Canadian Provincial Honour Bands
Provincial Honour Bands are a fantastic way for young, emerging musicians to experience a higher level ensemble while making connections with other young musicians and professionals. Each provincial honour band has their own band at different times, but don't worry, Bassoonist Amelia Walker has compiled all of the information. Everything you need to know to navigate the many options is at your fingertips below, just keep reading to find the right honour band for you.
British Columbia Honour Band
Held in conjunction with British Columbia Music Educators’ Association (BCMEA) conference, Wind Ensemble Honour Ensemble will feature a guest conductor from around the world and some of the top young musicians in British Columbia. Online auditions must be submitted by May 9th at 11:59 pm PST. Students also have the opportunity to attend live auditions. For more details on the on live audition, application and audition forms, and audition material visit their website listed below.
Alberta Band Association-Youth Wind Symphony of Alberta & Alberta Junior Honour Bands
Youth Wind Symphony
This year the Alberta Youth Wind Symphony will be held in Red Deer, Alberta. The Youth Wind Symphony provides high school aged musicians the opportunity to work with some of the top band conductors nationally and internationally. The deadline to submit recommendations and audition for the Youth Wind Symphony is May 15th, 2026. Please refer to the website to find more information about the application process, rehearsals, and final concert dates and times. Rehearsals will happen on September 26 and October 22-24, 2026.The concert will happen on October 24, 2026.
Learn MoreNorthern and Southern Alberta Junior Honour Bands
Alberta Band Association (ABA) also has two Junior Honour Bands, one located in southern Alberta and one in northern Alberta. It is open to students who show excellence in their band programs. Leading music educators in the province will guide these students through three days of fun and intensive rehearsals. At the end of the program, students will have a concert performance. Participation in the Northern or Southern Junior Honour Band is by teacher/ conductor’s recommendation. Recommendations typically open in November and the deadline to submit them is early December. Typically, the rehearsals and final concert happen in mid February. Please refer to the website for deadlines, information on rehearsals, and final concert.
Learn MoreSaskatchewan Band Association -Saskatchewan Youth Band Junior Honour Bands
Saskatchewan Youth Band (SYB) Junior Honour Bands is open to dedicated grade 7 and 8 students from around Saskatchewan. Nominations close in late January and students can be recommended by their Band Teachers. Rehearsals and final performance happen in April and sometimes a second performance can happen in May.
Learn MoreManitoba Band Association - Senior Honour Band, Intermediate Honour Band, Junior Honour Band
The Manitoba Band Association (MBA) provides the opportunity for exceptional junior, intermediate and senior musicians the chance to gather and perform. Please see below more information on each ensemble.
The Senior Honour Band
The Senior Honour Band is open to instrumentalists in grades 9-12. The final concert happens in November and rehearsals happen in late October to early November. Please refer to the website to find more information on how to apply and audition.
Learn MoreThe Intermediate Honour Band
The Intermediate Honour Band is open to instrumentalists in grades 9-10. Rehearsals happen in late April to early May. The final concert is also in early May. The deadline to apply happens in late March. Please refer to the website to find more information on how to apply and audition.
Learn MoreThe Junior Honour Band
The Junior Honour Band is open to instrumentalists in grade 5-8. Students will participate in a final performance in May, and a few rehearsals in late April. The deadline to apply is in late March. Please refer to the website to find more information on how to apply and audition.
Learn MoreOntario Band Association - Ontario Provincial Honour Band
The Ontario Band Association (OBA) invites every high school student attending a high school in Ontario to audition for a four day event of fun intensive rehearsals. Rehearsals will happen from November 4th-7th, 2026. Auditions are due on May 20, 2026. Please refer to the website for more information on audition guidelines, rules, and rehearsal locations.
Learn MoreQuebec Band Association - Junior, Intermediate and Senior Honour Bands
The Quebec Band Association (QBA) has three honour bands at three different levels:
- The Junior Honour Band is open to grades 6-8 and to individuals who have only played their instruments for a year or two.
- The Intermediate Honour Band is open to grades 8-11, and it is expected that students have 2 or more years of experience on their instrument.
- The Senior Honour Band (also known as the McGill Honour Band) is open to grades 10-11 and open to individuals who have 3 or more years experience on their instrument.
Newfoundland and Labrador Band Association - NLBA Provincial Honour Band
In November 2025, the Newfoundland and Labrador Band Association’s (NLBA) started a provincial honour band. It brings together exceptional high school wind, brass, and percussion students from across the province. These students will participate in three days of rehearsals, ending in a public concert. Last year this event happened at the end of November. For the 2026 year, more information is scheduled to come in fall 2026. Please refer to the website for more information on the application process, fees, and audition guidelines.
Learn MoreConclusion
As someone who had the opportunity to participate in a provincial honour band, I would highly recommend this experience to high school students interested in pursuing music. I participated in the ABA’s Youth Wind Symphony program seven years ago, and I can say the connections I made with fellow younger musicians still has an impact on my experience now as a young musician.
I hope this list of resources encourages young musicians to participate in this amazing learning experience.
Please note that Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick have not yet listed an opportunity to participate in a provincial honour band. I would encourage you to visit the websites listed above to learn more about the honour bands for Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador.