A look back at past years, and a look ahead at our tenth anniversary!

Bandology – More music for more kids 

January 2026

Band Camp turns ten this July. Ten! When Bandology began a decade ago, we couldn't imagine what our local Band Camp would become. Over that time, we’ve welcomed more than four hundred campers into our Bandology family and brought music to thousands of people across Ontario. I’ve had the joy of working alongside dozens of enthusiastic staff members who love helping make music education more accessible, and met so many wonderful educators, community leaders and parents who believe in the power of music. 

 

Bandology has grown into so much more than an idea tossed around on road trips and between parents, and I am so excited for what comes next. On behalf of myself, our Board of Directors and the whole Bandology team (past and present!), thank you so much for your support over this decade. We are so grateful, and we can’t wait to see what the next ten years brings!

 
 
 

Lisa Michaels

Music Parent

Executive Director

Co-Founder

10 Years of Music and Community

2026 marks Bandology’s tenth year in operation! We’re so thrilled to have been able to bring music to our community for the past decade, we can’t believe it. No, really–how did we get here, anyway? Let’s take a look back!

2016

On a roadtrip, the idea of Bandology pops into Lisa’s head. How could we bring more music to keen young musicians? I know - let’s run a band camp!

2017

The very first Band Camp launches in Halton with 14 students, in the music room at King's Christian Collegiate in Oakville. This has been our home for Band Camp Halton for 10 years!

2018

Play A Gig launches with its first performances, giving young musicians opportunities to perform in the community.

2019

Band Camp turns three, welcoming 28 campers and 4 summer staff! Band Camp is twice the size, and we can't wait to see what 2020 holds.

2020

Pandemic - huh! So we pivot! Online programming explodes with our Virtual Performance, Livestream and Musician Showcase series.

2021

Band Camp Junior debuts as in-person programming starts up again! We also launched our Music Workshops program (hello buckets!) – this will grow far larger and faster than we could have imagined at the start.

2022

Bandology hits the road with Band Camp in multiple locations for the first time: Halton and Grand River! And then we go international with our first speaking engagement outside of Canada at the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra conference in Chicago.

 

2023

We partner with the Laurier Academy of Music and Arts to run the first March Break Music Camp. While we’re at it – let’s run Band Camp in three locations this summer! As if we’re not busy enough, our Instrument Library officially launches, providing accessible instrument loans to families in our community.

2024

We commission our first-ever original piece for camp, composed by a Band Camp alum! Rockway Mennonite Collegiate welcomes us for Band Camp Kitchener-Waterloo for the first time.

2025

Biggest camp year with over 100 campers – our team got really good with remembering names (mostly!). In fact, it’s our biggest year of programming ever, bringing music to over 6000 people in our community!

Curious About Our Work in 2025?

2025 was a wonderfully busy year for Bandology! We had our biggest programming year ever, with more participants, more campers and more instrument loans than ever before.

 

Click here to read our full 2025 Impact Report for the full breakdown of what we accomplished.

 

Join Us For Band Camp's Tenth Year!

Sign up now so you don't miss out! Registration is open for all FIVE weeks of camp in 2026. We'd love to see you this year, as we celebrate everything Bandology has accomplished.

 

March Break Music Camp takes place March 16-20, 2026 in Waterloo. Register soon using this link - spots are filling up fast!

 

Band Camp takes place:

  • July 6-10, 2026 – Kitchener-Waterloo
  • July 20-24, 2026 – Halton
  • July 27-31, 2026 – Guelph
  • August 10-14, 2026 – Halton

Register for Band Camp by following this link! You can learn more at bandology.ca/band-camps.

 

Looking for a Local Spotlight?

The Halton Learning Foundation is hosting their annual Students in the Spotlight! Auditions are now open for students in the Halton District School Board (both elementary and secondary). They are accepting submissions for live performances as well as visual artwork for their new Art Exhibition.

