The 2023 Guest Conductor will be Verna Ahner

Verna Ahner teaches at Springbank Middle School in the Rocky View School division. She is a clinician, mentor, adjudicator, and guest conductor in the Calgary area. In her 30-year career, she built successful music education programs in Spirit River, Airdrie and Springbank Alberta. Her teaching empowers young people to make music and create lasting communities and her bands have earned top awards at the provincial and national level. She was the recipient of the 2015 Mensa Canada Distinguished Educator Award. Verna has conducted bands and orchestras from elementary to professional. Her passion is creating independent musicians who make quality music together. Verna holds music degrees from USask and UCalgary and a M. Ed in Music Education from UVic. She believes in the power of music to create community and connection in this disconnected age and looks forward to welcoming students to the Alberta Band community. ​

Past Conductors

Southern Alberta Junior Honour Band
2020 - Rob Speers, Edmonton
​2019 - Jennifer Mann, Red Deer
2018 - Jayne Montgomery, Edmonton
2015 - David Grimstead
2014 - Roberta Baril, Edmonton
​2013 - Victor Lopez
2012 - Rita Burns, Edmonton
​2007 - Bob Bailey, Camrose
​2000 - Dennis Beck
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Northern Alberta Junior Honour Band
2020 - Nicole Haycock, Calgary
​2019 - Ken Rogers, Lethbridge
2018 - Jane McLauchlin, Calgary
2017 - Sarah Drew, Calgary
2016 - Kevin Willms, Calgary
2013 - Martin Kennedy, Okotoks
2007 - Brian Thorlacius, Calgary
2003 - Gillian MacKay, Toronto
2002 - Robert McLeod
​2001 - Barry Valleau

Alberta Junior Honour Band
​2022 - Roberta Baril, Edmonton

Central Alberta Junior Honour Band
​2020 - Brian Uzick, Okotoks