About The
NLBA

The NLBA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support and advocate for wind bands and wind band programs in Newfoundland & Labrador.

Who We Are.

The Newfoundland & Labrador Band Association is the province's official chapter of the Canadian Band Association, and an affiliate of the Newfoundland & Labrador Music Educators' Association. The NLBA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support and advocate for wind bands and wind band programs in Newfoundland & Labrador. The association supports:

Cadet bands
Community bands
Military bands

In December of 1995, Mr. Doug Vaughan attended meetings with the Canadian Band Association. Shortly after, he started the first iteration of the NL chapter of the Canadian Band Association in 1996. The Executive Committee was composed of several band professionals from the province including Doug Vaughan (President), Darrin MacDonald (Vice-President), and Kjellrun Hestekin (Newsletter Editor). This iteration of the NLBA operated until approximately 2001.

The present iteration of the association began during the pandemic. After enduring the impact of COVID-19 restrictions and regulations on wind band programs in the province, and in anticipation of a need for support, a group of individuals convened to develop a plan for a provincial band association. This group met in August of 2020 and consisted of Lynn Tucker (CBA President), Bill Brennan (Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music, MUN), Dr. Don Buell (Professor Emeritus, MUN), Sarah Comerford (Music Specialist, NLESD), Chris Miller (Director, Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band), Dr. Kerri MacPhee (Music Education Instructor, MUN), and Jordan Mills (Music Specialist, NLESD).

After operating as a Provisional Committee for roughly 2 years, the members of the NLBA's Board of Directors were voted in at their first official Biennial General Meeting in November of 2022.

Our History.

Instrumental ensembles
Faith-based bands
School bands

Our Mandates.

Mandate 1

To foster, promote, and encourage the establishment, growth, and development of wind band activity in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mandate 3

To promote the continuous professional development of all members of the association.

Mandate 5

To educate youth about wind band activity in Newfoundland and Labrador and to promote opportunities for their involvement.

Mandate 2

To provide resources, personnel, and advisory services for wind band activities in the community.

Mandate 4

To encourage and facilitate inter-provincial and inter-organizational cooperation in the development and execution of wind band activity.

Mandate 6

To facilitate opportunities for wind band performances in all regions of Newfoundland and Labrador in collaboration with regional representatives and organizations.

Executive Committee.

Board of Directors.

Our Partners.

Canadian Band Association

The Canadian Band Association is a national organization representing and supporting school, university, military and community bands, band directors, students, parents, administrators, the music industry, composers, arrangers and all those interested in bands and band music across Canada.

NL Music Educators' Association

The Newfoundland & Labrador Music Educators' Association (NLMEA) is a professional learning community. The association is a provincial special interest council of the Newfoundland & Labrador Teachers' Association (NLTA) and a part of the NLTA Professional Development Division.

Long & McQuade Musical Instruments

Long & McQuade St. John's is located at 447 Kenmount Road in St. John's, Newfoundland. The store boasts over 16,000 square feet of space, making the store one of the largest in Atlantic Canada. The departments are staffed with knowledgeable, experienced specialists able to answer any questions you may have.

Rotary Music Festival

The Rotary Music Festival was founded in 1989 by a group of music teachers who saw the need for a festival where music making was celebrated while music educators and their students could learn and benefit from the experience. Today’s festival consists of three categories: Choral, Jazz and Wind/Symphonic.

About The
NLBA

Who We Are.