Canadian Wind Repertoire, 2006-2021

Compiled by Pratik Gandhi

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Note: I have not created profiles for composers who have only written one or two works for band; so not all composers whose works are listed in the Repertoire section will have profiles in the Composer section.

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Project Description

This database of Canadian wind repertoire written between 2006 and 2021 was created in partial fulfillment of course requirements for my doctoral studies at York University. Following Michael Burch-Pesses’ seminal work, Canadian Band Music (2008), I wished to shine a light on the greater diversity of Canadian composers who have been writing music for winds in the last fifteen years. This resource is intended as a public service for music educators and students in Canada and everywhere.

Scope

At present, this database includes almost exclusively original works for wind band by Canadian composers, written between 2006 and 2021. It does include a small number of arrangements and transcriptions of Canadian pieces written for other ensembles, where both the composition and the arrangement were completed between 2006 and 2021. The database does not currently include:

• arrangements or transcriptions of works composed before 2006, even if the arrangement/transcription was completed after 2006
• re-issues or re-publications of works composed before 2006
• arrangements of commercial music, including music for film, television, and video games (however, some arrangements of traditional or folk music have been included)
• arrangements of seasonal music, either traditional or commercial (however, original seasonal compositions have been included)
• the significant number of works written for flexible and adaptable ensembles during the COVID-19 pandemic

Methodology

The information in this database was compiled primarily from the websites of the composers and publishers, but also from other public records where available, and from the library records of the Canadian Music Centre (with permission from CMC). Composers and publishers were also contacted in order to verify the information to the extent possible.

Contact

To report errors, or to submit composers, works, or missing information, please contact me directly at pgmusic [at] yorku [dot] ca.

Acknowledgments

This database builds on the work of band directors and academics across the country who have invested much time and effort in researching, writing about, and compiling lists of Canadian repertoire for winds, including: S. Timothy Maloney (National Library of Canada, University of Minnesota); Keith Kinder (emeritus, McMaster University); Michael Purves-Smith (emeritus, Wilfrid Laurier University); Gillian MacKay and Jeff Reynolds (University of Toronto); Mark Hopkins (Acadia University); Fraser Linklater (retired, University of Manitoba); Alain Cazes (retired, McGill University); Jason Caslor (Memorial University of Newfoundland, Arizona State University); Denise Grant; and Darrin Oehlerking (University of Saskatchewan). I must also make special mention of Michael Burch-Pesses (Pacific University, Oregon), whose book provided not only substantial inspiration for this database, but also a concrete limitation for the date range I chose to include. Thanks also to Dylan Maddix (Memorial University of Newfoundland) for his help digitizing and filling out Dr. Hopkins’ list of repertoire; to Matthew Fava and Joseph Glaser, former and current Ontario regional directors of the Canadian Music Centre, for their collaborative spirit; to Brett Thompson of AMPD Computing at York University for technical support; to Meera Mohindra for assistance with data entry; and to my supervisor, Bill Thomas, for his ongoing support and guidance.

Researcher Biography

Pratik Gandhi is a conductor, percussionist, clinician, and researcher based in Toronto. He currently serves as music director of the Rouge River Winds, sessional lecturer in the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, and vice-chair of the Concert Band Division of MusicFest Canada. Pratik is pursuing a PhD in music at York University, where his research, supported by an Ontario Graduate Scholarship, investigates issues of equity and representation among wind band composers in Canada.

Pratik has been an active member of the wind band community in Canada for over a decade, and is passionate about creating space and opportunities within it for composers from historically excluded groups. Recent publications include a feature on Cait Nishimura’s “Lake Superior Suite” for WASBE World and an analysis of composer representation on Canadian festival syllabus lists for Canadian Winds. Pratik holds degrees in music education and conducting from Western University.