Westwinds Ensembles
Westwinds operates a wide variety of ensembles at multiple skill levels. In general, Westwinds members self-place themselves into a group based on their own experience, skill and comfort level. Entry into Jazz ensembles at the Gold level is at the discretion of the Ensemble Director. Choral Ensemble is an auditioned group.
Groups which do not audition may participate in a Placement Process which is designed to assess the member's musical ability, assist in determining whether they are in the right group, and to assess their place within that group.
Choirs
Green Choir
Wednesday
7pm - 9pm
Lakeview United Church
Directed By:
Erica Phare-Bergh
If you’ve always wanted to sing in a choir but have hesitated because you think you either “can’t sing” or you don’t know how to read music or maybe it’s been years since you’ve sung, this choir is for you! Join this wonderful community of new-to-singing singers. There is no audition for Green Choir. You’ll learn:
• to sing using a healthy vocal technique
• to hear the music in your head before you ever sing a note
• to read music and understand a vocal score (choir music)
Where else can you learn this if not here? But you can only be in the Green Choir for ONE year before moving to one of the other Westwind Choirs. So come and discover the many benefits of singing together. Your brain, your voice and your body will thank you!
3023 63 Ave SW
Treble Choir (formerly Women's Choir)
Wednesday
7pm - 9pm
McDougall United Church
Directed By:
Nicole Hounjet
The Treble Choir (formerly Women's Choir) is a performance ensemble for upper voiced (soprano and alto) intermediate singers. This choir is not auditioned, however a placement assessment may take place.
8516 Athabasca St SE
Young Adult Choir
Tuesday
7pm - 9pm
Lakeview United Church
Directed By:
Erica Phare-Bergh
This is Westwinds’ newest choral ensemble. Are you a young adult between 18-30 years old? Have you always wanted to sing or miss singing because you can’t find a choir of singers your age? Then you’ve come to the right place! We’ll sing a variety of genres from Bach to Beatles, from 16th to 21st Century, from classical to pop and jazz. Come and meet other young singers who love to sing and want to hone their vocal skills. There is no audition for Young Adult Choir.
3023 63 Ave SW
Concert Bands
Green Concert Band
Monday
Directed By:
Jenine Maystrowich
7pm - 9pm
Ernest Manning High School
20 Springborough Blvd SW
Green Concert Band is for first-time players, no experience necessary. Teaches the beginning basics, including how to read music, instrument and ensemble techniques.
*** This ensemble only accepts registrations in the Fall ***
Blue Concert Band
Thursday
Directed By:
Jane McLauchlin
7pm - 9pm
William Aberhart High School
3009 Morley Trail NW
Blue Concert Band is for Green Band graduates and players at the grade 0.5-2 levels.
NOTE: Members are asked to provide their own instrument-specific Standard of Excellence Book 1 (red) for the first rehearsal. It can be purchased from music stores or online.
Symphonic Band
Thursday
Directed By:
Kevin Willms
7pm - 9pm
Lord Beaverbrook High School
9019 Fairmount Drive SE
Symphonic Band is specifically designed for younger adults who have been part of their high school band or have had similar musical background and love to play! Members must be able to confidently sight-read band music at the grade 3 level and can expect to be challenged with music at that level and above
Jazz Bands
Blue Jazz
Monday
Directed By:
Kevin Willms
7pm - 9pm
Living Spirit United Church
629 - 49 Ave SW
The Blue Jazz Band is a fun, encouraging and introductory-level jazz experience.
We will be exploring and introducing fundamental jazz concepts and skills while focusing on having fun! We will introduce the concept of “swing,” jazz articulations and different jazz styles while working on popular jazz hits. Our intention is to run the band in a very relaxed way while learning these jazz ideas.
Exclusive to Blue Jazz: all instruments are welcome.
Performances may include community concerts at schools, jazz venues, festivals, and the Westwinds Big Band Dinner Dance.
