Panther Guitar and Band Program

2024-25 Band Program Dates

The band program will be split into 2 separate bands this year so Portage West will include YQS, LVS, and FLR and Portage East will include CVS, EAM, and OVS. Some of the dates will be different for each of the bands. 


Grade 7 Kickstart (October 16) - Students will be bussed to CVS for a day of clinics specialized for each instrument. This day is intended as a way to get new players specific individualized instruction and feedback on their instruments. 

 

Full Band Rehearsals (Dates listed below) - Students will be bussed to one rehearsal space (East will be at CVS, West will be at YQS) for the afternoon (usually) to rehearse as a complete band once per month. This is important for students to learn full band concepts that I am unable to address in small group settings. 

 West Dates                                     East Dates (OVS)  

Oct 23 PM                                            Oct 30 PM     

Nov 21 PM                                           Nov 28 PM     

Dec 5 AM @ CVS                                  Dec 5 PM     

Jan 21 PM                                              Jan 16 PM     

Feb 6 PM                                               Feb 12 PM     

Mar 6 PM                                               Mar 12 PM     

Apr 21 PM                                              Apr 16 PM     

May 21 AM @ CVS                                 May 21 PM


Winter Band Concert (December 5) - Students will perform at an evening concert (7-8pm) for family and friends. This gives students the opportunity to showcase their hard work and develop performance skills. Seats will be set aside for any school staff/admin that wish to show their support for the evening. 


High School Dress Rehearsal (December 10) - Grade 8 students will be bussed to the Glesby Center for the afternoon to watch the high school dress rehearsal and a presentation about the high school band program. I will need an EA for each bus. 


Symphony/Live Music Field Trip (Date TBD) - Students will have the opportunity to view a live professional musical performance for the day in the new year. There will be a separate trip for grade 7s and 8s. I will need an EA for each bus. 


Level 1 Band Festival (Date TBD) - Students will travel to a band festival (East will go to Winnipeg and West will go to Brandon) to perform on stage in front of a panel of adjudicators and a live audience. Students will then have the opportunity to work in a clinic with one of the adjudicators to work on developing musically as a group. I will need an EA for each bus.
Grade 8 Band Camp (Early May, Date TBD) - Band and Guitar grade 8 students will be travelling to Camp Manitou for an overnight music camp. Students will have the opportunity to work with professional musicians, develop as a band, and build relationships amongst each other in an unplugged environment. We will need chaperones from each school (male and female if possible). Any interested staff will be directed to admin for approval.


Spring Concert (May 21) - Students will perform at an evening concert (7-8pm) for family and friends. This gives students the opportunity to showcase their hard work from the year and practice performance skills. Seats will be set aside for any school staff/admin that wish to show their support for the evening.