Chinook Concert Band Festival 2011

Over a thousand area student musicians will get a chance to work with one of the best in music education this month.
Clinton Marshall, an award-winning music director, consultant and guest conductor, has been invited to be the clinician and adjudicator for this year's Chinook Concert Band Festival.
“[Marshall] is a very sincere person”, said festival coordinator Tom Taylor of Okotoks. “He is one of the best guest conductors I have ever experienced.”
Beginning on October 18th, Marshall will visit individual high schools in the area in a clinic setting, ranging from three-hour clinics to full-day sessions with students.
On October 26th and 27th, Marshall moves into the adjudicated festival format at Notre Dame Collegiate to work with area junior high schools.
In all, Marshall will work with 16 different schools; three in the Calgary Board of Education, eight in the Foothills School Division, four from Christ the Redeemer Catholic School Division, and one private school, a total of over 1000 students.
Marshall's expertise is in high demand across Canada and the United States, so scheduling him for nearly two full weeks was a tall order for Taylor.
Taylor found it necessary to book Marshall early, as he is already booked well into March of 2012.
Traditionally, the Chinook Concert Band Festival has only been accessible by schools in the Foothills and Christ the Redeemer School Divisions south of Calgary. However, with the expertise coming in this year, Taylor opened the possibility up to city schools as well.
Joel Windsor, director at Notre Dame Collegiate in High River and host of the adjudicated portion of the festival, said he's excited for the opportunity on behalf of his students.
“The directors from our divisions have been working together for years for our two festivals,” said Windsor, referring also to a jazz festival in November. “It's great that [Taylor] has opened this opportunity up to the city schools as well.”
“It's always so the students can get the best learning experience possible.”
Taylor has also designed professional development with Marshall for music directors in the two school divisions south of Calgary.
“We will learn a lot by spending a day with such an outstanding and experienced educator,” said Taylor, discussing the seminar that will take place on October 28th, Marshall's last day in Alberta.
Marshall has been given numerous awards for his outstanding career as a music educator, including a special proclamation from the Maryland State Senate for his accomplishments. He has been recognized by the National Band Director's Association and the American Schools Band Director's Association for his contributions to instrumental music. He will be flying out from his home in South Carolina to participate in this festival.

For more information about the festival, and Marshall's involvement, please visit: http://www.ndcfinearts.com/chinook.