Band Mentors/Clinicians 
JOE CORMIER & KEN MACKAY

 
We are happy to announce that we have 2 experienced HRCE band teachers to assist you with your program needs. They are available to any HRCE band program / teacher during school hours for clinics,workshops, mock adjudications, recruiting, concert / event planning,rehearsal tips and tricks, repertoire selection, curriculum delivery, and any other general advice on running a successful band program.   

To book one of them please contact:
Ken MacKay          kenneth.mackay@hrsb.ca
​Joe Cormier          jcormier@hrsb.ca


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A native of Truro NS, Ken MacKay first started teaching in the Public School system in 1976 and has been active as an educator as a Clinician, Adjudicator and Soloist throughout his career. After attending Humber College in Toronto, Ken continued teaching at the Cobequid Educational Center in Truro. In 1980 his Jazz Band came first in the High School Jazz band Category at Musicfest Canada. 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 this year 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. 
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​Joseph Cormier is a retired Instrumental music teacher, with The Halifax Regional School Board, after 37 years in Instrumental Music and Band. He continues to work part time as a Band Clinician and Supply teacher for Dartmouth All City and HRCE. His past work includes, Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble, Nova Scotia Junior Wind Ensemble, Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, Chamber Music, Band Tour Director, Acadia University Summer Music Academy, Various Summer Band Camps, High School Musicals and Concert Band Tours in Canada and The United States. He is often sought after as a Band and Chamber Adjudicator throughout the province, including, The Atlantic Band Festival, Kiwanis Music Festival, Community Band organizations and past and present Nova Scotia Music Educators Conventions.
Mr Cormier is a graduate of Dalhousie University School of Music in Halifax in 1980, where he performed with the Dalhousie Concert Band and Brass Ensemble. Over the next twenty years, he performed with The Saint Mary's Basilica Choir, The Chebucto Singers and The Chebucto Symphony Orchestra. He presently continues to perform on trumpet with the Sackville Community Band.
Mr. Cormier is the recipient of numerous music and education awards including several Outstanding  Band Director and Conductor awards from The Nova Scotia Kiwanis Music Festival, MusicFest Canada, Ovations Music Festivals in Toronto and The Heritage International Music Festivals in both New York City and Boston. Many of his students have gone on to the National Youth Band of Canada and the Orchestra of the Americas. In 2012, he was recipient of The Prime Minister's Award of Excellence and Innovation in Teaching. In 2013, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nova Scotia Music Educators Association. His passion to work with all music students continues