The 2024 Guest Conductors will be..........

Southern Alberta Junior Honour Band

Northern Alberta Junior Honour Band

​​​Mr. Spila, a graduate of the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Education degree majoring in secondary music, recently retired after having taught music at the Elementary, Jr., & Sr. High School levels for a total of 44 years. The last 39 of those were spent at Camrose Composite High School where the music program consisted of concert and jazz bands, mixed chorus, chamber choir and vocal jazz, as well as beginner and advanced guitar. Student groups under his direction have been recognized at regional, provincial, and national levels. He has been honoured by the Alberta Government, the Governor General of Canada, by Alberta Education, and by Alberta’s band and choral communities. Mr. Spila has been active as an adjudicator, has been a guest conductor at weekend and summer workshops, and has served on the boards of the Alberta Band Association and Choir Alberta. Most recently he was recognized by the Alberta Band Association with an Honorary Lifetime Award. He is currently the director of the Camrose & District Community Band, and has been since its inception in 1983.

​Kathie Van Lare, born and raised in Calgary, has been teaching music in the Calgary area for 35 years. Active as a guest conductor and adjudicator throughout much of Western Canada Kathie also directs two area community bands: Foothills Music Society Concert Band and the Westwinds Music Society Gold Jazz South Big Band. Kathie is currently Co-President of Women Band Directors International – Alberta Chapter and is also Director of the newly formed Calgary Women’s Jazz Orchestra. Bands under Kathie’s direction have been the recipients of several awards and she has been the recipient of various personal awards. From the Alberta Band Association: the “Elkhorn Award” as the Band Director of the Year, the “Vondis Miller Legacy Award” and an ABA Honorary Lifetime Membership. She’s a Laureate in John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor and also received the “Scroll of Excellence” from Women Band Directors International“. Besides music, Kathie enjoys woodworking, golf and is an avid baseball fan. Go Cardinals!

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
2023 - Verna Ahner

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