March 14-15, 2025
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 Standard registration.
$70 Early Bird registration – before February 21, 2025
The Event
The seventeenth 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, Cheryl Ferguson (Canadian Mennonite University) and David Lum (York University).
“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 at the Canmore Seniors Centre Creekside Hall in downtown Canmore (609 9th Street). Our rhythm section will lay down the beat and all are welcome to join in or simply listen and socialize with friends. Beer and wine $5 CASH ONLY.
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”. Adam Mailman is our advisor now, providing music and instrument support and his wonderful inspiration.
The Conductors

In 2013, Cheryl Ferguson received the Manitoba Band Association Award of Distinction recognizing an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to music education in Manitoba. In 2014, she received the I. Keith Mann Outstanding Band Director Award, national recognition given to one band director in Canada per year. Cheryl was also awarded the Community Hero Award from the Manitoba Legislative Assembly in 2018.
In 2023, Cheryl was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for outstanding service to the community and prioritizes volunteerism in her free time.

David Lum received an Honorary Life Membership from the Ontario Band Association in 2009 and in May of the same year, was awarded the I. Keith Mann Outstanding Band Director Award at MusicFest Canada’s “The Nationals”. In December 2012, he was inducted as a Laureate of the Legion of Honor for the John Philip Sousa Society. In November of 2022, David was awarded an Honorary Life Membership from the Ontario Music Educators’ Association.
Schedule
Friday
6:30-7:00pm 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 Seniors Centre)
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
A block of rooms has been reserved at:
Chateau Canmore – 1718 Bow Valley Trail
Group Cutoff Date is February 14, 2025
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.)