Band Programming
Top Note Music School leads very successful band programs.
For more information on each band, including schedules and locations, please see the drop down menus below.2A Community Band has been performing since 2017 and is a great opportunity for those who played music in school to continue their love of band music as adults.
Top Note Jazz Band is directed by Mike Gardner, musician, clinician, and conductor.
Home School Band Program - This program was introduced in September of 2023 for students who want to learn to play a woodwind or brass instrument. It is a great opportunity that we are offering students who live in Olds, Didsbury, and Carstairs!
Head to our Registration page, where you will find the registration form.
Under the direction of Teena Trick-Wilks and Barry Valleau, the group started in September of 2017.
The exciting thing about this band is that it brings together musicians from Mountain View County and beyond - musicians who loved playing as youngsters and are thrilled to be back playing as adults.
Rehearsals take place at the Didsbury High School Music Room on Mondays from 7 - 8:30 pm. The School is located at 1515 - 15th Avenue.
Each session is $12.
The 2A Community Band continues during the summer with get-togethers at the Carstairs Gazebo on Mondays from 7 - 8:30 pm from the end of June until the end of August. We move back indoors to the DHS Music Room in September.
This Jazz Band is directed by Mike Gardner. Our 2023-2024 season starts up again on Tuesday September 12th. We meet each Tuesday from 7 - 8:30 pm at the Didsbury High School Music Room, 1515 - 15th Avenue.
This band brings together musicians with prior experience playing who enjoy Jazz band.
Price is $18 per session.
Top Note Music School will be offering a Level 1 band program that will meet weekly beginning in September 2023 and ending in June 2024. The program will be offered to children aged 8 to 15 (ideal for home-schooled children!) who are interested in learning to play a woodwind or brass instrument:
- Woodwinds - flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone
- Brass - trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone (euphonium), or tuba
For the 2024/25 season, this program will be offered at the following times and locations:
- Level 1: Carstairs Top Note Music School, 1126 Osler Street - 1 to 2:30 pm on Mondays
- Level 1: Olds Hope Pointe Community Church, 5402 43 Street - 1 to 2:30 pm on Fridays
- Level 2: Didsbury Train Station, 2029 - 19th Avenue - 1:30 to 3 pm on Wednesdays
Each lesson will focus on developing the fundamental skills of tone production, aural skills, rhythmic skills, and theory related to musical notation. In addition, students will be introduced to concepts of musical expression through performance. Two concerts will be performed for family and friends. The dates and locations for these concerts will be announced but will likely be during the holiday season and in early June. Other performance opportunities may arise during the season.
Teacher: Mr. Mike Gardner (pictured above) - Mr. Gardner has 37 years of experience as a musician and teacher. After retiring from public school service, he has continued working as an independent teacher, clinician, and conductor as well as a composer and freelance musician. He has directed school and community band programs of all levels, and is known for the quality of musicianship his students and band members have achieved. Mr. Gardner is a resident of Didsbury.
Annual Tuition: $1,250.00 ($125 per month payment option) payable to Top Note Music School. In order to offer such a program, we request a commitment to the entirety of the scheduled season, September to June.