BAND - COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 10/20/30 COURSES
Instrumental Music 10/20/30 are non-semestered courses. These music-training courses focus on developing musicianship, instrument technique, music theory, music history and ear training. Opportunities to compose and perform are also featured. There will be performance, theoretical, interpretive and historical aspects to this course.
BAND 15/25/35 COURSES
Band 15/25/35 are co-curricular courses to Instrumental Music 10/20/30. Concert Band provides an opportunity for the musician to explore a variety of wind band literature in a large ensemble setting. The General Learning Outcomes include: applying personal practice strategies in a wind band setting, rehearse and perform repertoire in a large ensemble, explore and apply elements of quality performance and performance etiquette. The Concert Band participates in a variety of performance activities including concerts, festivals, workshops and tours.
INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ 15/25/35 COURSES
Instrumental Jazz 15/25/35 is a co-curricular program that introduces instrumentalists to all facets of performing in a Jazz Ensemble. Blues, Swing, Latin, and Jazz-Rock will be genres studied. Registration is by audition only. The Jazz Band participates in a variety of performance activities including concerts, festivals, workshops and tours.
Ken Thackrey – Director of Bands
Mr. Ken Thackrey has over 20 years of teaching experience with the Calgary Board of Education. He has taught at all levels, K through 12 and has spent over 10 years at John G. Diefenbaker High School, in Calgary AB, where he is the director of two jazz bands, and 2 concert bands. The band program at Diefenbaker is an all-encompassing approach to music learning through the study of instrumental techniques, theoretical and historical aspects and an in-depth approach to ensemble playing and performance. The most important part of the program is that students truly enjoy what they are performing because they perform well.
Ken was granted a Bachelor of Music (1995) and a Bachelor of Education (1996) from the University of Calgary where he participated in multiple ensembles during his studies. He has worked with the Calgary Round-Up Band for almost 10 years in the past where he was the trombone instructor then slowly climbed the ladder and became the Director. Currently, Ken is a brass instructor with the Calgary Stampede Showband.
