Mike Sakatch Band Workshop

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.

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

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.  

Cheryl Ferguson received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance (French horn) and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND).  She has also done graduate work at Southern Oregon University and has earned a Master in Curriculum Studies (Music Education) at Acadia University (Nova Scotia). 

​Cheryl has taught music at every level, including K-6 general music classes, ten years running junior high band programs, and has been in her current position as Director of Bands at Fort Richmond Collegiate since 2006.  Cheryl is also the Director of Concert Band at Canadian Mennonite University.

​Cheryl has completed the Canadian Wind Conductor’s Development Program Levels I and II.  She is active as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor, including conducting the 2010 Manitoba Junior Provincial Honour Band, the 2017 Manitoba Intermediate Honour Band, and many regional Honour Bands across the Prairies.  She has adjudicated at band and chamber music festivals across the Prairie Provinces and in North Dakota.  She has also been a guest conductor for the Red Deer College Adult Concert Band, the Alberta Youth Wind Symphony, the Regina Catholic Schools Honour Band, and for the Prairielands Jazz Camp.

​The Fort Richmond Collegiate band program, under Cheryl’s direction, was awarded the Don Green Award at the 2011 Optimist Band Festival in Winnipeg.

​​Cheryl serves as French horn instructor at Canadian Mennonite University, and maintains a private studio of private French horn students.  She continues to perform with the Winnipeg Wind Ensemble and the Ferguson Family Brass Quartet. She has conducted the Adult Advanced Band at International Music Camp for many years. 

​​In 2016, Cheryl was invited to record a TED Talk on Motivating People toward Excellence.   The talk is available on YouTube and in the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aljb6ZXBwV0

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.

David Lum is a graduate of the University of Toronto (Mus. Bac. /Ed, B. Ed.) and completed the Graduate Diploma program in Wind Conducting at the University of Calgary in the summer of 2001. He is a past conductor of the Scarborough School’s Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony and has served as a Senior Administrator of the Scarborough Music Camp.

David was the Conductor of the Northern Ontario Music Festival Honor Band from 2008-2011 and is a past conductor of the Toronto Youth Concert Winds, and Assistant Conductor of the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra. In June of 2016, David was featured as a Guest Conductor for TYWO’s 25th Anniversary Tour of New York City, culminating in a performance at Carnegie Hall.

David served on the board of the Ontario Music Educators’ Association (OMEA) from 2000 to 2015. He initiated the creation of the Awards and Scholarships Committee in 2004 and served as Chair of the committee until 2014. David is a Past President of the Ontario Band Association (OBA), and currently serves as President of the Lambda Iota chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters’ Fraternity. Other professional affiliations/memberships include the Canadian Band Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), and the Canadian Music Educators’ Association (CMEA).

An active adjudicator and clinician, David has worked with students from across Canada and the United States and served as Adjudicator of the Senior Band Class for the CBC Music Classroom Challenge in December 2022.

David retired in 2021, after a 32-year career teaching with the Toronto District School Board and the former Scarborough Board of Education. During that time, he served as Curriculum Leader and Assistant Curriculum Leader of Music (Pathways) at Agincourt Collegiate Institute. Prior to that, he was the Band Director at Bliss Carman Sr. Public School. David was a sessional instructor of the Summer Additional Qualifications course in Instrumental Music for the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, from 2008-2014.

At York University, David Has served as Course Director/Conductor for the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and as instructor of a course in Instrumental Education for the Faculty of Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD). Currently, he teaches the Tuba/Euphonium studio at AMPD (2008-present) and is Course Director of the Music qualifications course (J/I/S) for the Faculty of Education at York.

David is a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician.

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)
2024 LaToya Webb (Wilfrid Laurier University) and Dr. Brian Sand (Banff Community High School)

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

How to book:

  1. Phone Chateau Canmore 403-678-6699 before February 14, 2025.
  2. Mention “GROUP NAME – The Mike Workshop 2025(GROUP ACCOUNT NUMBER – 338472)

Check in time is 4:00PM and check out time is 11:00AM.

  RoomCheck-in DateCheck Out DateRate: Single/Double
Suites with 2 bedsMarch 14March 16 (2 nights)$179.00 Plus Tax per night
Suites with 2 bedsMarch 14March 15 (1 night)$189.00 Plus Tax

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.

More Details

Register Here

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