The Senior Band is a performance level band. The difficulty of the music is at the high school (grade 12) level and up. Admission to this band is based on ability, not age, so there is quite a variety of ages within the group. In addition to the Society’s annual concerts, the Senior Band plays in local festivals and community concerts 2 or 3 times per year. The Senior Band rehearses 2 hours per week, *Mondays from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. *Please note that the Senior Band is currently rehearsing Wednesday evenings, from 6:30-8:30 pm, at the New Westminster Secondary band room.
The Senior Band is conducted by Mr. John White
John White is an Honours graduate of the University of Calgary (Bachelor of Music). He received his Master of Education degree from the University of British Columbia. His teaching experience includes positions as instructor of strings and woodwinds at the Calgary Conservatory of Music, music teacher at F.H. Collins Secondary School in Whitehorse, Yukon, and roles as an itinerant band teacher and District Resource Teacher in the Langley School District. He also worked as Instrumental Consultant for Northwest Musical Services (Vancouver) before he assumed a position in the Kamloops School District as District Fine Arts Coordinator. The position was followed by time in Coquitlam School District as Program Coordinator for Visual and Performing Arts. Mr. White recently retired after twenty-one years as a Director of Instruction for School District 41 Burnaby – a school district with approximately 24,000 students.
During the first period of time that Mr. White spent in the Lower Mainland, he was Music Director for the New Westminster and District Concert Band, an ensemble he now directs once again. He has also conducted a number of other community groups including the Kamloops Choristers. Mr. White has served as a Director of the British Columbia Music Educators’ Association Provincial Honour Band, the Saskatchewan Provincial Honour Band and has many years experience as a performing musician.
A Past-President of the British Columbia Music Educators’ Association, the British Columbia Choral Federation, the British Columbia Administrators of Arts Education, the Pacific Coast Music Festivals Association, and Art Starts in Schools, John White is also a Past Chairman of MusicFest Canada: Canadian Concert Band Festival. He served on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Music Educators’ Association, the Western Canada Theatre Company and the British Columbia Festival of the Arts.
John White has been recognized as an Honourary Life Member by the BC Music Educators’ Association and as a member of the Willan Council by the BC Choral Federation. He has served extensively as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor throughout British Columbia, the Yukon Territory, Alberta , Saskatchewan and Ontario. He has also served as a judge for Canada’s Juno Awards on numerous occasions.