Toronto Membership and Class Registration for 2025-2026
All Toronto classes are held at 662 Victoria Park Ave
Membership and Class Registration Open as of Aug 1st 2025
Please reference the Weekly Agenda for class offerings
If you are new to NHBT you can register (for free) as a Friend of NHBT so that we can be in touch when registration or events happen
Information boxes with more information appear below > click to open or close
Returning member? ~ Login first, then select summer classes, then checkout to pre-register for summer classes
New to NHBT? ~ Select summer classes then checkout to create account and pre-register for summer classes
Account Login
If you created a personal account with the NHBT online store during a previous registration, please login to enable registration
If you don’t yet have an account with us, skip this login, order your membership below and an account will be created for you at the Checkout page
Wondering about the status of your current or previous orders with NHBT?
Leave this Registration Page to view:
If not yet an account holder, you will be creating a personal account with the information you enter in the checkout form.
Unsure? – Your email address will be checked against our records and if you have an account, you will be asked to login at Checkout.
As an account holder, you will then have two personalized web pages showing:
- Your order completion details
- Your membership and class registration status
On account creation, an email will provide a user id and invite you to set your password. You will want to record that password information safely. If you forget it, you can use your user id or email address to reset.
Use your user name (assigned by us) or your email address plus your unique password when logging in to register for classes, extending your membership or registering for our general interest or Music for Life workshops.
Your login enables access to the NHBT Members page.
You can keep your account logged in or log out via the Registration or Members pages.
Toronto Class Registration
Class registrations require that you have an account with NHBT and an active Membership
A membership enables you to then register for corresponding classes, each at their own cost
Registration for classes requires purchase of an NHBT membership that is active for that period of time
We offer a range of membership durations to match your interests
Memberships only become active after your order for your chosen membership option has been completed i.e. paid
Only classes that correspond to your active Membership appear for selection during class registration
Classes run for a defined period of time and are individually priced
Class registrations only become active after your order for a chosen class has been completed i.e. paid
Membership Duration: Memberships are offered on an Annual or per Term basis
If registered for in-person but unable to attend on a specific date, you will be able to join remotely. You join these classes as a remote participant using the Zoom link provided on the Members page. You clearly hear and see the band teacher conducting and play along with the in-person band. You participate in a live rehearsal and benefit from hearing your part in context but others will not hear you play.
Concert, Symphonic Wind Symphony in-person capacity is limited to 50 people due to room size.
Big Band in-person capacity is limited to 35 people due to instrument balance. While instrumentation is open to all concert band instruments, there are limits on how many saxophones, by type e.g. alto, tenor.
Concert Band or Big Band Classes are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – All in-person classes are held at 662 Victoria Park Ave (North-West corner of Victoria Park and Danforth Ave) immediately south of the Victoria Park subway and bus TTC station.
Registration for classes requires an Annual or corresponding Term membership
Annual Membership is $300 (includes Term 1 and Term 2)
OR
Term 1 ~ September – December (14 weeks) Membership is $150
Term 2 ~ January – May (17 weeks) Membership is $160
~~~
Annual Concert Band, Big Band, and Choir classes are $205 each (31 weeks of 2-hour classes)
OR
Term 1 Concert Band and Big Band classes are $95 each (14 weeks of 2-hour classes)
Term 2 Concert Band and Big Band classes are $110 each (17 weeks of 2-hour classes)
As a registered charity, NHBT is able to provide you with an income tax receipt for the organizational membership portion of your fees (class fees are not tax-deductible)
Classes are offered as daytime or evening options for many (but not all) Concert Band or Big Band classes
New for 2025-26 ~ Choir for All & Green Band 1
Choir for All on Wednesdays 1-3pm in the sanctuary at 662 Victoria Park is a new way to enrich your experience of music. Learn to sing with others under the inspiring leadership of Barry Peters. See the Leadership page for details. This is an Annual class that is offered at $205 for 31 weeks of 2-hour classes. Open to Annual NHBT members or those who take a membership limited to this choir class, for a reduced fee of $100.
