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Concert Bands at Notre Dame Collegiate are our main instrumental program. We host four concert bands; Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, and Senior (Grades 10 through 12). Each of our Concert Bands meet during the school day, but their programs increase in challenge and depth of musicking. These programs are instructed by the lead instructor in the Fine Arts, Joel Windsor.
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As of August 27, 2020, playing of musical instruments in classtime is only acceptable under very strict circumstances, including proper instrument protective equipment such as instrument covers. Therefore in-class playing will not begin until an adequate amount of this protective gear has arrived. In the meantime and following its arrival, part of the learning structure of concert bands will be to use the instruments in the classroom without playing them, but expecting students to be playing (and recording) them at home. Tools are being developed in advance of the school year to ensure that even in this unusual circumstance, students will be able to play and learn a wind instrument in a way they will enjoy.
For students who are selecting the Live Streaming option, what is taught in the regular classroom is also what will be live streamed. Students will be expected to interact with their instruments in the same manner as students who are at the school. |
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We also anticipate that instruction will be phased in, beginning with outdoor instruction, and evolving into limited-time indoor instruction. If outdoor instruction takes place, special instructions will be given to those students who are live streaming to complete similar if not identical tasks to those students in the outdoor learning scenario. We are making all our plans based on the eventuality that full in-person musical performances will again resume. It is our expectation that at that point in time, live streamed lessons will stop in favour of the far superior learning experiences in person.
Beginning Band (Grade 7 Band)
This plan to use instruments at the school in September is actually a good thing for beginning musicians. There will need to be a large focus on hygiene, instrument maintenance, body mechanics, and fundamental technical skills to begin band before wind playing can truly begin. In terms of selecting instruments, a strategy is being developed to help students make those selections, and to rent those instruments easily and safely.
It should be noted that if a student makes an instrument selection, and after a month of trying it out it turns out to have been the wrong choice, they are not forced to continue to play an instrument they don’t like. Solutions will be found to ensure your student loves their instrument and playing it.
It should be noted that if a student makes an instrument selection, and after a month of trying it out it turns out to have been the wrong choice, they are not forced to continue to play an instrument they don’t like. Solutions will be found to ensure your student loves their instrument and playing it.
Jazz Bands, sometimes referred to as Stage Bands, are known as the Woodshedders. At the junior high grade levels, these students participate in a Big Band format similar in instrumentation made popular by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra. They will often play some rock, pop, swing and even latin tunes arranged for their group. Senior high students will elect to play either in a Big Band, or rather in small jazz combos characteristic of coffee shops or blues club venues. While both age levels have a strong focus on improvisation, the senior students in jazz combos are constantly improvising by reading from the Real Books of jazz standards, as well as transcribing their own musical selections. These students are also instructed by Joel Windsor.
Stage Bands will begin in late September or early October of 2020 when appropriate protective gear has arrived. Stage Bands tend to be an appropriate size for distancing protocols, and so we anticipate full ensemble playing as soon as it starts up. Live Streaming may be made available for this ensemble should it be deemed necessary.
Stage Bands will begin in late September or early October of 2020 when appropriate protective gear has arrived. Stage Bands tend to be an appropriate size for distancing protocols, and so we anticipate full ensemble playing as soon as it starts up. Live Streaming may be made available for this ensemble should it be deemed necessary.
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Notre Dame Collegiate is one of only a handful of educational institutions, high school or post-secondary, that have an active Steel Pan program. Panorama is our student ensemble with students from Grades 7 through 12. This ensemble is an award-winning ensemble, and is in high demand in our community and area for live performances.
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Steel Pan Ensembles can continue as they have in the past, although there will be no Live Streaming option. Depending on demand, we will explore the possibility of having two Steel Pan Ensembles, one for Junior High and one for Senior High, as a method of ensuring appropriate safety measures including social distancing, hygiene, and cleaning practices.
Steel Pan musicians will be assigned one instrument they will interact with, and will need to have their own mallets that are not to be shared with anyone else. One set of each of these mallets will be made available to each student.
Steel Pan musicians will be assigned one instrument they will interact with, and will need to have their own mallets that are not to be shared with anyone else. One set of each of these mallets will be made available to each student.
Notre Dame Collegiate is also one of only a handful of secondary schools that have an active Strings program in Alberta. The St. Cecilia String Ensemble was made possible through a Band-Aid Grant from MusiCounts, and Notre Dame Collegiate is very grateful for this contribution. The St. Cecilia String Ensemble consists of individuals in Grades 7 through 12 playing violin, viola, cello or double bass.
The String Ensemble can continue as it has in the past. Students can now earn High School credit for this course and junior high students earn marks on their report card as well. Social Distancing parameters and other safety procedures are easily maintained in this ensemble. Violins and violas are rented through Long & McQuade. There is a limited number of cellos available rented through Notre Dame Collegiate, but they are also available for rental through Long & McQuade. String Bass will not be used at this time due to space restrictions. The String Ensemble will also be Live Streamed if necessary.
The String Ensemble can continue as it has in the past. Students can now earn High School credit for this course and junior high students earn marks on their report card as well. Social Distancing parameters and other safety procedures are easily maintained in this ensemble. Violins and violas are rented through Long & McQuade. There is a limited number of cellos available rented through Notre Dame Collegiate, but they are also available for rental through Long & McQuade. String Bass will not be used at this time due to space restrictions. The String Ensemble will also be Live Streamed if necessary.
Live Streamed Lessons
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Mr. Windsor is one of many teachers who are piloting a Live Streamed option for students. As is described in Christ the Redeemer’s Live Streaming Guide, teacher participation is voluntary, and instruction is delivered in real-time. Students may choose to switch between regular classes and live streaming with Principal Approval only, so as to ensure a consistent learning environment for all students. There are some expectations of families who choose to use this option, described in detail in the Christ the Redeemer Live Streaming Guide sent to families by Mrs. Deklerk.
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We’re hoping to ensure the most consistent, high quality level of education possible for all students using this Live Streaming option, regardless of what scenarios eventually play out. We thank you for your patience as we learn new ways of delivering incredible educational experiences for your children.
Students Switching Temporarily to Online School
In the past, Notre Dame Collegiate's after-school music programs, and even some during school programs, have been open to students from any campus, including others in High River or online students. At this time we are not able to include off-campus students in our music classes to ensure we adhere to contact tracing and cohorting protocols in place. As such, we are encouraging students to enroll at NDC, and take advantage of the Live Streaming option instead. It is important to note that as Steel Pans will not be offered via Live Streaming, students will not be able to participate in that ensemble if they are not attending in-person classes at the school.