join us as Phil Méthot from Toastmasters guides us through best bets for becoming a confident public speaker to make you shine at your concerts. He will also entertain us with some stand up comedy!
Sound Recording; Tips and Tricks: Many of us have had to turn to digital ways of presenting our student's work through the past few years. This workshop will help you figure out some basics, so you can help your students sound their best. Presented by Jean Martin Pilette.
SEL Workshop with Gabby Smith: Social Emotional Learning is so very important, especially during these times. Find out how the music classroom can support your students in their personal development.
QBA Resource Speed Dating / AGM: Sometimes the best moments of a conference are the ideas you get from speaking with colleagues. Bring an idea, or a lesson that makes your students shine and we will take turns sharing our lessons in a "speed dating" format. This will be followed by the QBA's Annual General Meeting.
Registration Fees:
Registration fees include shared accommodations, meals, workshops and taxes. For concerns regarding shared accommodations, please contact tlescaudron@twiggmusique.com
Early Registration (prior to Sept. 30th):
QBA Members.....................................$995
Non QBA Members.........................$1045
Registration (post September 30th)
QBA Members....................................$1295
Non QBA Members.........................$1345