Green Band 1 on Thursdays 3-5pm is for those who are new or returning to music. This is a Term 1 class that is offered at $95 for 14 weeks of 2-hour classes.
Please use the class descriptions to learn more about these classes. We welcome newcomers!
Policy Updates
NHBT policies and safety protocols have been updated as of Feb 23, 2025
NHBT Diversity Statement
NHBT provides a safe and welcoming space where adults can learn how to play an instrument and make music together – regardless of their nationality, race, creed, or sexual orientation. We recognize and value the contribution of all who walk through our doors and condemn discrimination of any kind. There is power and beauty in the diversity of music just as there is in human diversity.
Code of Conduct
The following information is provided to inform members of their responsibilities at NHBT. This applies to behaviour during large band classes, sectionals or small ensemble rehearsals, concerts social events, or any other gathering of members participating in and/or representing NHBT. If a member behaves in an objectionable manner, creates disharmony with other band members or with instructors during any related NHBT activity, then that member’s membership in NHBT may be revoked. The Board of Directors will review such situations on a case-by-case basis.
Attendance
In fairness to other band members and NHBT’s desire to produce high quality performances, members should make every effort to attend all classes/rehearsals. If a member must take a leave of absence or is otherwise unable to perform, they should make best efforts to inform the instructor(s) of their absence in advance.
Concert Decorum
Members should conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times while at the concert venue. Members are encouraged to assist with set-up before, and clean- up after, a concert. Members should adhere to the concert dress code.
Music Management
Musical parts are made available to registered class members via the NHBT Dropbox online. Members need to download these to their devices or print them and bring them to class. Members may be asked to play any of the pieces that are assigned for any given term at any time during the term. All of the music that NHBT uses is copyrighted so you cannot share your music charts with anyone outside of NHBT.
Dispute resolution
If there is a serious conflict or disagreement between members of NHBT every effort should be made to resolve the matter in a friendly manner to achieve a mutually satisfactory resolution for all parties. If the dispute cannot be settled between the parties then the Board shall discuss and make a decision (by simple majority vote) on the matter having given all aggrieved parties the opportunity to put their side of the issue before the board either in writing or orally.
Infection Control
NHBT Policy for Infection Control
The global COVID pandemic has highlighted the need for a clear approach to infection control at NHBT, especially for respiratory viruses spread by aerosol contamination.
Since most of our members are seniors this puts NHBT membership in the high-risk category for negative outcomes from respiratory infection.
NHBT will follow all of the current government guidelines for infection control and may, at times, require masking, proof of vaccination and evidence of negative tests, depending on what the current guidelines require.
NHBT policy for infection control requires that any member, teacher or visitor who is feeling unwell should not attend any in-person classes or enter the NHBT premises.
NHBT has put in place some guidelines to reduce the chances of person-to-person spread of infectious virions:
- All four HEPA air filtration units in the band room should be turned on for at least 15 minutes before class; turned on during the break; and left on between morning and afternoon classes. The filtration units do not need to be turned on during class.
- All members should vacate the band room during the break to allow the air to be cleared by the filtration units.
- NHBT provides an ample supply of hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial hand soap and paper towels in the washrooms.
- Participants should provide their own cloths and ensure no “spit” is left behind on the floors or chairs.
- Participants are encouraged to wear masks during break during peak respiratory infection season and/or on the case of a local respiratory infection outbreak.
Admission to Classes
All classes are open to members who have paid their membership fees subject to the following guidelines.
Instructor permission is required for all classes. More advanced classes require a higher level of musical expertise. If an instructor feels that a member does not have the level of expertise required for the advanced class, they will advise the member to take a more basic class rather than the more advanced class.
Big Band classes are open to all instruments that repertoire charts are available for. Generally, all instruments traditionally included in Big Bands, Dance Bands, Stage Bands or Jazz Combos have repertoire available from publishers. There are some restrictions on the number of certain instruments in each Band.
