Memorial University Bands

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Memorial University Bands Welcome to the Memorial University Wind Ensemble’s page! The MUN Wind Ensemble is recognized as one of the finest wind bands in Atlantic Canada.

Straddling the line between tradition and innovation, the Wind Ensemble strives to provide an environment where performers, educators, and music lovers can explore wind band music of the highest caliber. Touring, recording, featured soloists, and concerts are just a few of the ways we engage with the community at large. Recent highlights include a full production of Orff’s Carmina Burana, as well as workshops with Dr. Dale Lonis, Dr. Robert Carochan, and Pauline Oliveros. Questions? Contact Dr. Dylan Rook Maddix, Assitant Professor of Instrumental Conducting & Director of the Wind Ensemble.

What an incredible week of music-making, learning, and growth! We were thrilled to welcome 14 conducting participants fr...
10/19/2026

What an incredible week of music-making, learning, and growth! We were thrilled to welcome 14 conducting participants from Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, and Minnesota, along with a wonderful group of engaged observers. Congratulations to everyone on an inspiring few days of collaboration, and artistry.

A heartfelt thank you to the MUN Wind Ensemble for sharing your time, talent, and spirit throughout the weekend. Your musicianship, generosity, and flexibility made this a truly meaningful experience for every conductor involved.

We are especially grateful to our guest faculty member, Dr. Gillian MacKay, Professor Emerita, University of Toronto, for her inspiring leadership and mentorship. In addition to working closely with our conducting participants, Dr. MacKay spent valuable time with Memorial University's Ensemble Leadership class and Music Education students, sharing her wealth of experience and engaging in thoughtful discussions about teaching, leadership, and artistry. Dr. MacKay exemplifies what it means to lead with kindness, purpose, and authenticity, and her insight and encouragement elevated every aspect of the workshop.

A special thank you to our graduate wind conducting student, Halle Forde, as well as Music Education student Olivia Short and MUN Wind Ensemble percussionist J Benson, whose dedication, professionalism, and countless behind-the-scenes contributions ensured that everything ran seamlessly.

Thank you to Memorial University, Yamaha Canada and Delta Hotels for their support that helped make this event possible.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this weekend such a memorable and enriching experience. Until next time!

Dr. Gillian MacKay has officially arrived in Newfoundland and hit the Rock running! This morning, Dr. MacKay and Dr. Mad...
10/14/2026

Dr. Gillian MacKay has officially arrived in Newfoundland and hit the Rock running! This morning, Dr. MacKay and Dr. Maddix had the pleasure of working with the St. Bonaventure’s College Wind Ensemble and the Macdonald Drive Junior High Symphonic Band. A sincere thank you to Vincenza Etchegary and Sarah Comerford for their warm hospitality.

The afternoon featured a conducting session with graduate student Halle Forde, and Dr. MacKay led the ensemble through Tom Davoren’s Stillness. It was a full, inspiring, and exciting day of music-making 🎶

09/28/2026

Here’s a little clip of Stillness by Tom Davoren, which MUNWE will be performing at their upcoming concert, Journeys, on October 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the D.F. Cook Recital Hall.

This piece has a special Newfoundland connection! Inspired by Amelia Earhart’s pioneering transatlantic flight, Stillness traces her journey from Newfoundland to Wales in 1928. Battling fog and poor weather over the Atlantic, Earhart made an unexpected landing in the Welsh harbour town of Burry Port, where she later reflected on the “stillness and silence” of the crossing.

Look forward to sharing this piece and more very soon!

With the MUN Wind Conducting Workshop just around the corner, we’re excited to recognize the outstanding organizations h...
09/28/2026

With the MUN Wind Conducting Workshop just around the corner, we’re excited to recognize the outstanding organizations helping make this event possible.

A sincere thank you to Yamaha Canada for their generous support of the 2026 MUN Wind Conducting Workshop and community engagement activities taking place throughout the St. John’s area with Dr. Gillian MacKay and Dr. Dylan Maddix. As Yamaha True North Master Educators, Dr. MacKay and Dr. Maddix are proud to partner with Yamaha in supporting music education, artistic excellence, and the development of musicians and educators across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Yamaha Canada Music, for investing in the future of music-making and for helping inspire the next generation of students, conductors, and music educators.

Your support is making a lasting impact in our communities!

