Western’s Young Winds Program provides students from the local community with instrumental music education supplementary to that provided by the students' school bands. The program focuses on small group lessons as well as a full band experience. The program provides instruction for instrumental students in grades six, seven, eight, or nine. Students who are already studying one of the traditional concert band instruments and may not have the opportunity to participate in a formal ensemble at their school are also welcome. Students who have studied one of the following instruments for at least six months are eligible to participate in the program: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone (all types), Horn, Trumpet, Baritone Horn/Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba, and Percussion.
In 2020, before the pandemic hit us, I had the chance to participate in this one-of-a-kind program. I conducted one of the full band pieces and worked with the percussion section. Participating in the Young Winds program provided me with an opportunity to apply my conducting and teaching skills in an authentic teaching environment by working directly with sixth to ninth graders in both small group and full band instructional settings.
Unfortunately, our time with this outreach program was cut short due to Covid-19. Despite our abrupt end, I am grateful for the couple months I was able to work with these wonderful musicians and for the opportunity to come together every Saturday and engage in music-making. I look forward to the day when we are able to do this once again!
Credit for all photos on this page go to: Geoff Robins/Western University