The Big Band instructor examines the applications to the Big Bands and decides which members to admit based on expertise and balance within the band.
For the Big Band classes, where possible, preference will be given to members who are also members of one of the Concert Bands or Symphonic Bands.
Final decision about admission into the Big Bands remains in the hands of the instructor.
Because the two Concert Bands perform together at end-of-term and end-of- year concerts, any member who has paid their class fee for one of the Concert Bands can attend the other Concert Band without charge. It does not apply to the Big Bands.
Notwithstanding this guideline, the final decision on admission to any band rests with the instructor.
Committee Responsibilities
The NHBT Board has created a number of committees with specific responsibilities. All committees report directly to the Board. The following are the current continuing Board committees. The Board, from time to time, also creates ad-hoc short-term committees that have a specific one-time purpose.
Program Committee
The program committee is mandated to examine all aspects of the music program and provide advice to the Board as to best practice going forward. The program committee works closely with the Head of Music Program (if any) and monitors the success of our music program as well as providing input into potential program modification. The President is always a member of this committee as the President serves as the direct conduit between the Board and the instructors. The program committee is mandated to provide the Board with a draft program proposal by February of every year that outlines the proposed program for the following academic year.
Fundraising committee
The mandate of the fundraising committee is to develop fundraising strategies for NHBT and pursue those strategies after Board approval. The fundraising committee is mandated to annually provide the Board with a fundraising strategy for the following year at the September Board meeting.
Copyright
The music charts provided to members for learning and practice are copyright protected. NHBT acts within the confines of the Copyright Act of Canada (2016). This means that charts may not be shared with others or used for any other purpose than teaching and learning under the umbrella of the NHBT organization. Notwithstanding the above, in compliance with the “Fair Dealing” section of the Act, NHBT may share up to 10% of a musical score with others without breaching the copyright agreement. In practice this means that the instructors score (which includes all instruments) may not be shared but an individual chart can be shared provided it does not constitute more than 10% of the entire musical score. Note that NHBT as the copyright licensee can share under the Fair Dealing clause but individual members may not share their charts with anyone outside the NHBT organization. Further information about copyright can be obtained by examining the Copyright Act of Canada (2016) or a document prepared for educational institutions called “Copyright Matters”.
Registration Information
Registration is a 2-Step Process
You create two registration orders – the first one is for membership. When that order is complete, you then return to this registration page and create another order for your classes
You need to complete payment for your membership order before being able to see or select class buttons
Please note the option of credit card payment (added for 2025-26) that allows the immediate processing of membership and class orders.
- Please place one order per person. Do not combine orders.
- Click on program names on each button to read about them in more detail.
- If you want to select a program, “Add to cart” from either the program button or the detail. You are adding to your shopping cart.
- Review your shopping cart contents and total fees and adjust as needed by clicking on the Shopping Cart Total value.
- When you are ready, follow the prompts to go to the checkout page.
- Items in your shopping cart are checked for consistency – you may find warnings that need to be acknowledged. If there is an error that needs your correction, use your browser page back function to return to the previous page where you can adjust the contents of your cart.
- Enter or update your contact and other information on the checkout page.
- Select the form of payment – either credit card (default), or eTransfer / cheque
- Place your order using the button at the bottom of the form.
- If you pay via credit card, your payment and order are completed in one step. A completed membership order unlocks the ability to order class(es).
- If you pay via eTransfer or cheque, there will be a delay while we receive and process your payment. You will receive an email acknowledging your order with a confirmation message asking for payment.
- Once your payment has been received and processed you will get a final “order completed” email and gain access to Member or Class materials needed for participation.
In the checkout process you are providing the contact and related information that will be used to create or update the NHBT membership records and to generate the class lists.
The checkout form includes an option to discuss individualized payment options. Answer “yes” if this is an important factor that will make your participation in NHBT possible.
