(204) 889-9332
École Charleswood School Band Program
Life lessons through the vehicle of a quality instrumental music education.
Our Events
Friday, November 8th (ÉCS Gymnasium/Time TBA)
Remembrance Day Service - Grade 8 Concert Band
Our Grade 8 Band will be performing O Canada, and one or two other lyrical selections at our annual Remembrance Day Service. As well, one or more of our trumpet players will be performing the Last Post.
Thursday, December 5th (ÉCS Gymnasium/6:30 PM)
Winter Band Concert - All Bands
All of our bands will be performing at our annual Winter Band Concert. We are currently exploring a variety of exciting options in terms of the performance venue. More specific information will be shared with parent(s)/guardian(s) as soon as possible.
Thursday, February 20th (RBC Convention Centre/Time TBA)
MBA Concert Band Festival - Grade 8 Concert Band
Our Grade 8 Band will be performing at the MBA Concert Band Festival at the RBC Convention Centre.
Thursday, February 27th (Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain/Time TBA)
MBA Jazz Band Festival - Grade 8 Jazz Ensemble
Our Grade 8 Jazz Ensemble will be performing at the MBA Jazz Band Festival at Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain.
Sunday, April 13th - Thursday, April 17th
Cantando Band Festival - Grade 8 Concert Band
Our Grade 8 Concert Band will be traveling to the Cantando Band Festival in Edmonton, Alberta. We'll be performing in a world-class concert hall, learning from working with one of the several guest conductors who are flown-in from all over the continent, learning from professional musicians in sectionals, listening to both semi-professional and amateur ensembles, and taking-part in a wide variety of fun and educational team-building activities.
Monday, May 12th & Tuesday, May 13th
Camp Arnes Band Workshops - Grade 7 Concert Band
Our Grade 7 Concert Band will be traveling to Camp Arnes to take part in sectionals with professional musicians, full band rehearsals with a guest conductor, and to engage in a variety of fun and educational team-building activities.
Tuesday, May 13th & Wednesday, May 14th
Camp Arnes Band Workshops - Grade 6 Concert Band
Our Grade 6 Concert Band will be traveling to Camp Arnes to take part in sectionals with professional musicians, full band rehearsals with a guest conductor, and to engage in a variety of fun and educational team-building activities.
First Week of June (ÉCS Gymnasium/Time TBA)
Summer Band Concert
All of our bands will be performing at our annual Summer Band Concert. More specific information with regard to exact date and time will be shared with parent(s)/guardian(s) as soon as possible.
Our Ensembles
Grade 6 Concert Band (Beginning Band)
In Grade 6 Band, students learn the basics of how to play their instrument with a characteristic tone quality, and how to successfully integrate their playing into that of the ensemble. We begin our musical journey with a variety of playing-by-ear exercises, which gradually evolves into reading music by playing unison etudes out of a band method book, and then, finally, playing basic sheet music with different parts. No previous musical experience is necessary to participate.
Grade 8 Concert Band
In Grade 8 Band, students continue the work that they started in Grade 7 Band, continuing to expand their range and rhythmic vocabulary, learning new scales, and applying an ever-increasing amount of control, expression, and nuance into their playing. The students have the opportunity to apply these skills and concepts in Level 3 Band literature. Students must have taken Grade 7 Band in order to take Grade 8 Band.
Grade 7 Concert Band
In Grade 7 Band, students learn how to expand both their range and rhythmic vocabulary, play in a handful of different keys (Concert Bb, Eb, and F), and play with increased control and expression. The students have the opportunity to apply these skills and concepts in Level 2 Band literature. Students must have taken Grade 6 Band in order to take Grade 7 Band.
ÉCS Jazz Ensemble
The ÉCS Jazz Ensemble provides an opportunity for Grade 7 and 8 Band students to play in an authentic big band. Depending on both interest and available time, there may be a Grade 7 Jazz Ensemble and a Grade 8 Jazz Ensemble.
Why Band (Music)?
Here's what the studies say...
1) Music enhances the process of learning. The systems they nourish, which include our integrated sensory, attention, cognitive, emotional and motor capacities, are shown to be the driving forces behind all other learning. ~ Konrad, R.R., Empathy, Arts and Social Studies
2) High school music students have been shown to hold higher grade point averages (GPA) than non-musicians in the same school. ~ National Educational Longitudinal Study
3) According to the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988, music students received more academic honors and awards than non-music students. A higher percentage of music participants received As, As/Bs, and Bs than non-music participants. ~ National Center for Education Statistics, Washington D.C.
4) Students who participate in school band or orchestra have the lowest levels of current and lifelong use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs among any group in our society. ~ H. Con. Res. 266, United States Senate
5) A study of 7,500 university students revealed that music majors scored the highest reading scores among all majors including English, biology, chemistry and math. ~ The Case for Music in the Schools, Phi Delta Kappa
6) Music majors are the most likely group of college grads to be admitted to medical school. ~ Lewis Thomas, Case for Music in the Schools, Phi Delta Kappa
Private Lessons
Private lessons with a qualified and dedicated instructor are an excellent way to enrich your young musician's experience in Band.
Although they are a great idea for all students, private lessons are especially well-suited for students who are new to their instruments (beginners and/or students who have moved to a new instrument), or students who are thinking about preparing an audition for the Manitoba Provincial Honor Band.
Please feel free to click on the button below for a list of such instructors on all of the instruments offered at ÉCS.
