Happy 2014!

Hi, Everyone!

I've been thinking about what the NBBA can do for our membership, teachers, students and general lovers of concert bands and music this year.  Here's a quick breakdown:

• BandBlast 2014 - Fredericton, NB
• Website - continue to update
• Scholarship for National Youth Band finalists from NB to help with costs
• Canadian Band Association - semi-annual meeting is coming to Fredericton in November
• Relationship building with school districts

If any of you have any ideas for events, clinics, etc. please do let me know.

We are also looking for student representatives to be members on the NBBA Board of Directors.  Please let me know if you or someone you know are interested.   

In order to entice prospective members to join and to bring back former members, NBBA and CBA are pleased to present a complementary copy of the Canadian Winds Journal for your reading pleasure.  This journal is usually available to members only.  Here is the link:
 
http://www.canadianband.ca/canadianwindssam.html

Warm Regards,

Melissa

Melissa Akerley Meadows
President, NBBA
Vice President, CBA

 

BandBlast 2013, Thoughts on 2014 and New Web Site

Hello!

Just quick note to say that BandBlast 2013 was a success (despite some initial set backs and conflicts).  We had 53 participants at last count and had a very successful weekend.  My thanks to Doug Reece and the St. Mary's Band of Saint John (and their volunteers) as well as conductor John Wills for all of the hard work that took place to get this event rolling.  Personally, I really enjoyed myself and truly appreciated having the folks from KVHS there helping and participating as well.

As I look to 2014, the NBBA will be busy with Canadian Band Association (CBA) meetings, local meetings, helping the Fredericton Concert and Marching Band plan BandBlast 2014 and hosting the CBA in November in Fredericton.

The NBBA is always looking for volunteers and helpers for our events and meetings.  If you're interested, please contact bandblastnb@yahoo.ca.

NBBA also has a new website: 
http://nbbamusic.weebly.com/

Many thanks to Jeff MacQuarrie for getting this underway.   Check it out!  Suggestions on content are always welcome.

Cheers,

Melissa
Melissa Akerley Meadows, 
President, NBBA



 

BandBlast 2013 ???

Hi, Everyone:

I'm sitting at my desk taking a well-deserved break and pondering the future of BandBlast for this year.  We seem to be hitting roadblock after roadblock.  Challenges have been working around other member commitments (musically speaking) to find a weekend that works. Finding a conductor has been a worry as well.  We've had a few nibbles, but they haven't worked out, again, due to timing.  I'm up for finding a new timeframe besides the fall .... but ..... when?  Summer comes with it's own set of challenges with marches, parades and outdoor concerts.  Winter travelling is difficult.  Spring, well, we might have something there, but it's come and gone this year. 

I'm leaving this in the capable hands of the St. Mary's Band members (2013 host), hoping something will work out.

On a happier note, the National Youth Band is here next week at Mt. A University and then travel to Nova Scotia.  I'm looking forward to hearing them in Halifax on May 3 and to seeing my fellow CBA colleagues for the semi-annual meeting on May 4.

Warm Regards,

Melissa

Melissa Akerley Meadows, President
NBBA

NATIONAL YOUTH BAND IS COMING TO NEW BRUNSWICK!!!

The National Youth Band of Canada is a unique musical experience that provides Canada’s talented student musicians, ages 16-21, with an outstanding opportunity to perform and network with a renowned Canadian conductor, guest soloist and the country’s top young instrumentalists.  Since 1994, the National Youth Band of Canada has offered an unparalleled musical opportunity for outstanding Canadian instrumentalists, woodwind, brass and percussion on an annual basis.   Students from across Canada are united by their love of music, their desire to create a challenging concert program all within a positive atmosphere while creating lifelong friendships.  National Youth Band of Canada 2013 will take place April 27th - May 5th, 2013 at Mount Allison University in picturesque Sackville, New Brunswick and Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Guest conductor will be Jonathan Dagenais.  Yamaha Guest Artist will be D’Arcy Gray.

 Rehearsals for NYB 2013 will commence in Sackville, New Brunswick at Mount Allison University on Saturday, April 27, and end in Nova Scotia at Mount St. Vincent University. The ensemble will be featured at several performances in New Brunswick. In Nova Scotia they will perform at several area schools and will be the featured group in two final concerts at the Atlantic Festival of Music in Halifax. Participants will return home on Sunday, May 5, 2013.

Auditions must be post-marked no later than December 1, 2012.

The NBBA is proud to be sponsoring this event.

If you know of any student musicians that would be interested in auditioning, please pass this on to them. 

For more information, please contact nybmanager@hotmail.com or visit the Canadian Band Association website www.canadianband.ca.

Hope to see you at one of the many performances!

Cheers,

Melissa

Melissa Akerley Meadows, President NBBA

 

 

BandBlast 2012

Hi, Everyone:

BandBlast 2012 is almost upon us!  This year, the event will take place in Moncton, New Brunswick on October 26 - 28. 

I'm very pleased that the Riverview High School and the Riverview Arts Centre , 400 Whitepine Road Riverview, will partner with Band Blast 2012 to provide the rehearsal venue and Sunday afternoon concert. Riverview High School, home to the Codiac Concert Band/ Harmonie Codiac which rehearses there Tuesday evenings throughout the school year, will provide the practice rooms and other necessary facilities while the Riverview Arts Centre will sponsor the Sunday afternoon Band Blast 2012 Audience Appreciation Concert.

For more information please view the website at:

http://bandblast2012.weebly.com/index.html

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Cheers,

Melissa

CBA Meeting, May 2012

Hi, Folks:

I just returned from my very first CBA Board Meeting in Winnipeg, MB.  It was the first time that I had attended a meeting and also the first time I visited Winnipeg.  It was great to meet members from across Canada and listen to what they had to say about the state of music education in Canada. 

The highlight of my trip was definitely the Saturday evening concert that featured the Manitoba Junior and Intermediate Honors Bands as well as the National Youth Band.  What an amazing concert!  Youth talent is alive and kicking in Canada - and that's a good thing.

Speaking of the NYB, they are coming to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in 2013.  Late April, early May time frame.  It will be very exciting to co-host with the NSBA and we, at the NBBA, are all very excited about it.  More on that later as plans unfold ...

Don't forget to renew your 2012-13 membership!

If you have any questions about NBBA, please don't hesitate to contact me at bandblastnb@yahoo.ca, the official NBBA e-mail adress.

Take care,

Melissa

Melissa Akerley Meadows
President, NBBA

BandBlast 2011

Hi, Folks:

I'm pleased to announce that registration is open for BandBlast 2011.  This year, the Bathurst Community Band is hosting and it's going to be one of the best BandBlasts ever!

For more information and registration, please go to:

http://bandblast2011.weebly.com/how-to-find-us.html


Hope to see you there!
 
Melissa