Brandon West Middle School Band

February 9, 2022

Welcome to the BWMSB website - a source for information regarding the Brandon West Band Program. Forms and Letters are available in PDF format as well as a course outline and important links. A calendar of events for this year is also available.

What is the Brandon West Band Program?

Photo Courtesy of the Brandon Sun The Brandon West Middle Schools Band Program is currently under the direction of Graydon Cramer and Brooklyn Friesen. It is offered to any interested students in Grades 7-8 from BSD schools. It is one of four programs (Vincent Massey, Crocus Plains/Neelin, East Side Bands, and Brandon West Bands) offered under the umbrella of BSIMA. (Brandon Schools Instrumental Music Association). Band classes are taught at Waverly Park and students are transported by bus three times a cycle for their instruction.

In addition to band classes, there are opportunities for students to perform throughout the year in extra curricular activities. This includes jazz bands, wind ensemble, honour bands, band trips, festivals, and other performance opportunities.

Meet The Directors

Mr. Graydon Cramer is a graduate of Brandon University’s music education program and is thrilled at the chance to oversee a band program in his hometown of Brandon where he has been very involved in the local music scene. This will be his seventh year directing the Brandon West band program. During the last six years he has also directed Jazz bands and a Wind Ensemble as extra-curricular groups for students in the program. Outside of school he is also a member of Brandon’s community band, sits on the board of the Manitoba Band Association, the Association of Music Administrators of Manitoba, and the Westman Band Director’s Association. Mr. Cramer also maintains a musical performance career as a drummer and percussionist, teaches private drum-set students and has served as a clinician for many musical camps, workshops, and festivals over the last ten years.

Ms. Brooklyn Friesen is a graduate of the Concurrent Music Education program at Brandon University where she studied euphonium with Dr. Aaron Wilson. Throughout her studies Ms. Friesen was a low brass clinician and an executive member of the Brandon University Student Music Educators Association. This year she will be teaching grade 7/8 band at both the East and West side programs. Though she is originally from Winnipeg, Ms. Friesen has spent the last seven years making Brandon home.