Musicians are encouraged to have a minimum of 1 year of playing experience on their instrument and a firm understanding of basic music theory, in order to feel confident while exploring these new ideas.
Gold Jazz North
Wednesday
Directed By:
Jonathan Bell
7pm - 9pm
William Aberhart High School
3009 Morley Trail NW
Gold Jazz North is a performance ensemble for advanced musicians at the grade 4-5 level. Entry into this ensemble is at the discretion of the Director and is limited to one player per part. New Members: email the office at info@westwindsmusic.org before registering to ensure there is a space for you.
Gold Jazz South
Wednesday
Directed By:
Kathie Van Lare
7pm - 9pm
Henry Wise Wood High School
910 75 Ave SW
Gold Jazz South is a performance ensemble for advanced musicians at the grade 4-5 level. Entry into this ensemble is at the discretion of the Director and is limited to one player per part. New Members: email the office at info@westwindsmusic.org before registering to ensure there is a space for you.
Strings
Green Strings
Monday
Directed By:
Heidi Behrenbruch
7pm - 9pm
William Aberhart High School
3009 Morley Trail NW
The Green Strings program is a newer ensemble to Westwinds. Instruction on violin, viola, cello, or double bass is offered. No music experience is necessary.
*** This ensemble only accepts registrations in the Fall ***
What will I learn in Green Strings?
Green Strings strives to teach proper care and maintenance of your instrument, how to read music, good posture and playing position, good tone, and intonation, playing in an ensemble setting with others, confidence needed to play in front of others and tackle your own musical projects.
Required materials for the Green Strings Program:
• “All For Strings” - Book 1- Please purchase at music stores or online.
• Once members have decided which instrument they wish to work with, they will be asked to provide their own instrument (violin/viola/cello/double bass)
Where do I get my instrument?
It is recommended to rent or purchase an instrument from a specialized string shop such as V. A. Hill Fine Strings, Aeolian Strings, or A. Pratte Guitars & Strings. They offer monthly rentals, rent-to-own programs and purchasing. These shops stock quality instruments that are professionally set up to ensure your success as a player. If you have an older instrument that you have inherited, they are able to set it up and refurbish it. It is not recommended to purchase an instrument off the internet (eBay, Kijiji, Amazon, Temu, etc.) as they typically are constructed with inferior quality materials and require expensive repairs & set-up to bring them up to playing condition.
Blue Strings
Wednesday
Directed By:
Christina Visy
7pm - 9pm
River Park Church
3818 14a Street SW
The Blue String program is brand new to Westwinds. Blue Strings is for Green String ensemble graduates and players at the grade 0.5 - 2 levels (1 - 3 years of playing experience.) Members are asked to provide their own instrument specific (violin/viola/cello/double bass) 'All For Strings - Book 2' (purple) for the first rehearsal. It can be purchased at music stores or online. It is recommended to rent or purchase an instrument from a specialized string shop such as V. A. Hill Fine Strings, Aeolian Strings, or A. Pratte Guitars & Strings. They offer monthly rentals, rent-to-own programs and purchasing. These shops stock quality instruments that are professionally set up to ensure your success as a player. If you have an older instrument that you have inherited, they are able to set it up and refurbish it. It is not recommended to purchase an instrument off of the internet (eBay, Kijiji, Amazon, Temu, etc.) as they typically are constructed with inferior quality materials and require expensive repairs & set-up to bring them up to playing condition.
What will I learn in Blue Strings? Care and maintenance of your instrument, reading music & rhythms, ensemble playing at an intermediate level, intermediate bowing techniques and refinement of tone, sounding point and intonation, off-the-string (spiccato) playing, slurs and proper bow distribution, developing a vibrato, being comfortable on stage when performing, appreciating the social value of participation and orchestral playing as a form of personal enrichment, self-expression, and entertainment, developing physical and mental discipline, enjoying a unique musical endeavour with like-minded peers.
