Projects

 

 

It began in January 2023 with a full Saturday workshop open to females from beginners to community band members, aged 10 - 85!  We were priviledged to have  Christine and Ingrid Jensen as our featured guests.  This first year 98 participants enrolled in the workshop with all female staff. 

 

Year two January 2024, Jodi Prozniuk (bass) and Audrey Ochoa (trombone) were the special guests musicians and educators,  and the workshop was so successful it needed to be capped at 120.   

 

The third annual event January 31/Feb 1 2025 with featured musicians, Tara Davidson (sax/woodwinds) and Rachel Therrien (trumpet) continued the tradition of professional day, and workshop (this year with 141 participants).

 

The CWJO (Calgary Women's Jazz Orchestra) members are involved as staff during the Saturday workshop, teaching jazz masterclasses on their instrument, coaching combos and teaching improv.  

 

The weekend ends with a Saturday evening gala concert which features our featured guests performing a set with rhythm section, as well as the CWJO.   Last year a High School Honour Jazz Ensemble was added which rehearsed during the weekend and also perform at the Gala Concert at Studio Bell at the National Music Center downtown Calgary.  

 

Kathie Van Lare, the CWJO director and co-organizer of this Girls in Jazz, ensures that all music played by the Honour Band, CWJO and the big bands at the workshop is all composed or arranged by women.   Why not?!    

 

information about Girls in Jazz can be found on the WBDI (Women Band Director's International--Alberta Chapter) website.  http://www.wbdialberta.ca/