Discover Our Conductors

Mr. Daryl McKinnon provides artistic leadership for all aspects of the Moose Jaw Community Bands Inc. and leads the Concert Band as our Conductor. 

Mr. McKinnon taught guitar, Vocal Jazz, Chamber Choir, Choral music, yearly musicals, Concert Band, Jazz Band and small ensemble band 1982-2016. Although retired from teaching Mr. McKinnon has continued his involvement in Music as an adjudicator and as a conductor of the Moose Jaw Community band. He holds a B. Mus. Ed. from the University of Regina, a Diploma of Fine Arts (wind ensemble repertoire) from the University of Calgary, and he has also taken after-degree courses in conducting from the University of Alberta. Mr. McKinnon has participated in many professional development opportunities, including several years at the Canadian Rocky Mountain Music Festival at Banff in the teacher development program. Mr. McKinnon has served on several boards in the arts, including SMEA, SBA, SMFA, SCF, and the Moose Jaw Kinsmen International Band and Choral Festival. Most recently, he has served on the Regina Philharmonic Chorus board as President , now a Past President. 

Ms. Collins Fries leads the Moose Jaw Community Band's Beginner Band as our Conductor.

Janie Collins Fries is a horn player who taught music in schools for 34 years, teaching all grades and areas of school music. Depending on the decade, she taught band, Gr 6-12, high school choir, and elementary music. She spent two years seconded to the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina, teaching music education courses and afterwards continued to be a sessional lecturer for 15 years. Her bachelor's degree was earned at Dickinson State University in Dickinson, North Dakota, and she received her Master’s of Music degree at Brandon University.

Her volunteer hours are given to a number of band-focused organizations, including the Moose Jaw Music Festival and the Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival. She thoroughly enjoys being a part of the Moose Jaw Adult Beginner Band, sharing the challenge and the joy of instrumental music.

Janie and her husband, Norbert, have 3 children and 9 grandchildren, who keep their lives active, loving, and fun.