 

Learn more at: haltonlearningfoundation.ca/students-spotlight2

 

Music in the Community

Oakville Symphony - Untamed

When: Saturday, January 31 and Sunday February 1, various times

Where: Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, 130 Navy Street, Oakville

An evening of passion, drama, and fearless virtuosity awaits. Local piano sensation Ryan Huang brings fiery intensity and exhilarating precision to Liszt’s dazzling Piano Concerto No. 1. Experience emotional depth and sweeping lyrical beauty in Rachmaninoff’s romantic and expansive Symphony No. 2. The concert also features the Canadian premiere of Schreker’s lush Symphonic Interlude from Der Schatzgräber, an operatic soundscape brimming with romance, mystery, and adventure.

Learn more: oakvillesymphony.com/concerts

 

Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra - Winter Concert

When: Saturday, February 7 at 1pm

Where: L.R. Wilson Hall, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton

The Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra concludes the Fall/Winter term with a performance featuring music by Verdi, Prokofiev, Leonard Bernstein and French composer Cécile Chaminade’s Flute Concertino featuring soloist Niamh Mercer!

Learn more: hpo.org/event/hpyo-winter-concert

 

Mississauga Symphony Orchestra - Quartetto Gelato

When: Saturday, February 7 at 8pm

Where: Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Drive, Mississauga

Known for their dazzling virtuosity, rich musicality, and irresistible charm, Quartetto Gelato brings a globe-trotting program that blends classical masterworks with tangos, gypsy melodies, folk songs, and more. With their signature mix of artistry, passion, and playful humour, this concert promises to entertain, delight, and inspire music lovers of all ages. A musical journey around the world—without ever leaving your seat!

Learn more: mississaugasymphony.ca/concerts

 

Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra - Mozart’s Don Giovanni

When: Saturday, February 7 at 7:30pm

Where: Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson Street East, Ancaster

Mozart’s iconic opera Don Giovanni blends wit and tragedy to weave a musical story of seduction, scandal and revenge, where desire can be dangerous, and charm has consequences. The HPO is thrilled to collaborate with COSA (Centre for Opera Studies & Appreciation) on sharing the magic of opera with Hamilton. Join us in Ancaster for a fully-staged production of an abridged Don Giovanni.

Learn more: hpo.org/event/hpo-don-giovanni

 

Burlington Symphony Orchestra - Nordic Echoes

When: Sunday, February 8 at 3pm

Where: Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust Street, Burlington

Enjoy the richness of the Sibelius’ “Symphony No. 2” as well as the “Grieg Piano Concerto” with special guest: Alexandra Ma, piano (a BSO Young Artist Competition winner)

Learn more: burlingtonsymphony.ca/nordic-echoes

 

Cambridge Symphony Orchestra - Hearts on Fire

When: Friday, February 13 at 8pm

Where: Tapestry Hall, 74 Grand Avenue, Cambridge

Back by popular demand, the CSO proudly presents Hearts on Fire: A Valentine’s Concert, featuring the extraordinary vocal talents of Joey Nicoforo and Sara Papini. Indulge in an unforgettable evening of romance, music, and artistry.

Learn more: cambridgeorchestra.ca/heartsonfire2026

 

London Symphonia - Love and Romance with Denise Pelley

When: Saturday, February 14 at 7:30pm

Where: Metropolitan United, 468 Wellington Street, London

This Valentine’s Day enjoy some of the greatest romantic music written from pop to beloved orchestral masterworks. Love songs by the Bee Gees, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner and many more performed by London’s own Denise Pelley, original poetry read by Roy Lewis, and romantic orchestral favourites such as the Adagietto from Mahler’s 5th Symphonia (originally written as a love song to his wife), will make the evening unforgettably special. 

Learn more: londonsymphonia.ca/event/love-and-romance-denise-pelley

 

Kitchener Waterloo Community Orchestra - Family & Friends Concert

When: Saturday, February 14 at 7:30pm

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb Street West, Waterloo

As our original program with Christine Vlajk has been postponed, we are excited to present a special Valentine’s concert filled with heart-warming passion and beauty: Full Orchestra: Vaughan Williams - English Folk Song Suite; Mendelssohn - Symphony #5 Reformation.

