Band Directors - Sign Up School Groups for FREE Concerts 

These concerts are FREE for School Groups and bands!

Select a Link Below to Register:

Moose Jaw - NYB School Concert - May 10 @ 1:30pm

Yorkton - NYB School Concerts - May 11 @ 11:15am & 1:15pm

Regina - NYB School Concerts - May 12 @ 10:15am & 1:15pm

Public Evening Concerts - Purchase SBA 40th Celebration with NYB - REGINA May 12 @ 7:00pm a ticket & enjoy the NYB and Special Guest Bands! Select a link below to pre-purchase your ticket.

NYB Evening With Queen City Brass Band - REGINA May 10 @ 7:00pm

NYB Evening with All That Jazz Band - YORKTON May 11 @7:00pm

SBA 40th Celebration with NYB - REGINA May 12 @ 7:00pm

2023 National Youth Band of Canada

Conductor: Dr. Leah McGray

Featured Soloist: Tom McCaslin

Annually since 1994, the National Youth Band of Canada has provided an opportunity for the country's outstanding 16-22 year old musicians to gather for an enriching and inspiring musical and cultural experience.

It is an outstanding opportunity to perform under the leadership of renowned Canadian conductor, Dr. Leah McGray and perform with Yamaha Canada featured soloist (and SK native) Tom McCaslin.

Leah McGray is the Director of Instrumental Studies for the State University of New York at Geneseo. Dr. McGray conducts the Geneseo Symphony Orchestra, Geneseo Wind Ensemble, and teaches classes in conducting, and theory. Previously holding a similar position at Rhodes College in Memphis TN, she has been the conductor for Memphis Symphony Orchestra's "Leading from Every Chair" program and a guest conductor with the Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra. Dr. McGray earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she studied with Dr. Mallory Thompson. She received the Master of Music degree in conducting from University of Toronto, studying with Dr. Gillian MacKay, and Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from Acadia University. A two-time winner of Social Science Humanities and Research Council grants from the Canadian government, her research focuses on new works for winds, with an emphasis on the music of Joel Puckett. Dr. McGray has taught band and orchestra for middle and high school music programs in Canada, and is in demand internationally as a conductor and adjudicator. Professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society, Conductors Guild, Canadian Band Association, Canadian Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and the Nova Scotia Band Association.

Tom McCaslin has been described by Fanfare Magazine as “one of the contemporary tuba virtuosos.” Originally from Regina, Saskatchewan, McCaslin’s playing and teaching have taken him around the globe. He has performed and taught in Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Portugal, Finland, New Zealand and Australia.

As an orchestral musician he has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the Regina Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony, the New Mexico Symphony, the Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música (Portugal), the Lahti Symphony (Finland) and was acting Principal Tuba in the Auckland Philharmonia (New Zealand).  In the summers he teaches at the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, NC, where he serves Principal Tuba with the EMF Festival Orchestra under the direction of Gerard Schwarz.

As a soloist, McCaslin’s solo recordings appear on the Crystal Records and Potenza Music labels. His first solo release, “Inside Out,” was met with much critical acclaim.  The International Tuba and Euphonium Association journal wrote: “Hopefully this CD will serve to inspire the ‘next generation’ of young tubists who will hear and accept this as regular playing, and strive to push the limits even further.” Gramophone magazine wrote: “lf this recital doesn’t convert you to the lyricism of the tuba, nothing will.” Regarding his second release, “One More Dance,” Gramophone wrote: “McCaslin’s technical abilities are brilliant and his musicianship is inspiring.” McCaslin has also recorded for the Canadian Broadcast Company, National Public Radio and performed on Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. He has performed at numerous International Tuba and Euphonium Conferences and at the United States Army Band Tuba and Euphonium Conference held in Washington, D.C.

McCaslin received degrees from McGill University and Arizona State University, with extensive study with legendary tubists John Griffiths, Fritz Kaenzig, Roger Bobo, Dennis Miller, and Samuel Pilafian.  In 2003 he became the first tubist to return three summers to the prestigious Tanglewood Music Center, the summer training center for the Boston Symphony.

McCaslin is a Yamaha Performing Artist and plays exclusively on Yamaha instruments. When not sitting behind his tuba he relishes his time with family, cycling, espresso, and laughing as much as humanly possible.

SBA 40th Anniversary Celebration Band

Directors:

Bob Mossing

Bob Mossing and Peter England were the first recipients of the SBA's Distinguished Band Director Award in 1999. 

Marion Mossing was the first director of the Regina Lions Band when it was created in 1946. A member of the Mossing family would direct the Lions band for almost the entirety of its existence. Bob was also the executive and musical director of the Mossing School of Music for 15 years. Bob started the Lions Parents Band in 1961 which has since morphed with time into the Prairie Winds Community Band and that is where you will find Bob now. Bob has hung up his full time conducting baton and is now playing clarinet in Prairie Winds senior band and enjoys being a guest conductor. Bob is a staple of Band in Saskatchewan and we could not be more proud to have him as a member of the SBA's 40th Anniversary Celebration Band. 

Joining the 2023 National Youth Band of Canada for their May 10th Evening Concert is the Queen City Brass Band under the direction of Mark Preece. 

The Queen City Brass Band was formed in 2000 with the goal of presenting the traditional British Brass Band ensemble to the province of Saskatchewan. Founders Phil Berg and Dennis Weist consulted with Bob Latimer who directed brass bands in Scotland before immigrating to Canada in the 1960's. 

Originally from Ontario, director Mark Preece is Principal Tuba of the Regina Symphony Orchestra, has performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Alberta Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Metamorphosis Symphony. Mark is also a Buffet Crampon Performing Artist for Besson Instruments and Performing Artist for LefreQue Sound Bridges, and a long-standing friend fo the Saskatchewan Band Association. 

The Yorkton Community jazz band All That Jazz will share the stage with the NYB for their second evening concert in Yorkton.

All That Jazz, under the direction of Larry Pearen, is an award winning ensemble that delights Yorkton region audiences and participates in various community events each year. Larry is also past president of the Canadian Band Association, the Saskatchewan Band Association and is also a former CBA National Youth Band of Canada Manager! 

For more information about the Yorkton Community Band or All That Jazz Band visit: Yorkton Community Band