Band – Don Bennett

Don Bennett has been a music educator for 30 years, most of those at the high school level.  His schools’ concert bands, jazz bands and choirs have performed frequently in provincial and national music festivals, receiving excellent reviews.  Students of his have been regularly selected for Provincial and National Honour Bands and Choirs, with one or two each year winning a spot in the American High School Honours Performance Series ensembles, performing in Carnegie Hall.    He has had dozens of former students who have pursued careers as professional musicians and/or music teachers.

Don is a member of the BC Music Educators’ Association, Canadian Music Educators’ Association, BC Band Association, BC Choral Federation, and both the BC and Canadian Coalitions for Music Education.  He has served on the executive of the BCMEA and the Pacific Coast Music Festivals Association, and has presented workshops on brass pedagogy, master teaching and conducting.

Don completed a BMus degree as a trombonist at the University of British Columbia, and a MEd degree at the University of Victoria with a major in instrumental conducting.  He has played with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Viva, has subbed in with the Okanagan and Prince George Symphony Orchestras, and has performed regularly with brass and jazz ensembles.  Principal trombonist of the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra for 26 years, he stepped down last season to pursue other opportunities.  He is co-conductor and trombonist of the Kamloops Brandenburg Orchestra and the Kamloops Community Band.