Western’s Colleen Richardson was guest conductor of the 2012 National Youth Band of Canada, an ensemble of 53 musicians, aged 16-21, which gathered in Manitoba last week for a time of learning, performing and lifelong memories. Chris Lee, principal tuba, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, was the guest soloist. The band performed for more than 3,000 people at six school and public concerts in Brandon, Gretna and Winnipeg.
Richardson oversees the bands, directs the Wind Ensemble and teaches graduate courses/seminars in conducting at the Don Wright Faculty of Music. She also teaches instrumental ensemble techniques and instrumental literature and techniques within the Music Education Department.
Richardson is sought after as a clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator across Canada. Her research interests include wind literature, chamber wind repertoire, conducting pedagogy, ensemble rehearsal techniques, Messiaen’s compositional techniques and Varèse’s connections with visual artists. She recently presented her research at conferences in Taiwan, Ireland, Switzerland and Italy.
Yamaha Canada Music, Long and McQuade Music, St. John’s Music, University of Manitoba, Brandon University and many others provided support.
The National Youth Band of Canada is the Canadian Band Association’s flagship project. The CBA was formed in 1934 to promote and develop the musical, educational and cultural values of band music in Canada. In 1978, 1991 and annually since 1994, the National Youth Band of Canada has offered a musical opportunity for outstanding Canadian instrumentalists, woodwind, brass and percussion.
One of the early contributors was London’s Martin Boundy, whose career included first permanent conductor of the Central Band of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in Ottawa, and music director for the RCAF overseas during the Second World War; supervisor of instrumental music in London schools and director of the London Tech Concert Band, Catholic Central Band and Police Boys’ Band; conductor 1949-69 of the London Civic Symphony (Orchestra London Canada); and music director 1969-78 at Fanshawe College and conductor of the college’s Four Counties Choir.