Mu Alpha

• The Calgary area looks forward to a sold out performance of the “Girls in Jazz” concert on Saturday Feb1 at the National Music centre. This performance is a culmination of the one day workshop by women Jazz Educators and performers from across Canada- It is facilitated by our 2024 PBM Director of the year, Sister Kathie Van Lare, who received the David Peterkin award In October at Mu Alpha’s AGM. This award recognizes her continued commitment and dedication to the delivery of outstanding teaching and performance in Band.

• PBM Mu Alpha is excited to be involved in the first ever Conn Selmer workshop to be held in Canada. The one day workshop facilitated by Bro. Chris Herard, will occur in Calgary on May 16, and is open to  educators from across the dominion as well as NorthWestern USA, if they should so choose.

• Mu Alpha continues to strive to uphold the strong traditions of Phi Beta Mu through regular cooperation and support of not only the Alberta Band  Association but programs and educators throughout the province.

Thank you to Brother Bob Bailey for coordinating the nomination and selection of 2 wonderfully deserving students to receive funding to help participate in the National Youth Band. 

The recipients were

1. Rhianna Stafford, Calgary
2. Ian Liu, Edmonton

Congratulations to our two recipients and thank you to all who applied.

Our annual BBQ took place on Saturday, June 8 at the cottage of Brother Ray and Sister Roberta Baril on Pigeon Lake.  Thank you to the Baril’s and to all those who were able to attend!

MuAlpha conducts First Meeting of New Executive using ZOOM

MuAlpha Chapter NEWS —Trish Howe

To say that 2020 has been a different year may well be the biggest understatement of our time! That said, MuAlpha and it’s members have been finding great coping strategies and doing solid advocacy work to keep music safely in our schools and encourage band music in every capacity that we can safely do so, to help build better, healthier, more well balanced students. With every challenge that we’ve faced, our members have found new opportunities and new ways to keep music alive! As with most chapters, there were activities and events that we had to change, cancel, or postpone. MuAlpha took the opportunity to move to more virtual meetings and update some internal functions, to further our chapter’s goal of being seen doing the good work of PhiBetaMu within the community by joining with collaborative groups and coalitions, and to further the NAMM Foundation’s work in using chamber work to keep instrumental music in our schools until we can do band more safely. Some of our members took leadership roles in creating virtual spaces for teachers to gather and plan first in our province, then sharing ideas across the country and with our friends across the continent. As all of us go back into the band room and the classroom with our students, we wish our Brothers and Sisters much love, strength, and music, and leave you with the reminder that you serve a greater good by serving the young people of this world.

Stay safe, stay well, stay sane !

Katie Griffith is in her second year of teaching at Kenilworth Junior High in Edmonton. She is doing great work and her program is growing. – Darwin Krips, MuAlpha Board MemberMy experience at the Conn Selmer Institute was unlike any music PD I have ever experienced and the amount of knowledge, exposure, and inspiration that I gained over three days was extraordinary. The program is tailored to your needs based on where you are in your career. There are specific tracks for new versus experienced teachers, administrators, marching band directors, or orchestra conductors with the option to go into any of the classes not offered in your “track.”  You are given the opportunity to meet prominent musicians in our community and I was able to play in a sight-reading session with Michael Sweeney. Sessions that I went to included a course on fearless composing that you can take into any level of music class, something I have now gotten to do with my own students. We also got the chance to tour the Conn Selmer woodwind and brass factories where they make the instruments. Beyond the sessions, you get the opportunity to network with music teachers from all over the world. I have contacts now across North America and as far as Australia and Korea, all of whom have proven to be invaluable sources of information and help. CSI is a singular experience that every music teacher should participate in and one that can help to take any music program to the next level. – Katie Griffith

Here’s a brief report on the Special Project that was partially funded by Mu Alpha…

Who:  Scott Lang (www.scottlang.net)    What:  Student Leadership Workshop    Where:  St. Joseph High School – Red Deer    When:  Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 1-4 pm

Target Audience:  Band & Choir students from Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, Leadership Team and senior members from the Red Deer Royals Marching Show Band, and students and teachers representing 14 Central Alberta schools.

Summary:  During his three decades as a music educator, Scott has made advocacy for music and student leadership development his personal and professional mission. Scott spent two hours with everyone, and offered an extra hour to those who wished to stay behind in a smaller, more intimate group. His energy and enthusiasm were boundless as he entertained, educated and challenged the students to rise up and be their best selves. Huge thanks to Phi Beta Mu – Mu Alpha, Long & McQuade, Opus Music, and Music Direct for sponsoring this amazing event!

Jennifer Mann,  Director of Bands,  Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School,  Red Deer, Alberta

The Canadian Band Association is facilitating a consortium of ensembles that together will create a fund used to finance the CBA Howard Cable Memorial Prize in Composition for the purpose of encouraging the creation of high quality works for band from emerging Canadian composers. https://www.canadianband.org/howard-cable-prize-in-composition

MuAlpha is part of the Howard Cable Composition Competition Consortium whose winner this year is Danny Choi of Vancouver for his composition “Remembrance”.