A few classes may only be available for ‘pre-order’ – these appear in a distinct class selection area. If your order contains any pre-order items, you will receive an email acknowledging your pre-order but there is no payment request until the order has been approved.
- If your pre-order is ‘approved’, an email with your pre-order items contains a ‘pay now’ link used to confirm your wish to proceed with your pre-order. This button returns you to the NHBT store to complete checkout where your pre-order has been converted to a regular order.
- You are taken to the specific approved order where you can now select the “pay now” button. You get another email outlining payment available methods.
- If your pre-order is ‘not approved’ e.g. class not running or already full, you will get an ‘not-approved’ email and your pre-order is cancelled.
- You may then pay by the method you select.
Fees for classes reflect the break-even costs of operating NHBT which include a portion for class development and administration.
Our Code of Conduct helps us ensure a welcoming environment for all our band members. It is embedded below for ease of reference. All members are obliged to observe the elements of this code.
Class size registration minimums have to be met for each class to run. Until this minimum is reached, your class registration is not confirmed. Once confirmed, NHBT is relying on class membership to cover the cost of running each class.
There are no refunds for classes once confirmed – except for medical or other serious cause.
You have the option of sharing your email address for the class lists that are in the password-protected members area of the website. Addresses and phone numbers are not shared.
You also have the option of letting us retain your contact information so that we can contact you about events and updates even if you are not currently playing in a band.
With your authorization, NHBT may use photos or videos that include you during rehearsals, events, and performances on the public portion of our website, on the social networking sites we administer, or similar public outreach. Photos and recordings from band events may also be posted inside the secure members area of the website.
- Click membership “buttons” to show membership description
- Add a single membership option to the cart and see the total update
- Click the cart total to view cart or checkout
- Return to this registration page once your membership is completed to select and order classes
Toronto Membership Options
Select the membership type and duration that best meets your needs and complete your order to enable the selection of classes
Concert band and big band classes can also be joined remotely via Zoom live-streaming if you cannot attend one or more classes in person
Annual memberships enable registration for all of Terms 1 and 2
Term 1 memberships enable registration for the first term of our regular band season (Sept – Dec)
Term 2 memberships enable registration for the second term of our regular band season (Jan – May)
Register for free as a Friend of NHBT if you just want to keep in touch
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Login to reveal the class choices that appear once you have a current membership in the relevant term
Until your membership order is paid and marked completed, you won’t see any class buttons appear below
- Click class “buttons” to show class description
- Add to the cart and see the total update
- Click the cart total to view cart or checkout
If a concert band or big band class button below does not say “Add to Cart”, this class has reached in-person capacity or is not currently open for registration
Pre-order : Some classes need to establish minimum interest before we can confirm that the class will run.
We’re able to offer most classes without pre-order based on a history of attendance.
Such classes where we can’t anticipate the level of interest are marked in their own area below as being “pre-order”.
You can ‘pre-order’ these classes to show your intent by selecting to place into the cart as usual and completing the regular order checkout process but note that this is a PRE-ORDER and you will not be asked to confirm or pay until sufficient interest has accumulated.
Submit a separate PRE-ORDER – otherwise the other items in your order will be also be considered part of your pre-order. See the text at the bottom of the checkout page for details. For example, if you want your membership to be contingent on that class running, you can put this into your pre-order.
PRE-ORDER CLASSES:
Registrations must meet minimum class size to be able to offer an effective learning experience and achieve cost recovery.
If your pre-order is not approved, it would be for three possible reasons:
- there are not enough registrants to run the class this term;
- the class has already reached capacity and no further spots are available;
- or, your particular instrument section is full.
If it is a Green Band 1 order that has been declined, we’ll try to offer this class again next term and hope that you will join us then. Otherwise, please consider registering this term for another NHBT class that interests you and that is accepting new members.
Summer Class Pre-Order
Summer class registration is open to all!