The MUN Concert Winds are back for 2026 with over 60 musicians part of the ensemble! They kicked off the semester with s...
09/24/2026

The MUN Concert Winds are back for 2026 with over 60 musicians part of the ensemble!

They kicked off the semester with some glorious first sounds under the direction of Dr. Dylan Maddix, graduate conducting student Halle Forde and Music Ed major, Michael Kallinis . This ensemble brings together MUN undergraduate and graduate students from across faculties, faculty and staff, alumni, and local high school musicians. Here’s to an inspiring semester of community and music making together!

We were honoured to welcome 19 members of the The Stadacona Band / La Musique Stadacona of the Royal Canadian Navy, alon...
09/16/2026

We were honoured to welcome 19 members of the The Stadacona Band / La Musique Stadacona of the Royal Canadian Navy, along with their Music Director, Lt. Jeff Campbell, to join us for rehearsal. What a treat it was to have their outstanding musicianship and incredible sounds interspersed throughout the ensemble.

It was also wonderful to hear about the many opportunities available to musicians in the Canadian Armed Forces and to learn more about the possibilities that come with serving as a military musician.

Another special highlight of the day was welcoming four Music at Memorial alumni back to the very room where they once rehearsed and performed as students.

Together, they represent more than 20 years of Memorial University Bands:

Tony Taylor (Tuba)
Timothy Keels (Tuba)
Dan Keels (Trombone)
Scott Latham (Percussion)

Pictured with current MUN Wind Ensemble Conductor Dr. Dylan Rook Maddix

You can hear these outstanding musicians tomorrow night at a free concert at 7:00 p.m. at the Arts and Culture Centre, joined by special guests, the The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band. The evening will also feature our own Dr. Maddix guest conducting Howard Cable’s Newfoundland Rhapsody!

This is sure to be an exceptional evening of music and community. A concert not to be missed!

It’s alive! The MUN Wind Ensemble is back for the 2026/27 season!We’ve already hit the ground running, exploring excitin...
09/10/2026

It’s alive! The MUN Wind Ensemble is back for the 2026/27 season!

We’ve already hit the ground running, exploring exciting new music, preparing for the MUN Wind Conducting Workshop (October 16–18), and gearing up for our first concert of the year, Journeys, on October 22.
The program features works by Gala Flagello , Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Tom Davoren , as well as the world premiere of Seascapes by our very own Dr. Andrew Staniland . We’re thrilled to be back and can’t wait to share what’s ahead.

It’s large ensemble audition Music at Memorial ! Best of luck to all auditioning today! No fear, just music! You got thi...
09/08/2026

It’s large ensemble audition Music at Memorial ! Best of luck to all auditioning today! No fear, just music!

You got this!

Only three conducting participant spots left for this year's MUN Wind Conducting Workshop!Join Music at Memorial faculty...
08/26/2026

Only three conducting participant spots left for this year's MUN Wind Conducting Workshop!

Join Music at Memorial faculty Dr. Dylan Rook Maddix and this year’s guest faculty, Dr. Gillian MacKay, Director of Bands at the University of Toronto, for a weekend of growth in beautiful St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador!

To register visit https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLScQaoqjgID.../viewform...

To learn more visit: https://www.mun.ca/music/events/wind-conducting-workshop/

Have questions? email MUN Director of Bands, Dr. Dylan Maddix at: [email protected]

Calling All Memorial University Students!Are you passionate about music and want to continue performing in a wind band w...
08/19/2026

Calling All Memorial University Students!

Are you passionate about music and want to continue performing in a wind band while studying at Memorial University?

Audition/Register for a Memorial University Band (Wind Ensemble or Concert Winds) and join a vibrant community of musicians. Perform exciting repertoire, develop lasting friendships, be challenged, have fun, and continue growing as a musician.

Depending on your program, you may even be eligible to earn academic credit for participating in the MUN Wind Ensemble.

Registration and auditions are now open. Complete the form below to tell us about your musical background and help us guide you to the ensemble that best fits your experience and goals. We are excited to get to know you as a musician and community member.

MUN Bands Information Form:
https://forms.gle/YnFbYnjXLF4hzxjt6

Contact Dr. Dylan Maddix, Director of Bands: [email protected]

We are grateful for your interest in MUN Bands and look forward to welcoming new and returning musicians this year!

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Burtons Pond Road
St. John's, NL
A1C5S7

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