Learn Music in a Band Class
The 2025-26 season kicks off in October 2025 in Sherwood Park and Stony Plain, AB. Scroll down to learn more about program that is right for you!
RegisterAzure Music Band Program
The Azure Band program is comprised of wind and percussion instruments to form ensembles comparable to classical concert bands. Some ensembles will allow for violin players plus one keyboardist, one guitarist and one bassist per group (some restrictions apply, please speak with Vanessa prior to registration). Wind instruments include but are not limited to: flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, french horn, baritone and tuba. When choosing an instrument you may find this blog post helpful: How to choose a Wind Instrument for Band Class READ HERE
The 2025/26 season's music selection theme is: Music of the 70's! Throughout the season students will learn songs in styles such as funk, r&b, rock, disco, classical and jazz of the 70's. Songs are selected and arranged for the ensembles depending on the groups skill level and instrumental variations. All band ensemble classes perform in the showcase concert on the main stage at Festival Place, Sherwood Park on Sunday March 29, 2026 at 4pm (soundcheck prior). CLICK HERE for up to date concert details.
Students require an instrument to use for the season and will be required to bring the instrument to class each week. In addition, students must bring to class a music stand and a pencil. All music will be printed and provided by Azure Music in a folder.
The 2025/26 Season begins on Tuesday October 1/25 and runs until March 29/26. See below for the detailed schedule. Tuesday classes are held in Sherwood Park at the AJ Ottewell Centre. Wednesday classes are held in Stony Plain and are part of the KaRAR Collective Homeschool Day offering science, music, drama and dance. For the homeschool day details CLICK HERE
Benefits of playing in band . . .
The benefits of playing in a band are endless! Some of the ways students who play an instrument in a band setting benefit are:
- learn music in a hands on practical way
- higher focused, dedicated time to learn their instrument
- increase in confidence
- have higher self motivation and follow though skills
- experience natural accountability
- higher development of teamwork and social skills
- greater sense of community
- learn patience and delayed gratification
- increased sense of achievement
- reduced feeling of stress
- activates new neuro-pathways in the brain
- experience the benefits of perseverance and determination
- have increased time management skills
- greater capacity for memory
- fosters a deep love of music
DID YOU KNOW? Playing an instrument uses almost every part of your brain!
Musical outcomes in band class . . .
Music is more fun when it is with friends! In band class you will learn how to play a wind or percussion instrument within an ensemble setting. Band class offers an introduction to music and rhythms though a practical hands on method. Band classes are structured with the intention that students will participate in the full season program both term 1 and 2 (October to March, 22 classes plus the showcase concert)
Junior Band Objectives and Skills: Increased musical awareness, ability to identify instruments in the ensemble, increased knowledge of musical styles, hands on musical experience, identify basic note values (quarter notes, eights, half and whole), rhythmic exploration, introduction to dynamics, time signatures such as 4/4 and 3/4, tempo changes, introduction to music notation, expand auditory skills, learn how to follow a conductor, tune to concert Bb, read sheet music, and gain performance skills.
'A' Band Objectives and Skills: Builds upon 'B' Band skills with a deeper focus on major scales and the introduction of minor scales with more complex technical exercises, warm ups in 3rds and arpeggios, more complex note values, expand range, syncopation, harmonic melodies, possible time signatures like 5/4, 7/4, songs with changing time signatures, straight and swung eighths, more accurate articulation and more!
Which Band Program is Right for You?
'A' Band Intermediate - ages 12+
'B' Band Beginner - ages 12+(10&11*)
'C' Community Band - Adults
Junior Band - ages 8-11
Band Class Schedule for the 2025/26 Season
Tuesday classes are held in Sherwood Park at the AJ Ottewell Centre.
Classes begin on Oct 7, 2025 and run to Mar 24, 2026
Fun Drum (Oct-Nov Only): 9:45am-10:30am
Jr Band: 10: 10:30am-11:15am
'B' Band: 11:15-12:15pm
'A' Band: 12:30-1:45pm
Wednesday classes are held in Stony Plain and are part of the KaRAR Collective Homeschool Day offering science, music, drama and dance.
Classes begin on Oct 7, 2025 to Mar 25, 2026
Feelin' Groovy: Music for Littles (Term 1 and 2 independent registration): 1:15-2:00pm
Jr Band: 11:15am-12:00pm
'B' Band: 3:00-4:00pm
'A' Band: 4:15pm-5:30pm
Adult 'C' Band: 6:30-7:30pm (pending interest)
Tuition & Fees
Full Season Programs (Band & Ensemble Classes): 22 classes of instruction with rehearsal time + involvement in the showcase concert performance day. Upon registration the $75 registration fee and the $75 printed music/clinic fee are final sale and therefore non refundable. If a student withdraws from classes, tuition fees will be reimbursed on an individual basis depending on how many classes the student has taken from the beginning of term to the drop date cut off, after which no tuition will be refunded. The drop date cut off is Nov 7, 2025.
Season Pay in Full though the website system: $425 CLICK HERE
Monthly Payment Plan: $425 + $25 ($450/6mo = $75 per mo) CLICK HERE
10% off when you pay in full via email transfer: $425 less 10% (save $42.50, $382.50), email Vanessa before registering to take advantage of this offer or receive more details [email protected]
FAQs
Q: How much time should my student practice?
A: Practice time will vary depending on the level of the student. A beginner student may only be able to play a wind instrument for 15 minutes at a time. More advanced players may have the ability to play for an hour or more. A general rule for band class is 30 mins per day for beginner classes.
Q: Where can I rent an instrument?
A: Stores such as The Bandstand, Long & McQuade and St John's Music have rental and rent to own plans with excellent staff to help guide you.
Q: How much musical experience is required to play in a band class?
Junior Band requires no previous musical experience. 'B' Band will accept students 12+ with no previous musical experience and 10+ with previous experience on the instrument the student will play in class. 'A' Band requires at least 2 years of music experience in a band setting. Please contact Vanessa for further details.
Q: What is a wind instrument?
A wind instrument is an instrument played by blowing air threw it. There are 2 categories of wind instruments: wood wind and brass. Common wind instruments are: trumpet, baritone, trombone, tuba, french horn, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone.
Q: My youth is not a homeschooler, can we register for the Stony Plain 'A' Band at 4:15-5:30pm?
Yes! This class is offered to the community and will be comprised of both homeschoolers and public school youth.
Please reach us at [email protected] if you cannot find an answer to your question.