Summer Classes are done by registering as a Pre-Order
Please complete registration as usual but note that summer classes are pre-ordered ~ we need to meet a minimum number of pre-orders before being offered.
No payment is requested at the time of a pre-order.
If the class is able to run, you will get an email where you can initiate payment to complete registration of the order.
If a class does not meet the required number of pre-orders, you will get an email that cancels the order.
May 2025 | Monday May 5, 12, 26 Jun 2 | Tuesday May 6, 13, 20, 27 | Wednesday May 7, 14, 21, 28 | Thursday
| Friday
|
10am-12pm | Beginner Ukulele ~ Cathy | Intermediate Jazz Workshop ~ Pat | |||
1-3pm | Djembe ~ Lisa | Pop Choir ~ Cathy Clarinet Technique and Ensemble ~ Nick Arrigo | Rhythm and Blues Ensemble ~ Pat | ||
7-9pm | Introduction to Improvisation (not Jazz) ~ Lisa |
Djembe Drumming
Teacher: Lisa Jones
Monday 1-3 pm
This class is for anyone interested in learning or improving basic musicianship skills such as reading simple note values, listening, focusing, and improving co-ordination. You will explore and experience the elements of music: timbre (tone, bass, slap), tempo and dynamics of music, and learn to experiment with the techniques of call and response, ostinato, call, break, improvisation, and syncopation.
No previous music experience required, nor is there any need to practise outside of class. A Djembe drum will be provided for you, but they cannot leave the building.
Beginner Ukulele
Teacher: Cathy Whiteside
Tuesday: 10am -12pm
This class is for people with little or no prior ukulele experience. We will learn the fundamentals of playing, including tuning, proper hand position, basic chords, strumming patterns and simple song accompaniment.
Ukulele students must have their own Concert Ukulele (a Soprano Ukulele is fine if you already own one) to participate in the class. Long and McQuade sell a variety of Ukuleles starting at $55.00.
Pop Choir
Teacher: Cathy Whiteside
Tuesday: 1-3 pm
This class is for people who like to sing! Through choral singing (both accompanied and a cappella), we will focus on breathing, posture, tone and vocal exercises while learning to sing in harmony with others.
Band for All
Tuesday 7-9 pm
Teacher: Sean King
Thursday 10am-12pm
Teacher: Marianne Spilberg
This class will play the most popular charts played by our bands between 2010 to 2021. It will be sight reading for some members and an opportunity for others to measure how much they have improved since first playing them! To help ensure the band is balanced, registration will be based on a first-come-first-served basis for each instrument section. There will be a variety of musical genres and will be best suited to a skill level of our regular concert band classes and above. This will be a great opportunity to meet, play, and learn from other members!
Clarinet Technique and Ensemble
Tuesday 1-3pm
Teacher: Nick Arrigo
This class has both technical and ensemble elements and is directed at players with intermediate skills and beyond.
Technical aspect for clarinet focus on instrument technique: tuning, tone production, dynamics, articulation and musicality.
The clarinet ensemble entails learning to play music arranged for groups of clarinets (typically quartets or quintets) with parts doubled as necessary for balance and coverage of all the parts.
Intermediate Jazz Workshop
Wednesday 10am-12 pm
Teacher: Patricia Wheeler
This class is a Jazz Improvisation ensemble, for rhythm section players and woodwind and brass soloists with previous experience in the idiom.
Provided music will consist of lead sheets and all participants must be able to interpret chord symbols.
The musical style of the group will be based on the classic small ensembles of the mid-20th century Jazz movement, represented by such artists and recordings as Miles Davis Kind of Blue, Dexter Gordon, Our Man in Paris and Hank Mobley, Soul Train.
Rhythm and Blues Ensemble
Wednesday 1-3 pm
Teacher: Patricia Wheeler
This group will explore the music that has become known as “R&B”, rooted in the gospel music tradition and stretching itself into rock and roll.