Learn more: kwco.org/feb14-2026

 

Toronto Symphony Orchestra - Mahler’s Ninth

When: Thursday, February 19 - Sunday, February 22, various times

Where: Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto

Mahler’s Ninth Symphony is a breathtaking exploration of life, love, and loss. Music Director Gustavo Gimeno guides your TSO through this monumental masterpiece, offering an unforgettable experience of profound emotion and transcendent artistry.

Learn more: tso.ca/concerts-and-events/calendar

 

Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony - Genius & Inspiration

When: Friday, February 20 at 7:30pm

Where: St Matthews Centre, 54 Benton Street, Kitchener

Don't miss this one! Another former KWS music director, the brilliant Edwin Outwater, returns after his 2025 success to lead superstar Canadian pianist Janina Fialkowska in Beethoven’s beloved Fourth Piano Concerto.

Learn more: kwsymphony.com/allconcerts

 

Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra - Death & Transfiguration

When: Saturday, February 21 at 3pm

Where: George Weston Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge Street, North York

Discover Jean Coulthard’s Endymion, a lush, moonlit tone poem that transports listeners into the dreamy world of classical myth. Then, Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin charms with its elegant, Baroque-inspired dances. Finally, Richard Strauss’s Death and Transfiguration portrays life’s final moments and the promise of transcendence. Through evocative melodies and full-bodied orchestration, Strauss invites listeners on a profound journey from struggle to eternal peace.

Learn more: tso.ca/concerts-and-events/calendar

 

Oakville Chamber Orchestra - Party!

When: Saturday, February 21 at 7:30pm

Where: Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, 130 Navy Street, Oakville

A collection of super fun 20th century music! The Threepenny Opera Music contains the famous Mack the Knife, and the Shostakovich and Milhaud are very entertaining pieces.

Learn more: oakvillechamber.org/2025-26-party

 

Niagara Symphony Orchestra - Eroica

When: Sunday, February 22 at 2:30pm

Where: Partridge Hall 250 St Paul Street, St. Catharines

Get ready for a concert that radiates boldness, brilliance, and pure musical fire! The afternoon opens with Wagner’s Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Then, rising star William Leathers takes the spotlight for John Estacio’s electrifying Trumpet Concerto. To close, Beethoven’s revolutionary Symphony No. 3, "Eroica" storms the stage. Three bold voices. One unforgettable afternoon. This is music that dares to be great.

Learn more: niagarasymphony.com/concerts

 

Toronto Symphony Orchestra - Year of the Horse: A Lunar New Year Celebration

When: Saturday, February 28 at 7:30pm

Where: Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto

Ring in the Year of the Horse with a joyous celebration of music and tradition that's fun for the whole family! Comedian Dashan, conductor Carolyn Kuan, and renowned pipa virtuoso Wu Man join your Toronto Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable evening filled with vibrant works that capture the spirit of renewal and prosperity for the Lunar New Year. Plus, 15-year-old Toronto pianist Ryan Huang—a Lang Lang International Music Foundation Young Scholar—will perform the first movement from Grieg’s instantly recognizable Piano Concerto. Arrive early for our Asian artisan market, lion dancers and more!

Learn more: tso.ca/concerts-and-events/calendar

 

Wellington Winds Symphony - Maslanka Symphony No. 4

When: Sunday, March 1 at 3pm

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb Street West, Waterloo

Experience the incredible Symphony No. 4 by David Maslanka, along with the music of Steven Bryant, Giuseppe Verdi, and Jeff Tyzik. We are excited to be joined by special guests The Spitfire Brass Quintet of the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Learn more: wellingtonwindsymphony.ca/maslanka-symphony-no-4

 

Mississauga Symphony Youth Orchestra - The Opera Experience

When: Sunday, March 1 at 3pm

Where: Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Drive, Mississauga

The Opera Experience will offer a captivating introduction to the world of opera – perfect for seasoned opera lovers and newcomers alike.

Learn more: mississaugasymphony.ca/concerts/the-opera-experience.

 

What I Love About Band Camp!

“What I love about Band Camp is that you get to learn new instruments and rhythms everyday and do different activities.”

– Emy, Band Camper 2024 and 2025

 

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