SIMCOE YOUTH BAND

Glowing Hearts Charity is thrilled to announce the creation of the Simcoe Youth Band starting in September 2023! This program is all about fun, community, connection, and a whole lot of learning! Geared toward beginners, participants will love learning fun, contemporary pieces in a variety of styles.

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What?

This is an inclusive youth community band open to all children in grades 6 to 8 that will run for two sessions per year (fall/winter and winter/spring).

 

Experience Level?

Pieces will be arranged and tailored specifically to the different levels of ability in the group.

 

Those who are complete beginners will start off by being able to choose between playing the clarinet, flute, alto saxophone, or trumpet. In the winter/spring session, there will be opportunities for some participants to switch to a different instrument within the same instrument family.

 

Those with more experience on their instruments will be given more challenging parts to keep all participants engaged.

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When and Where?

Rehearsals will take place at Eastview Secondary School in the music room on Monday evenings after the Simcoe Youth Choir rehearsal, with times/dates to be confirmed. 

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There will be a performance at the end of the fall/winter season, and another at the end of the winter/spring season.

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Cost?

TBD for the program includes a SYB t-shirt to keep for wearing at performances.

 

Glowing Hearts Charity will cover the cost of the program, t-shirt, and instrument rental for a limited number of participants needing assistance based on available funding.

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We do not charge ticket fees for performances, but donations are graciously accepted.

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Requirements:

• Instrument (rental information details to be added soon)

• Willingness to learn, participate, be respectful, and attend rehearsals to prepare for our final performance at the end of each session

• No previous experience or music reading ability needed

• No formal auditions, but participants may be asked to submit a video demonstrating your current skills, or be asked to come in for an instrument placement assessment

 

Band Director

Cynda Fleming is a musician, conductor, and composer based in Toronto with strong family roots in the Barrie area. She has a Bachelor of Music, a Bachelor of Education (with teaching qualifications in vocal and instrumental music), a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance, and a Master of Music in Education. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Musical Arts program at the University of Toronto where she has also studied vocal and advanced conducting courses.

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Cynda has extensive experience running school and community-based choirs and bands. Some of her band leading experiences include:

• Fanfare de Gryon - Ensemble des Jeunes, youth brass ensemble, Switzerland - Director

• Aiglon College Band - Director

• Woodbridge College Symphonic Band - Director

• University of Toronto Trumpet Ensemble - Director

• C-Flats Youth Jazz Ensemble - Composer, Arranger & Director

• Richmond Hill Concert Band - Guest Conductor

• Halton District School Board, Toronto District School Board - Guest Clinician

• Ontario Music Educators' Association Conference - Brass Clinician

• Hannaford Youth Program - Composer

• Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra - Manager, Education & Outreach

• Upcoming: International Trumpet Guild Conference, May 2023 -Trumpet Clinician and Judge

• Plus countless other experiences through her studies and teaching music in Switzerland, Kingston, and York Region

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