BANDFEST GUIDELINES 2026
Important Information
- QBA BandFest 2026 is on Friday, April 17, 2026 at Laval Senior Academy (3200 boulevard du Souvenir Ouest, Laval, QC).
- Registration is $550 per ensemble for QBA members, or $600 for non-members and renewals.
- Registration will open on Monday, November 3, 2025, at noon. (The form will be linked on this page.)
Registration
See the time slots below:
- On the registration form, directors will be asked to select their top three time frames in order of preference. Each group will be given a 25-minute performance time within that period.
- There are only 20 performance slots available for the festival this year*
- Payment can be done immediately upon registration using a credit card or can be done with a cheque made out to Quebec Band Association (mailed to 4035 rue Joseph, Verdun, H4G 1J5). Payment in full is due by Friday, January 16, 2026. No refunds will be issued after January 16, 2026.
- Once the registration form is completed, an invoice/receipt will automatically be sent to the email address listed on the form.
- Registration will remain open until January 16, 2026, or until all spots are filled. At that time, a waitlist will be created.
See the time slots below:
- 8:00am-10:00am*
- 10:00am-12:00pm
- 12:00pm-2:00pm
- 2:00pm-3:30pm
- 4:30pm-6:30pm*
Festival Outline
*Groups are encouraged to either arrive early or stay late to listen to other schools perform.
**There is ample room in the parking lot for buses and parents using their own vehicles.
- Ensembles are encouraged to arrive approximately an hour prior to their performance time and arrive wearing performance attire.
- Each performing ensemble will arrive at the festival site and be led to a room to deposit coats and cases. They will then be guided to the warm-up room for 25 minutes leading up to their performing time.
- The warm-up room will contain chairs and stands as well as basic percussion equipment: 4 timpani, snare drum, bass drum, glockenspiel, xylophone, marimba, crash cymbals, bongos.
- Each performing ensemble will get a 25-minute performance slot. This will include getting on the stage and setting up, performing, and getting off the stage.
- The stage will have the following percussion equipment: 4 timpani, snare drum, bass drum, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, marimba, crash cymbals, congas, bongos, suspended cymbal. *Each group is responsible for bringing their own accessories and mallets, and we recommend that you label everything clearly.
- Once an ensemble has concluded their performance, they will be guided to the clinic room, where they will have a 20-minute clinic with one of the adjudicators.
- The clinic room will contain chairs, stands and percussion equipment: 4 timpani, snare drum, bass drum, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, marimba, crash cymbals, bongos, suspended cymbal.
- After their clinic, groups will be led to another room where they will take an ensemble photo with the photographer.
*Groups are encouraged to either arrive early or stay late to listen to other schools perform.
**There is ample room in the parking lot for buses and parents using their own vehicles.
Selections
*For Canadian repertoire suggestions, please use the following as resources:
- Canadian Wind Repertoire Database compiled by Pratik Ghandi
- Wind Repertory Project, Canadian composers category
- Eighth Note Publications
- MusicFest Canada - Canadian Concert Band Repertoire List
- Bands are required to perform two selections:
- One work by a Canadian composer
- One contrasting work
- Directors are encouraged to be mindful of the time constraints when choosing their repertoire – each band has 25 minutes total, which includes getting on and off the stage as well as performing.
- Titles of selections must be submitted by Friday, February 13, 2026.
- Ensembles must provide three originals of the scores they are performing. No photocopies will be permitted unless accompanied by an official letter from the publisher.
*For Canadian repertoire suggestions, please use the following as resources:
- Canadian Wind Repertoire Database compiled by Pratik Ghandi
- Wind Repertory Project, Canadian composers category
- Eighth Note Publications
- MusicFest Canada - Canadian Concert Band Repertoire List
Classification
Bands will enter in one of the following categories (determined by the repertoire they choose) and receive a rating from each adjudicator:
Bands will enter in one of the following categories (determined by the repertoire they choose) and receive a rating from each adjudicator:
- Beginning (grades 0.5-1.5)
- Developing (grades 2-3)
- Advanced (grades 3.5 and up)
Rating
The festival will have three adjudicators – one will be giving recorded comments for each performance, and one will give written comments and work with the ensemble in a clinic format immediately afterward.
