Saskatchewan Junior Honour Band

The Saskatchewan Junior South Honour Band (Fall 2025, Grades 8 & 9) provides a comprehensive music experience tailored for outstanding band students. This initiative is dedicated to enhancing music education throughout the province. In 2025, the South Junior Honour Band extends eligibility to students residing south of Davidson, SK.

Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with a guest conductor over three days, engaging in sectionals and full band rehearsals. This offers students a valuable opportunity to network, foster audience appreciation, and receive exceptional instruction from our guest conductor and sectional clinicians. The finale concert will be comprised of the SMEA Junior Honour Band as well as the SMEA Provincial Honour Groups.

The Junior Honour Band Program

Dates:

Thursday, October 30, 2025: Registration & rehearsals (Tentatively 12pm-8pm includes supper)
Friday, October 31, 2025: Rehearsal (Tentatively 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. includes lunch)
Friday, November 1, 2025: Rehearsal (TBA) and Performance at 4:30 pm

Location: Living Hope Alliance Church, 3800 Green Falls Dr, Regina, SK S4V 3T6

Format: Participants will engage in sectionals and full band rehearsals over three days.

Cost: A $125.00 registration fee covers all rehearsals and some meals. Admission to the concert will be $15.00, with children aged 12 and under admitted free of charge.

Commitment: Students will receive their music by early September and are expected to practice diligently in advance. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory.

Selection Process: Selection will be based on applications from students across Southern Saskatchewan, aiming for a balanced 65-piece band.

Teachers submit recommendations by April 15, 2025.
Communication of applications, both those accepted and those encouraged to try again next year, will be communicated by May 15, 2025.
Parents will be responsible to register & pay by June 15, 2025.

Accommodations: Families are responsible for arranging their own accommodations and transportation for the weekend. Supervision will be provided throughout all scheduled activities.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities:

Ensure your child's punctual attendance at all scheduled activities, arrange transportation to and from the venue, and organize accommodations if necessary.

2024 Conductor (2025 TBA)

Kerry Linsley

Kerry Linsley earned her Music Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1988 and subsequently taught band in Grenfell for two years. Following this, she dedicated herself to teaching in Yorkton and the surrounding areas from 1990 until 2023, primarily as an itinerant elementary band teacher.

Throughout her career, Kerry actively contributed to the development of Saskatchewan's educational landscape. Notably, she served on the committee responsible for creating Saskatchewan's inaugural Grade 6-9 Band Curriculum Support Document. Her commitment to ensuring accessibility and affordability in music education led to commendation from the Good Spirit School Division.

Kerry's passion for nurturing young musicians extended beyond the classroom. She served as a coordinator for the Yorkton Junior Band camp and lent her expertise as a guest conductor for the North Saskatchewan Junior Honor Band.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Kerry was honored with an SMEA Honorary Lifetime Award in 2022, highlighting her enduring impact on music education in Saskatchewan.

Student Eligibility

Educators are encouraged to recommend students who are currently in Grade 7 or grade 8 by no later than May 31st 2025, who are motivated and looking to achieve a new level of musical excellence. Each band program area may recommend up to five (5) students for participation and a maximum of one (1) student per instrument. We will make every effort to accommodate all students recommended, due to space constraints and in consideration for balanced instrumentation, all students may not be selected to participate. A recall will be issued if additional participants on certain instruments are required. The Junior South Honour Band is striving for a 65-piece band with balanced instrumentation.

Recommending Students

Educators will provide recommendation letters (click here for a sample letter) to the parent/guardian of prospective students. The sample letter includes a description of the event as well as registration information for parents. Below is the Teacher Recommendation Form that educators are required to complete for submitting their student recommendations.

Recommendation and Registration Process:

Receiving recommendations up until April 15, 2025 (completed by teacher)
Reviewing Recommendations between April 15-May 31, 2025 (SMEA portion),
Notifications, whether the applicant was accepted or not, will be sent out by June 1, 2025 (SMEA portion).
Registration and payment between June 1-15, 2025 (parent/guardian portion).

Teacher Recommendation Form

Registration

If you have received a 2025 invitational letter to participate in the 2025 Saskatchewan Junior Band, Congratulations!

You will need to fill out the registration as well as remit payment in 2 easy but separate steps. Please register and remit payment no later than June 15, 2025.

Payment methods include (due on June 15, 2025, late registration will result in forfeiture of spot):
- sending a cheque to Saskatchewan Music Educators Association Box 24 Cudworth, SK S0K 1B0,
- sending an e-transfer to smea@sasktel.net (password: JrBand2025),
- or paying online via Visa or MasterCard (button below).
Please note the SMEA Refund Policy, which outlines conditions for withdrawals and refunds.

SMEA Refund Policy for Junior Honour Groups

Withdrawal on or before August 1, 2025: Full refund minus a $50 administrative fee.

Withdrawal on August 2, 2025 or later: Will result in no refund with the following exceptions:
1. Death or compassionate reason
2. Severe illness accompanied by a physician note

Please note, a conflict with another event will not be eligible for a refund.

* Please note music distribution is planned for early September 2025.