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.
When you are ready to register, head over to our Registration page.
Choirs
Green Choir
Wednesday
7pm - 9pm
Lakeview United Church (Upper Hall)
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
Young Adult Choir
Tuesday
7pm - 9pm
Lakeview United Church (Sanctuary)
Directed By:
Erica Phare-Bergh
Are you a young adult between 18-30 years old? Do you miss singing because you can’t find a choir of singers your age? Then you’ve come to the right place! We sing a variety of genres from classical to pop and jazz. Come and meet other young singers who love to sing and want to hone their vocal skills. This is a beautiful group of talented, enthusiastic and openhearted young people who have formed a very welcoming community. There is no audition for Young Adult Choir.
3023 63 Ave SW
Treble 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
Concert Bands
Green Concert Band
Thursday
Directed By:
April Waterbury
7pm - 9pm
William Aberhart High School (Music room)
3009 Morley Trail NW
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:
Jenine Maystrowich
7pm - 9pm
William Aberhart High School (Band room)
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
West Island College
7410 Blackfoot Trail 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:
Jeff Graham
7pm - 9pm
West Island College
7410 Blackfoot Trail SE
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.
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.
Copper Jazz
Tuesday
Directed By:
Jonathan Bell
7pm - 9pm
Lord Beaverbrook High School
9019 Fairmount Drive SE
New this year, Copper Jazz will be added to our Westwinds offerings. Musicians should be playing at approximately a Grade 3 - 3.5 level and interested in expanding their knowledge of improvisation and repertoire.
Gold Jazz North
Wednesday
Directed By:
Jonathan Bell
7pm - 9pm
William Aberhart High School (Band room)
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
Tuesday
Directed By:
Heidi Behrenbruch
7pm - 9pm
William Aberhart High School (Music room)
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
Monday
Directed By:
Heidi Behrenbruch
7pm - 9pm
William Aberhart High School (Band room)
3009 Morley Trail NW
Blue Strings is for Green String ensemble graduates and players at the grade 0.5 - 2 levels (1 - 3 years of playing experience). 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.
Bronze Strings
Wednesday
Directed By:
Christina Visy
7pm - 9pm
River Park Church
3818 14A St SW
The Bronze Strings program is brand new to Westwinds this year and is geared towards members ready to move beyond Blue Strings and players at the Grade 3+ RCM level (with 3+ years of playing experience.) Members should be comfortable with shifting and have an emerging to developed vibrato. Members are asked to purchase their own instrument-specific (Violin/Viola/Cello/Double Bass) "All For Strings - Book 3" method book (brown in colour) for the first rehearsal. It can be found at local music retailers or online.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What stringed instruments are in the ensemble?:
Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass
Where can I obtain an 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 of the internet (eBay, Kijiji, Amazon, Temu, etc.) as they are typically constructed with inferior quality materials and require expensive repairs & set-up to bring them up to playing condition.
What will I learn in Bronze Strings?
● Care and maintenance of your instrument & bow
● Reading intermediate to advanced music & rhythms
● Ensemble playing at an intermediate to advancing level
● Advanced bowing techniques and refinement of tone, sounding point and intonation
● Off-the-string (spiccato) playing, slurs and proper bow distribution
● Continued development of vibrato and shifting.
● 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