If you have chosen to perform for adjudication and grades, each adjudicator will assign a One, Two, Three, Four, or Five-Star rating (with 5 being outstanding). A plaque will be presented to an ensemble when all adjudicators award an overall Five-Star rating.
The festival will have three adjudicators – one will be giving recorded comments for each performance, and one will give written comments and work with the ensemble in a clinic format immediately afterward.
If you have chosen to perform for adjudication and grades, each adjudicator will assign a One, Two, Three, Four, or Five-Star rating (with 5 being outstanding). A plaque will be presented to an ensemble when all adjudicators award an overall Five-Star rating.
Other info
- Bands will be asked to submit a short band bio by February 13, 2026.
- The Laval Senior Academy cafeteria will NOT be open as it will be a Ped day.
Questions
Please contact a representative of the Festival organizing committee with any questions:
Teresa Lescaudron [email protected]
Danielle Gaudry [email protected]
Please contact a representative of the Festival organizing committee with any questions:
Teresa Lescaudron [email protected]
Danielle Gaudry [email protected]
Adjudicators
Dr. Wendy Zander is the Instrumental Music Education Specialist and director of the Symphonic Band at Brandon University. A member of the Joint Department of Music Education in the School of Music, she also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education and conducting.
She serves as a guest conductor for school, university, community, and military ensembles, as a conductor at the International and Rushmore Music Camps, and as facilitator of conducting symposia. She has conducted junior high and high school regional, provincial, and state honor bands as well as the National Youth Band of Canada. The Brandon University Symphonic Band has performed as the featured ensemble at the Atlantic Band Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the Con Brio Music Festival in Whistler, British Columbia.
Zander values the creation of learning communities that provide professional opportunities for students and educators in the areas of performance and music education. She is Faculty Advisor for the Brandon University Student Music Educators Association (BUSMEA), an organization that designs and delivers the annual Da Capo professional development conference and organizes Avenues: Exploring Band and Jazz Methods for instrumental educators. In addition, she presents to school districts and provincial music education conferences and has presented at College Band Directors National Association regional conference and The Midwest Clinic.
Zander was the Lead Writer of the Manitoba Grade 9-12 Music Curriculum Framework, publishes in the journal Canadian Winds, and is a contributor to the publication and recording series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band and Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band. A former President of the Manitoba Band Association (MBA) and Canadian Band Association (CBA), she is an Educational Clinician with the Conn-Selmer Division of Education and a Teaching Affiliate with Brandon University’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology.
Zander investigates areas related to rehearsing and learning, conducting, and instrumental literature as a meaningful source for doing, knowing, and understanding in the music classroom. She is presently engaged in research related to the Wind Recording projects of her mentor, Eugene Migliaro Corporon. Zander has been awarded Brandon University Alumni Association’s Excellence in Teaching Award as well as the Manitoba Band Association’s Award of Distinction and the Canadian Band Association’s National Band Award.
She serves as a guest conductor for school, university, community, and military ensembles, as a conductor at the International and Rushmore Music Camps, and as facilitator of conducting symposia. She has conducted junior high and high school regional, provincial, and state honor bands as well as the National Youth Band of Canada. The Brandon University Symphonic Band has performed as the featured ensemble at the Atlantic Band Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the Con Brio Music Festival in Whistler, British Columbia.
Zander values the creation of learning communities that provide professional opportunities for students and educators in the areas of performance and music education. She is Faculty Advisor for the Brandon University Student Music Educators Association (BUSMEA), an organization that designs and delivers the annual Da Capo professional development conference and organizes Avenues: Exploring Band and Jazz Methods for instrumental educators. In addition, she presents to school districts and provincial music education conferences and has presented at College Band Directors National Association regional conference and The Midwest Clinic.
Zander was the Lead Writer of the Manitoba Grade 9-12 Music Curriculum Framework, publishes in the journal Canadian Winds, and is a contributor to the publication and recording series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band and Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band. A former President of the Manitoba Band Association (MBA) and Canadian Band Association (CBA), she is an Educational Clinician with the Conn-Selmer Division of Education and a Teaching Affiliate with Brandon University’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology.
Zander investigates areas related to rehearsing and learning, conducting, and instrumental literature as a meaningful source for doing, knowing, and understanding in the music classroom. She is presently engaged in research related to the Wind Recording projects of her mentor, Eugene Migliaro Corporon. Zander has been awarded Brandon University Alumni Association’s Excellence in Teaching Award as well as the Manitoba Band Association’s Award of Distinction and the Canadian Band Association’s National Band Award.
Dr. Gillian MacKay is Professor of Music of the University of Toronto, where she conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches graduate and undergraduate conducting. She serves as Associate Conductor of the Jack Long Honour Band, the national honour band held in conjunction with MusicFest Canada each year. Dr. MacKay has adjudicated and guest conducted in Canada, USA, Asia and the UK.
Known for her earlier research into the relationship between conducting and mime, Gillian is currently exploring the application of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique in the development of expressivity and character in conducting gesture. She has also undertaken study of clown to encourage joy and spontaneity in rehearsal and performance. Her current sabbatical work explores philosophies of non-violent social action, and proposes a reduction of the toleration of casual violence in wind band repertoire.
Dr. MacKay leads the University of Toronto Wind Conducting Symposium each July, and has been the guest instructor at other symposia in Canada and abroad. She has been honoured twice by the Canadian Band Association, receiving both their National and International Awards. Gillian earned degrees and diplomas from University of Lethbridge, University of Calgary, McGill University, and Northwestern University.
Known for her earlier research into the relationship between conducting and mime, Gillian is currently exploring the application of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique in the development of expressivity and character in conducting gesture. She has also undertaken study of clown to encourage joy and spontaneity in rehearsal and performance. Her current sabbatical work explores philosophies of non-violent social action, and proposes a reduction of the toleration of casual violence in wind band repertoire.
Dr. MacKay leads the University of Toronto Wind Conducting Symposium each July, and has been the guest instructor at other symposia in Canada and abroad. She has been honoured twice by the Canadian Band Association, receiving both their National and International Awards. Gillian earned degrees and diplomas from University of Lethbridge, University of Calgary, McGill University, and Northwestern University.
Dr. Mark Hopkins is a Professor in the School of Music at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. In addition to leading the Acadia University Wind Ensemble, Dr. Hopkins teaches undergraduate and graduate Conducting and Music Education foundation courses. Off campus, he co-conducts the Jack Long National Honour Band (formerly the Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra,) one of Canada's finest student wind ensembles. He is Artistic Director of the Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble (2008-2011, 2013-present), and is a member of the Board of Musicfest Canada, the largest music festival in North America.
A native of Toronto, Dr. Hopkins also taught music in high schools for twelve years, including seven years’ service as Chair of the Music Department at Upper Canada College. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the New England Conservatory while serving as Assistant to Frank L. Battisti and was awarded the Gunther Schuller Medal at graduation. His professional work as a Conductor spans the full range of ensembles and genres. He is Founding Music Director (Emeritus) of the Toronto Wind Orchestra and the Alberta Winds, freelance professional wind ensembles in Toronto and Calgary. While he was Artistic Director of the Lands End Chamber Ensemble the group won a Western Canada Music Award for the recording, “Four Degrees of Freedom”. In 2017 Arts Nova Scotia Awarded Dr. Hopkins an Established Artist Award for his work with the new music festival, Shattering the Silence, and in 2019 was awarded the National Band Award by the Canadian Band Association, “…in recognition of outstanding contributions to band at the educational, community, and professional level in Canada.”
A native of Toronto, Dr. Hopkins also taught music in high schools for twelve years, including seven years’ service as Chair of the Music Department at Upper Canada College. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the New England Conservatory while serving as Assistant to Frank L. Battisti and was awarded the Gunther Schuller Medal at graduation. His professional work as a Conductor spans the full range of ensembles and genres. He is Founding Music Director (Emeritus) of the Toronto Wind Orchestra and the Alberta Winds, freelance professional wind ensembles in Toronto and Calgary. While he was Artistic Director of the Lands End Chamber Ensemble the group won a Western Canada Music Award for the recording, “Four Degrees of Freedom”. In 2017 Arts Nova Scotia Awarded Dr. Hopkins an Established Artist Award for his work with the new music festival, Shattering the Silence, and in 2019 was awarded the National Band Award by the Canadian Band Association, “…in recognition of outstanding contributions to band at the educational, community, and professional level in Canada.”
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