BANDS & INSTRUMENTALS

Adjudicator:  Brian Thorlacius

Brian's clinic and adjudication work has been extensive throughout Alberta and Montana.  He has been a regular conductor/clinician at the University of Calgary Summer Band Workshop as well as the Summer Jazz Workshop.  Recently he served as conductor for the Adventures in the Summer Music at Red Deer College. 

As a performer, Brian conducts and plays lead alto in the Wednesday Night Band, which is an 18 piece community big band.  The mandate of the group is to promote big band jazz in the community.  The ensemble has won numerous awards and has the good fortune to play with such fine jazz artists as:   Bobby Shew, Jeff Jarvis, Ed Shaughnessy, Rob McConnell, Alan Wise, Mike Tomaro, and P.J. Perry. 

Brian's professional service includes memberships in the Calgary Musicians Association #547 and the Alberta Band Association, where he has just completed 3 terms as a board member.   He has also served on the board of directors of the Alberta Stage Band Festivals (Southern Region) from 1979-1995; the last six years as jazz co-ordinator. 

In 1997, Brian received the Tommy Banks Award from the Alberta foundation for the Arts in recognition of his work with students in Junior and Senior High School music programs. 

In fall of 1999, Brian was inducted into the Phil Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity.  He was selected by the Canadian Band Directors Association, Alberta Chapter, to receive the Elkhorn Award as the Province’s Director of the Year for 2003-2004.  In the fall of 2005 Brian received the David Peterkin award from Phi Beta Mu, Alberta Chapter for his years of service and dedication to Bands and the proliferation of Band music.