REGINA — Talented band students from across Canada have arrived in Regina as they prepare for a week of rehearsals and performances. The Saskatchewan Band Association (SBA) is proud to welcome and host 50 outstanding young musicians from May 7 – 14. Organized by the Canadian Band Association, the National Youth Band of Canada (NYB) will perform around southern Saskatchewan during the week.
“We are very excited to host the NYB and all of the concerts as part of our Association’s 40th-anniversary celebrations,” says Suzanne Gorman, CEO of the Saskatchewan Band Association. “These outstanding youth musicians will entertain approximately 2,000 Saskatchewan students with 6 school-focused performances and also provide community entertainment with additional evening concerts during the week. It will be a challenging but exciting week for the group.”
The National Youth Band begins the week with rehearsals at the University of Regina to prepare for their tour performances. The NYB is being conducted by Dr. Leah McGray, director of Instrumental Studies for the State University of New York at Geneseo. Dr. McGray conducts the Geneseo Symphony Orchestra, and Geneseo Wind Ensemble, and teaches classes in conducting and theory. The tour will also feature Yamaha guest artist and tuba virtuoso Tom McCaslin.
To support the rebound of band programs following the pandemic, there is no charge for school groups attending the performances being hosted in Weyburn, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, and Regina from Wednesday, May 10 to Friday, May 12. Pre-booking is required and school groups wishing to book space at a performance can visit www.saskband.org.
Two special evening concerts are open to the public. On Wednesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. the NYB will perform at the University of Regina Theatre along with the Queen City Brass Band, directed by Mark Preece. On Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. the NYB performs in Yorkton at the Anne Portnuff Theatre with Yorkton’s All That Jazz Band, directed by Larry Pearen. Both evening concerts are open to all and admission is by donation.
Details on the performances, Conductor and soloist can be found at: saskband.org/National-Youth-Band-of-Canada/
