East Side Band

Welcome to the East Side Band website. Here you will find information about the band program, its calendar of events, extra curricular opportunities, resources to help your child's playing, as well as lots more.  

Check back often for information about upcoming activities and performances.

Program Philosophy 

It is the philosophy of the East Side Band Program that music education is an essential and irreplaceable part of every student's education. The band program provides its students with educational opportunities that are unique from any other subject. It aims to send well rounded and prepared students on to high school, equipped with valuable skills, habits, knowledge, and confidence. We aim to create a healthy and nurturing musical community, conducive to musical learning that meets high educational standards in line with those of the Brandon School Division.
 
On a regular basis, students will demonstrate a variety of important musical skills in the classroom such as playing with proper technique and characteristic sound, musical interpretation and decision making, cooperation with others in the ensemble, participation in discussions, self-assessment, aural identification and analysis, and completion of musical projects to name a few. Students will also begin to develop important life skills such as leadership, teamwork, effective communication, open mindedness, and creativity through their musical studies. They will also explore music as an important part of our culture and heritage.

Meet the Band Directors

Ms. Erin Dodds graduated from Brandon University from the Concurrent Music Education program. Originally from Saskatchewan, she was raised in Estevan and moved to Brandon to continue her education. While attending Brandon University, Ms. Dodds studied piano with Dr. Joan Miller and flute with Nancy Hennen. Throughout her time at Brandon University, Ms. Dodds was an active clinician, teaching woodwind and brass sectionals throughout the province, performed with different ensembles, and was president of the BUSMEA Council (Brandon University Student Music Educators Association). Ms. Dodds teaches the grade 8 East Side band, co-teaches the grade 7's with Ms. Friesen and will once again be co-directing the Brandon Gr. 8/9 Wind Ensemble with Mr. Cramer this year.  

Ms. Brooklyn Friesen is a graduate of the Concurrent Music Education program at Brandon University where she studied euphonium with Dr. Aaron Wilson. A brass enthusiast, she also performed in various university and community ensembles on trombone and French horn. Throughout her studies Ms. Friesen was a low brass clinician and an executive member of the Brandon University Student Music Educators Association. This year she will be teaching grade 7 band at both the East and West side programs, as well as Jazz Band.