Long & McQuade Learning Series - Richmond Hill, ON

Wednesday, March 11 | 6:00pm

PA System Basics
With Darin Esnard

Join us for this entry-level PA clinic covering basic setup, gain staging, EQ, and mixing. Darin will also discuss speaking and music events and the differences between running a PA for either application.

This 1-hour interactive clinic is designed to demystify the art of live sound reinforcement. Whether working with a portable rental system or a permanent venue installation, attendees will learn the essential physics and workflows required to achieve a clear, professional mix.

Darin Esnard has spent three decades mastering the art of sound and visual presentation. A specialist in everything from Live Pro Audio and Recording to Digital Signage and Corporate Video, he brings a wealth of practical knowledge to every session, having worked with major brands like Long & McQuade, Yorkville, Roland, Synnex and Vistek. Darin knows the gear inside and out. But as a lifelong musician and DJ, he also understands the pressure of the stage. His approach is simple: demystify the technology so you can focus on the performance.

 

Sunday, March 22 | 1:00pm

“The Four Pillars” Workshop and Altus Flutes Showcase
With Paul Edmund-Davies

Open to students of all levels - please bring your flute!

Internationally renowned flutist and soloist Paul Edmund-Davies has been the Principle Flute of the London Symphony & