Mike Sakatch Band Workshop

March 1-2, 2024
Join us Friday evening and all-day Saturday for full concert band rehearsals followed by a concert Saturday late afternoon.

Venue:
Canmore Collegiate High School

Two Bands 
Vivace:  Grade 4.5 – 5
Dolce:  Grade 3 – 4

Thank you to Long & McQuade for your generous support of The Mike!

Cost:

$80 for standard registration.

The Event

The sixteenth annual Mike Sakatch Concert Band Workshop is hosted by the Valley Winds Music Association (Canmore) and Cochrane Music Society (Cochrane). The entire concert band workshop, Friday evening and all-day Saturday, will be held in full ensemble under the direction of our guest conductors, Dr. Brian Sand (Banff Community High School) and Dr. LaToya Webb.

“This was my first time and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed myself! Will definitely be back next year! The music selection was superb and made for one of the most enjoyable workshops/concerts I’ve ever attended.”

After the Friday evening sight reading session, everyone is invited to a party featuring our own jazz jam at the Canmore Miners Union Hall. Our rhythm section will lay down the beat and all are welcome to join in or simply listen and socialize with friends. Bar service provided by Pine Tree Players – nice arts collaboration!

On Saturday, after a full day of rehearsals, the workshop will close with an informal (no dress code) concert offered to the public.

Mike Sakatch’s wonderful talent, dedication, and infectious good humour enriched the lives of thousands of musicians and we participants of “The Mike” count ourselves among them. The workshop has had continued success because of the driving force of Mike. He knew the importance of enhancing adult music programming by offering exciting learning opportunities with excellent guest directors in an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie.

Through the years the workshop grew into a two-band format with participants from Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Some guest directors, when contacted said, “I have heard about this wonderful workshop and wanted to come someday. I am so glad you have invited me!”  We have become “known”!

While we miss our wonderful friend and mentor, we honour him and keep his memory by continuing the “Mike Sakatch Band Workshop” – affectionately known as “The Mike”.

From Guest Conductors:

“I enjoyed every second of the West Valley Winds Workshop weekend.  I found the people amazing to work with, always open and hungry for new ideas, and game to play and practice very hard.  The organization was outstanding, the collegial atmosphere was excellent. I think everyone involved had an extraordinary musical experience.” Dr. Mark Hopkins

“The West Valley Winds Workshop is a one of a kind experience for adult musicians to experience the thrill of making music in a very short period of time.  The rehearsals were intense, but at the same time lighthearted and fun, and what both ensembles were able to achieve in this short period of time was simply amazing.  I was inspired by all those who participated, and It was a true honor to serve as one of the conductors this year.” 
Dr. Gerard Morris

“In just 48 hours, go from sight-reading to performance readiness! It’s an experience that is as musically exhilarating as it is beautiful set in the Rockies.” Dr. Lawrence Stoffel

From Participants:

“Wonderful conductors! Have been to many other workshops and these two were among the best I have seen.”

“You chose the best conductors ever– they were both super- positive, passionate, fun, & great teachers.  I learned a lot and it made me more committed and inspired to continue with music and play better.”  

“This was my first time and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed myself! Will definitely be back next year! The music selection was superb and made for one of the most enjoyable workshops/concerts I’ve ever attended.”

“Great directors! I always look forward to these workshops to listen and learn from such varied backgrounds and experiences these directors bring to the workshop. How wonderfully fortunate we are to be able to have this kind of forum to broaden our musical journey and experience!”

The Conductors

Dr. Brian Sand has performed trumpet with many of Canada’s leading symphonic ensembles as well as in several musicals, jazz ensembles, pit orchestras, operas, ballets, chamber ensembles, bands, wind ensembles, rock bands, choirs, summer festivals and has been featured as soloist throughout Canada and the U.S.

Dr. Sand studied trumpet privately with many of the finest performers of our time including Adolf “Bud” Herseth, Mario Guarneri, Boyde Hood, Don Greene, Bo Nilsson, Håkan Hardenberger, Markus Stockhausen, Thomas Stevens, James Thompson, Paul Merkelo, Allan Dean and Louis Ranger among many others.

As an educator Dr. Sand has taught in several K-12 schools and has been on the faculties of McGill University, McGill Conservatory, Music Academy of the West, Grant MacEwan University, Alberta College Conservatory and Memorial University of Newfoundland where he served as Music Director for the MUN Jazz Ensemble. Dr. Sand has adjudicated for several festivals throughout Canada and the United States including Kiwanis Festivals and was Festival Director for Music Maestro Please (Philadelphia, PA). Dr. Sand has also presented masterclasses and clinics at hundreds of high schools, colleges and universities throughout North America. In addition to trumpet Dr. Sand has studied and taught voice, conducting and music education at several institutions. Additional studies include seminars at Northwestern University, Raphael Méndez Brass Institute, Aspen Music Festival, Music Academy of the West as Fellow, Chosen Vale Center for Advanced Musical Studies, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, USC, and the Banff Centre. Dr. Sand holds degrees from the University of Alberta, McGill University, University of Victoria, Yale University and is a certified teacher.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Dr. LaToya A. Webb serves as Assistant Professor of Music, Director of the Wind Orchestra, and Coordinator of Winds, Brass, and Percussion at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. Before joining the Laurier Faculty of Music, she served as Assistant Professor of Practice in Conducting and Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Texas at Austin. She was also an Instructor of Wind Conducting at Auburn and Grambling State University.

Before teaching at the university level, Dr. Webb served as a Music Director and Activities/Events Coordinator at Somerset Prep Academy in Washington, D.C., and as a band director for Richmond, VA, Public Schools. Dr. Webb hold degrees from Norfolk State University, George Mason University, and Auburn University. An internationally sought-after educator and conductor, she is an active researcher, lecturer, author, adjudicator, and guest conductor appearing at state, national, and international conferences, and events. Many of her research publications and works are in the Music Educators Journal, The Recorder, and the Teaching Music Magazine. Dr. Webb is co-curator of a GIA Publications, Inc., book titled, “GO ON: Tell Your Story: Voices of Women Band Directors.” This book is a blueprint and guide to reading digestible, yet powerful stories from women band directors of all teaching levels and mediums. 

Webb has earned distinguished honors as a 2017 College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Mike Moss Diversity Conducting Fellow, a 2018 CBDNA/National Band Association Masterclass Conducting Fellow, a 2019 U.S. Army Band Conducting Fellow, and a 2019 Midwest Clinic Reynolds Conducting Institute Fellow. As a passionate advocate for improving educational opportunities through diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, Dr. Webb serves on the Composer Project Advisory Board for United Sound, Inc. She is also cofounder of I See You: Affirming Representation in Music, an organization aimed to affirm Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in all fields of music. It is also a resource for people who identify differently to learn  of the BIPOC experiences to navigate and champion a more equitable environment for all.  

Dr. Webb is actively involved in several professional organizations and initiatives that support music education and performance.

2006  Dr. Mark Hopkins (University of Calgary)
2007 Dr. Dale Lonis (Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra)
2008 Dr. Gillian Mackay (University of Toronto)
2009 Mr. Patrick Winters (Eastern Washington University)
2010 Mr. Clinton Marshall (Prosperity, South Carolina)
2011 Mr. Gareth Jones (University of Calgary)
2012 Mr. Colin Clarke (Toronto, Ontario)
2013 Dr. Tony Mazzaferro (Fullerton College) and Mr. Ray Baril (Grant MacEwan University, Edmonton)
2014 Mr. Craig Kirchhoff (University of Minnesota) and Dr. Robert Taylor (University of British Columbia)
2915 Dr. Mark Hopkins (Acadia University) and Dr. Gerard Morris (University of Puget Sound)
2016 Dr. Low Chee Meng (University of Lethbridge) and Dr. Darrin Oehlerking (University of Saskatchewan)
2017 Dr. Jason Caslor (Arizona State University) and Dr. Matthew Roeder (University of Colorado, Boulder)
2018 Dr. Lawrence Stoffel (California State University, Northridge) and Dr. Michael Keddy (University of Victoria)
2019 Dr. Wendy McCallum (Brandon University) and Dr. James Smart (University of Montana)
2020 Dr. Jacqueline Dawson (University of Manitoba) and Mr. Douglas Macaulay (West Vancouver Youth Band)

Schedule

Friday
6:15-7:00pm                  Set Up  – Please help!
7:00pm                          Welcome – In the Theatre
7:30-9:30pm                  Rehearsal Sight Reading
9:30pm – 12:00              Jazz Jam Social  (Canmore Miners’ Union Hall)     

Saturday
8:30am-11:30am           Rehearsal – with coffee break (yum!)
11:30am – 1:00pm         Lunch (Lunch not included – a variety of local restaurants available)
1:00 – 4:00pm               Rehearsal – with coffee break (more yum!)
4:00 – 4:30pm               Dolce Sound Check on stage
5:00pm                         Concert – informal – no dress code

Go green! Bring a refillable water bottle.

Bring a seat cushion if needed. Those chairs don’t improve with age.

Questions? Email cochranemusicsociety@gmail.com

Accommodations

Any unreseved rooms in our block of rooms at the Canmore Inn & Suites, 1402 – Bow Valley Trail, Canmore have been released back to the hotel as of February 8th. Please contact the hotel directly for current rates and availability.

How to book:

  1. Go to Canmore Inn & Suites and click Book.
  2. Select your dates of stay.
  3. Choose the room type and drop-down menu to access your special rate and make your reservation.

You can also call the front desk at 1-403-609-4656 or toll free at 1-888-678-4656 24/7 for any inquiries.
Check in time is 4:00PM and check out is at 11:00AM.

Deposit: Guests are required to provide a valid credit card at the time of booking as well as at check-in.
Payment: Guests are responsible for their own rooms & incidentals.
Late Check-In: If you expect to go directly to the workshop and check in at the hotel afterward, be sure to discuss late arrival with the reservation desk.

Register Here

(Or print and mail this form)

Please help by registering as soon as you know you can commit. It makes a huge difference!
When you register, you will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. If you do not receive that email, please contact cochranemusicsociety@gmail.com (The most common problem is not entering your postal code in the credit card information.)