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

2011-12 Membership Drive

Hi, Everyone:


I'm attaching a membership form if you are interested in becoming a member of the NBBA. Please note that if you registered at BandBlast 2010 in October, you are already a member in good standing!

What are the benefits of being a member of the NBBA? Membership entities you to:

- 1 vote for individuals aged 18 or older at the AGM or other general meetings of the NBBA

- Affiliate membership in the Canadian Band Association (Access to newsletters, publications, events, education and more)

- Access to NBBA sponsored events

- Discounted registration fee to BandBlast and other NBBA sponsored events.

If you belong to an orchestra, band, ensemble or other group and are interested in taking advantage of the group rate, please bring this forward to your fellow members. A group membership is $25 per person. An individual membership is $40.

We offer $25 per person to students and seniors (aged 65+) as well.

Please do not send cash in the mail.

The NBBA is looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Warm Regards,
Melissa



Melissa Akerley Meadows
President, NBBA

New Brunswick Band Association Membership Form

2011 – 2012

(Membership Expires March 31, 2012)
Note: If you attended BandBlast 2010 in October, you are already a member for the current year.


Membership Types – Please indicate which membership you are applying for in the column below:

Individual Membership $40

Individual Student Membership $25

Individual Senior (Aged 65 and Older) $25

Orchestra, Band , Ensemble or Group membership (Please provide a complete listing of members) $25 per person

Please provide the following information:

Name



Address 1



Address 2



Municipality and Province



Postal Code



Home Phone



Cell/Mobile



E-mail Address



Name of Orchestra, Band, Ensemble or Group


Please remit your cheque (payable to New Brunswick Band Association) to:

Davin Sooley, NBBA Treasurer
166 Route 100
Nauwigewauk, NB
E5N 6Y9

Jaunary Update

Hi, Folks:

It's been awhile since I've posted.  I hope everyone had a great holiday and are ready to go in 2011.  The NBBA is in the process of finalizing it's new By-Laws and getting a new community bank account set up.  A great thank you goes to Bill Eberts, whose help and advice have been invaluable to us.

BandBlast 2010 was a huge success with over 40 musicians attending.  We also held the AGM that weekend and elected a new Board of Directors.  It was my pleasure to be elected President for the next 2 years.

BandBlast 2011 will be held in Bathurst and is tentatively scheduled for the October 14 weekend.  It should be AWESOME!!!  Hope to see you there!

Take care,

Melissa

Melissa Akerley Meadows
President, NBBA