Program Summary

The Highlands Brass Academy program consists of a week of brass instrument instruction and ensemble playing leading up to a concert put on by the students. At a cost of $425, participants will take part in daily activities such as warm up and breathing gym, large ensemble rehearsals, masterclasses, sectional instruction and optional private lessons (at an additional charge - see the Apply page). The 7-day workshop will wrap up with a public concert featuring the material rehearsed during the week.

Daily Schedule

A typical day from 9am to nearly 10pm will consist of the following activities:

Warm up and breathing exercises
This will start each day and will help participants develop warm-up and breathing habits which will encourage sound production and tone stability.
Large ensemble rehearsal 1
All students will be involved in the large ensemble. Depending on instrument enrollment and orchestration, there may be rotation in the ensemble parts. The first large ensemble rehearsal of the day will setup the material to be reviewed in the instrument sectionals.
Sectional instruction and rehearsal
The students will break into sectionals and with the guidance of a clinician work on material from the large ensemble repertoire. Students will also work on instrument technique in a group setting.
Small ensemble rehearsal
Most students will take part in small ensembles. This could include low brass ensemble, brass quintet, and/or horn quartet. Every effort will be made to give each participant equal ensemble playing opportunities.
Mini-masterclass / free time / lessons
Mini-masterclasses will cover a variety of materials and subjects, ranging from an intro to jazz improv, to open faculty quintet rehearsals, to orchestral excerpts sessions. This will also be free time for resting or private lessons.
Large ensemble rehearsal 2
The second large ensemble rehearsal will bring together what was worked on during the day.
Evening recital-masterclass
Every evening will feature a public recital-masterclass put on by the HBA's clinicians. Subject will vary based on the lecturer. A schedule of masterclasses will be posted early Summer. Students wishing to perform at the masterclass must register in advance.
There will be a break for lunch, as well as multiple rest breaks throughout the day so participants don't wear themselves out.

Repertoire

The ensemble repertoire played ranges between grades 4 and 6. Therefore, the HBA requires that participants must be at a Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 6 or better on their instrument. Parts are assigned and ensembles are formed based on individual player abilities -- this is determine from the recorded audition sent in (or via reference from your teacher).

The Highlands Brass Academy wants to make sure that everyone plays a mixture of interesting and challenging parts relative to their playing level. Accepted applicants will receive their music in advance of the course in order to prepare ahead of time.

Typical instrumentation for ensembles at the HBA will include the following (using 'trumpet.horn.trombone.euph.tuba' notation):

Clinicians

The clinicians at the HBA come from top Canadian professional orchestras are there and available .

The repertoire for the ensembles and concert will have a heavy slant on classical -- orchestral transcriptions, renaissance adaptations, as well as original music for brass ensemble. There will be some lighter selections from big band and jazz because an audience can only so much Gabrieli in one sitting.

Student Concert

The student concert provides the chance for HBA participants to showcase the music worked on during the week in large and small ensembles. The concert is open to the public and tickets will be sold in advance.

The repertoire for the ensembles and concert will have a heavy slant on classical -- orchestral transcriptions, renaissance adaptations, as well as original music for brass ensemble. There will be some lighter selections from big band and jazz because an audience can only so much Gabrieli in one sitting.