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Prairielands Jazz Camp - 2023 Highlights

Special Thanks & Recognition

SBA Band Camps are successful because of the care, support and dedication of many individuals, community groups and organizations. 

Sask Lotteries, SaskCulture, NAC and many others have helped to make the summer a success for Saskatchewan youth who love band. 

Thank you to the wonderful facilities that host our yearly camps.  The University of Regina, The University of Saskatchewan, and the Yorkdale Central School in Yorkton. All first rate facilities that allow the camps to run smoothly.

Here is a list of sponsors for summer band camps, we greatly appreciate all of the support!

  • Creative Kids
  • Regina Catholic Band Parent Association







The Prairielands Jazz Camp made for an amazing start to the 2023 Band Camp Season! We had fantastic young musicians from around the province join us for an awesome week of learning and jazzing with our sensational line up of nationally acclaimed instructors! Throughout the week, the participants were able to experience the jazz style in a variety of different settings. They participated in big bands, combos, instrument masterclasses, sectionals, guided listening, and methods classes.

Our faculty combo put on two exceptional concerts on Tuesday and Thursday night and they were a sight and sound to behold. This year we had the pleasure of listening to an incredible original piece by Dr. Derek Friesen! Many of the students and their families took advantage of coming to listen to these high-caliber performances and filled up the Shu-Box both nights.






During the combo concert, all the students had the opportunity to show what they learned throughout the week in jazz methods by improvising a solo. There were a total of 7 Combo groups that played tunes from artists like Duke Ellington, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins, and even a song composed by faculty member Pat Collins!


The Students were divided into three big bands this year, Green band led by Nick Fanner was primarily made up of grade 6,7, and 8 students some of whom were completely new to Jazz! They played four wonderful tunes and we couldn't be happier with how far they've come and we're excited to see where their journey of Jazz exploration takes them!


Orange Band led by Cheryl Ferguson was comprised of slightly more experienced students, who put on a terrific set featuring difficult songs like Reachin'out by Sammy Nestico and Red Tape Blues by Geoff Keezer. Both of which require a tremendous amount of control and highlight soloists in the band!

The last band of the concert was the Red Band led by Donny Kennedy. This band showed off their Jazz experience playing difficult standards like Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie and Basie-Straight Ahead by Sammy Nestico. The crowd was impressed by their ability to work together and their virtuosity on their instruments!





In Their Own Words... Quotes from Participants

"The camp helped me improve as a musician and I will grow and expand on these new ideas that I learned this week". 

"Never stop this camp! This is the best thing to look forward to at the end of the year!"

"This camp rocks!"

"I just had a great time!"

"I liked making new friends and getting to play with them."


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