Our music program offers a thorough education in music history, music theory, and teaching and practical musicianship. Our programs include a Bachelor of Arts general (3-year) and specialized (4-year) programs with a concentration in music. A combined degree (e.g. Music and English) may also be taken.
Music is included in the curriculum of Laurentian University's Bachelor of Arts (Music) / Bachelor of Education Concurrent program as well as in its Fine Arts program. Distance education courses are available in music appreciation and beginning-level music theory, and the on-campus course in music therapy is an elective in the Gerontology Program. Please contact Dr. Yoko Hirota, Chair of the Music Department, to discuss the program requirements.
We also offer a variety of opportunities for musical performance either as a listener or a participant, including concerts by student ensembles, guest artists, faculty recitals, and community groups. The Laurentian Concert Series features our own music faculty as well as performers and small ensembles from across Canada.
News
Laurentian Concert Band wins Gold
In only its first year of existence, the Laurentian Concert Band has won a gold award at the Annual Northern Ontario Music Festival.
Started in September 2008, the band is part of the Laurentian Music Department and provides a vehicle for woodwind, brass, and percussionists to hone their ensemble playing skills. It is directed by Sally Lesk. The majority of its members are Laurentian music majors, although there are a number of non-music majors as well, who fit the band into their already-hectic university schedule simply because they love to play. In addition, the band has attracted a handful of the top Grade 12 instrumentalists in the community, as well as a few adult musicians who are thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in such a high-calibre ensemble. All 35 members were excited to be a part of the concert band’s first-ever appearance at the festival, and put together an almost flawless performance.
The Northern Ontario Music Festival has been running for 35 years now, as part of Musicfest Canada. It offers a venue for concert bands, combos, choirs, jazz ensembles, and guitar ensembles to share their music with each other and to be adjudicated by some of the country’s most-respected educators and performing musicians. Each musical group is required to perform three contrasting selections in front of an audience and a panel of adjudicators. After the performance, the group receives a half-hour clinic with one of the adjudicators. Each ensemble performs in a category appropriate to the level of the musicians. As such, Laurentian’s Concert Band was entered in the highest category at the festival, the B400.
Unlike many festivals, there are no rankings of performers. Instead, each group is evaluated against a Canadian standard, with a bronze award indicating a mark in the 70’s, a silver indicating a mark in the 80’s, and a gold award signifying a mark in the 90’s. The Concert Band’s Gold Award, then, is certainly something of which to be very proud. “This was a truly memorable performance!” stated Denny Ringler, one of the adjudicators. In his clinic with the group, one of the other adjudicators, Steve Fralick, said, “You are all very lucky to be playing in such a wonderful band.”
The concert band has two more performances this season. On Thursday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m., it will be performing as part of the Cambrian Wind Ensemble concert. Then on Tuesday, April 7, at 12:30 p.m., it will be the feature ensemble at a presentation at Laurentian University to secondary students from across Sudbury and Elliot Lake.
For more information, contact Sally Lesk slesk@laurentian.ca or the Department of Music at 675-1151, ext. 2520.