HRA Alternative Offerings for Band Students
Halifax Regional Arts Music (East) are pleased to announce that we will be offering some unique learning opportunities to students in your school this year. Depending on the programing students are interested in, the following three clinicians/directors are available to lead these classes:

Mrs. Pam Paddock
Pam Paddock is a band director and music department head for Halifax Regional Arts (part of Halifax Regional Centre for Education). She directs the HRA Symphonic Band and oversees multiple band, choral and string ensembles, orchestral string lessons and folk string classes ranging from grades 4 to 12. She has taught band within the HRCE since 1996 and has been a clinician for many school bands throughout this time. Pam is also the assistant conductor for the Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble, a member of the artistic team for Music Mentors International, has adjudicated for music festivals, and is co-founder and co-conductor of Glass Winds, a full wind ensemble comprised of all female musicians from across Nova Scotia.
Pam has been a clarinetist in the 36 Canadian Brigade Group Band (Atlantic) from 2005 to 2017. Previously, she was actively involved with the Atlantic Region’s cadet band programs from 1986 to 2002, holding various Cadet Summer Training Center band positions up to and including Greenwood Course Director and HMCS Acadia Director of Music. She also conducted many seminars and workshops for cadet bands throughout the Atlantic provinces.
Pam received her Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Acadia University in 1996 and her Master of Education degree, also from Acadia University, in 2014.

Mr. Kenny MacKay
Ken MacKay first started teaching in the Public School system in 1976 and has been active as an educator, Clinician, Adjudicator and Soloist throughout his career. After attending Humber College in Toronto, Ken continued teaching at the Cobequid Educational Center in Truro. From there Ken began teaching in the Elementary/Junior High schools, his real passion. Ken is Past-President of the Atlantic Federation of Musicians and is currently on the board of NS Honours Jazz. Ken retired in 2018 from Astral Drive Junior High where he has been Director of Bands for over 20 years. Ken’s list of his professional credits is impressive. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Regis Philbin, Natalie Cole, jazz great Ernie Watts, Mary Wilson (The Supremes),Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd, daughter of the blues Shirley King, Rosemary Clooney, the Temptations, and Lionel Ritchie are just a few of the artists Ken has shared the stage with. Locally he performs and has recorded with Scott n’ the Rocks, The Swell Guys, The Back Alley Big Band, Asia
NuGruv, Terry Hatty and The Aviators. Ken's ability to play a variety of musical styles has established him as one of the most exciting and sought after sax players in Eastern Canada.

Mr. Patrick Forde
Patrick was born in Halifax, NS, and raised in Hammonds Plains. In 1988, he joined the 36 Canadian Brigade (NS). During his career, Patrick has performed on saxophone, clarinet, flute and percussion. He was commissioned in May 2001, at which time he assumed the duty of Director of Music of the 36 CBG (NS) Band and in October 2006 was appointed G1 Bands (Music advisor and Inspector of Reserve bands within Atlantic Canada).
In 1997 Patrick joined the “Legendary Echoes” and remained with them until they became the backbone of the Sounds of Motown. He has performed with many different artists throughout the Atlantic Provinces since the late 80’s and is proud to be one of the founding members and since 2013, the leader of the Sounds of Motown.

Patrick began teaching instrumental music in the Halifax Regional centre for Education in 1997, bringing his love for music to a new generation.
Some examples of the learning opportunities we may be able to offer are:
● Jazz Combo
● Small Rock Band
● Ska Band
● Saxophone quartet
● Small ensembles (mixed)
● Concert band
● Jazz Band
● Basic Band Arranging and composition

Interested students are asked to fill out a google form so that we can determine where the interest lies and what programs we can offer: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfugzeRh91AzsSPfG7gpMJJF2RoiY3d... We plan to do in-person rehearsals when possible, depending on the interest and scheduled time(s) allotted for your school.

For more information please contact Mrs. Pam Paddock, Department Head, Halifax Regional Arts (Music East) at ppaddock@gnspes.ca or 902-435-8464.