Shawn Chabot

Shawn Chabot serves as a Lecturer and Director of the Symphonic Band at Western University's Don Wright Faculty of Music, returning to his alma mater after sixteen years of teaching instrumental and vocal music in the Thames Valley District School Board. A native of Elliot Lake, Ontario, he developed his conducting expertise through a decade-long involvement with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet movement, where he directed concert and marching band programs at national levels.

His academic credentials include three Western University degrees: Bachelor of Music - Honours Music Education (2004), Bachelor of Education (2005), and Master of Music in Literature and Performance (2021) specializing in wind band conducting under Dr. Colleen Richardson's mentorship. This educational foundation supports his dual roles in K-12 education and university-level ensemble direction.

Chabot's professional focus centers on music education and wind band performance, with extensive experience developing concert and marching band programs across community, school, and university settings. His work bridges pedagogical theory with practical ensemble leadership, particularly in instrumental music contexts where he has shaped programs for diverse age groups and skill levels.

His notable recognitions include:

• Canada Millennium Provincial Excellence Award
• Western 125th Anniversary Award for Student Leadership
• Don Wright Scholarship in Instrumental Music
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Currently serving as Department Head of Music at Saunders Secondary School, Chabot also chairs the TVDSB Secondary Music Subject Council and co-chairs the Variety Is... Showcase Concert committee. His leadership extends to community ensembles including the Mocha Temple Shrine Concert Band and Saturday Morning Brass Band, while his past coordination of Western's New Horizons Band Program demonstrates institutional commitment to lifelong musical engagement.

As an active performer, he has contributed as trumpet player with Encore: The Concert Band and vocalist with ensembles including the Gerald Fagan Singers and Bach Festival Chamber Choir, maintaining a practitioner's perspective in his educational roles.