Repertoire will include You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes, Stand By Me – Ben E. King, Midnight Hour – Wilson Picket, I Heard it Through the Grapevine – Gladys Knight
Vocalists are welcome, and instrumentation will include drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, woodwind and brass instruments.
A portion of the material will be learned by ear, as this type of music is rarely fully notated.
Introduction to Improvisation for Band Instruments (this is not Jazz)
Teacher: Lisa Jones
Wednesday 7-9 pm
It’s time to take risks, to explore, to experiment, to discover, to create your own music, to generate ideas, to understand music from the inside out, all while building musicianship skills in The Elements of Music- Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Timbre, Form, and Accompaniment (Texture)
Certain parameters and “limits” for improvisation will be given to develop certain musicianship skills or musical concepts and fundamentals.
These “limits” serve as points of departure for students to interpret and explore while learning to adapt to anything happening in the ensemble.
This are some of things you will work on:
Call and response, Produce extreme contrasts in music, Imitation or echo (aural abilities), create/generate your own ideas, Play over a drone no pulse or pulsed, Ostinato-build, hold and change an ostinato figure, Improvise over simple harmonies, Play simple forms ABA, do something then do something different, Play simple forms ABA, do something then do something different, Beginning, middle and endings, Acquire a vocabulary of extended techniques, Work on accompaniment roles
Brass Technique and Ensemble
Friday 10am-12:00pm
Teacher: Bob Gray
Course will include, review and introduce new warm-up routines/ techniques, sight read and work on several brass ensemble pieces, close examination of specific brass techniques as it pertains to the repertoire.
May 2025 Summer Classes
New for 2025-26 ~ you can register for annual or term class duration. If you have an annual membership, you can register for your classes for the whole year (or by term, if you prefer). If you have term membership, you can only select classes for that term.
If you use your credit card to quickly complete your membership order, you can move immediately back to the refreshed registration page to then order and complete registration for your classes.
Toronto Concert Band Classes
concert band class buttons appear below once you are logged in and a current member
class selection covers both in-person and virtual class (remote) registration
Term 2 ~ Feb – May / Pre-Order only
In-Person Class
Following Class(es) available for Pre-Order only
Virtual Class (remote)
Following Class(es) available for Pre-Order only
Toronto Big Band Classes
big band class buttons appear below once you are logged in and a current member
class selection covers both in-person and virtual class (remote) registration
If you were an in-person member of one of Big Bands in the rhythm section, then you can place your order to continue into the next term
If you are a new rhythm section player, please have the permission of the teacher before placing an order (to avoid duplicate section roles)
Toronto Choir Classes
choir class buttons appear below once you are logged in and a current member
Coached Ensembles
ensemble class buttons appear below once you are logged in and a current member
Notice: Day and Time of class is provided in the Schedule and Class description – they are very specific to the class
These classes are limited enrollment and must reach a minimum class of 10 before being confirmed to run. No refund once class is confirmed
Workshops
workshop class buttons appear below once you are logged in and a current member
Class descriptions for these workshops contain important details: day/time, dates, duration. Please read these carefully before registering
Notice: Day and Time of class is provided in the Schedule and Class description
These classes are limited enrollment and must reach a minimum class of 10 before being confirmed to run.
No refund once class is confirmed
Online Musicianship Classes
no online musicianship classes scheduled as yet for 2023-24
Music for Life ~ Online
no music for life conversations scheduled as yet for 2023-24
If you would like to listen to any of these Zoom presentations, you must first register even if there is no cost involved. Select class item to bring up a more detailed description. Add to your cart when ready and follow steps to proceed to checkout. Registration enrols you as a Friend of NHBT (if not already included in the group) so that you can be kept informed via email of other NHBT events of potential interest.
All registrants will receive a Zoom invitation via email prior to the date the event takes place.
Shopping Cart Total
- This number updates every time you add an item to your shopping cart
- Click the number to get a pop-up showing all the items in your shopping cart
- From the pop-up you can go to a detailed view of your shopping cart or proceed to checkout
