Conservatory Big Band

with Dan Davis

For Ages 16+ | Big Band Instrumentalists – Intermediate to Advanced

Big Band is an exceptional educational opportunity for jazz musicians ages 16 and up to perform as an ensemble. Band members perform works by local jazz artists and compositions from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and other greats! Placement auditions are required and will take place on September 1, 2026.

Big Band performs twice each year. Additional performance opportunities may be offered throughout the year.

Program Details

  • Intended For: Intermediate to Advanced Big Band Instrumentalists and Vocalists aged 16+
  • Schedule: Tuesday Evenings from 7:30 – 9:30 PM starting September 15, 2026 until May 4, 2027
  • Price: $500 / person

Eligibility

Big Band includes the following instruments:

  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Saxophone
  • Bass
  • Drums
  • Guitar
  • Piano
  • Voice

Please note that while applications for all instruments are accepted, openings may be limited. Big Band musicians should be playing at an intermediate to advanced level on their instruments and must be able to read charts.

How to Apply

Submit the online Student Application Form. New applicants to the Big Band will be invited to a live audition.

Apply Now

Audition Requirements

All applicants should have at least 2 years of experience playing their instruments and be able to read charts.

The live audition for Big Band will have 3 parts:

  1. Sight Reading.
  2. Prepared piece. Jazz preferred, but anything that showcases your skills will work well.
  3. Improvising (optional)--Bb blues, accompanied by a play along. 

Musicians who have participated in past sessions of Big Band at the MacEwan Conservatory are not required to re-audition.

Meet Your Director: Dan Davis

Dan Davis is a saxophonist and educator from Edmonton AB. He completed his Masters in Jazz Studies at the University of South Florida in 2009. He leads the Way Back Whens, a brand new trad-jazz band that to released their debut record “Live at the Yardbird Suite” in 2024. Dan is also a member of The Brasstactics, Canada’s loudest brass party band. In 2015 Dan’s composition “What Happens Next” received an Edmonton Music Award for Best Jazz Recording.

Dan has been fortunate enough to perform with Caity Gyorgy, Tommy Banks, Jim Head, Robi Botos, Joel Gray, Juno winners Mike Murley and Kevin Turcotte, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra and the Glen Miller Orchestra.

Currently, Dan is the acting head of the wind department at MacEwan University, and an instructor at the Conservatory at the Winspear Centre for Music.