Guest Conductor Application

​The Alberta Band Association is seeking conductors for our Junior Honour Band programs. In the past, the position of guest conductor has been filled by a nomination process. To help make these opportunities open to a wider demographic of Alberta educators, and to make the process more transparent to our membership, ABA will be moving forward with an open application to aid in our selection of guest conductors. Final selection will be made by the respective Junior Honour Band committees based upon this application. Each applicant will be considered for a term of 3 years, at which time the applicant will be eligible to re-apply.

The Junior Honour Bands provide an advanced performance experience for those students who demonstrate excellence in leadership, musicality and engagement in their home band programs. Leading music educators in the province guide the students through three days of fun and intensive rehearsals.  The experience culminates in a concert performance that the students have prepared in rehearsal. 

In collaboration with ABA staff and the Junior Honour Band committee the guest conductor will be responsible for:

• Selecting a program of repertoire to be approved by the Honour band committee. These selections should be of an appropriate skill level for the ensemble, include Canadian content, and reflect the diversity of our  honour band participants
• Working with ABA staff and the program coordinator to ensure smooth program implementation
• Following the schedule of events as provided by ABA staff
• Planing and leading a series of rehearsals, and a final concert, that are engaging, motivating, and most importantly create a positive experience for the program participants

Each year ABA runs a Southern Alberta Junior Honour Band (SAJHB), held in Calgary, and a Northern Junior Honour Band (NAJHB), held in Edmonton. It is customary to select a conductor for each ensemble that works and resides outside of that group's respective region.
 
Individuals interested in beings considered to conduct an Alberta Band Association Junior Honour Band must complete the following form. To be considered for the 2026 ensembles please complete your application no later than March 1st, 2025.

The 2025 Guest Conductors will be..........

Southern Alberta Junior Honour Band

Northern Alberta Junior Honour Band

​Kirk teaches at Didsbury High School in Didsbury, Alberta, a rural community north of Calgary where more than half of the school’s population is involved in the Music Program.  In addition to numerous local and regional performances, groups from Didsbury High School have travelled across Canada and internationally to Scotland, England and Spain.  Ensembles from DHS consistently receive high accolades for their concert and festival performances.  Prior to Didsbury Kirk taught at G.P. Vanier Secondary School in Courtenay, BC and at Revelstoke Secondary School.  Students from all of Kirk’s programs can be found across Western Canada performing and teaching music.
Kirk received his undergraduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan, and he has a Master of Music from the University of Missouri – Columbia.  In addition to his professional duties, Kirk has served on the Boards of the Alberta Band Association, the Canadian Band Association, and is currently active on the Boards of the Alberta Music Advocacy Alliance and the Coalition for Music Education in Canada.  During the summer Kirk serves as the Music Director for the Kamloops Interior Summer School of Music, a three-week K-12 summer music program.

​​Adam Mailman is the music director of Cochrane Music society’s adult concert and jazz band programs, and the band teacher at the Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts at Central Memorial High School in Calgary, Alberta. Adam exemplifies self-improvement through musical growth. His approach to pedagogy focuses on teaching the whole musician, not just the performer. Guest conducting ensembles at their band camps and rehearsals is a great joy for Adam, as he shares what he’s learned from his mentors about musical leadership, and transformational leadership with a wider audience. Adam is a leader in Calgary area professional learning through organizing professional development events for Calgary teachers throughout the year. He performs regularly with Alberta Winds Ensemble percussion section, where he has been section leader since the ensemble’s inception in 2003.

Past Conductors

Southern Alberta Junior Honour Band
2024 - Thomas Spila
2020 - Rob Speers, Edmonton
​2019 - Jennifer Mann, Red Deer
2018 - Jayne Montgomery, Edmonton
2017 - Thomas Spila
2015 - David Grimstead
2014 - Roberta Baril, Edmonton
​2013 - Victor Lopez
2012 - Rita Burns, Edmonton
2011 - Wayne Toews, Saskatoon
​2007 - Bob Bailey, Camrose
​2000 - Dennis Beck
​

Northern Alberta Junior Honour Band
2024 - Kathie Van Lare
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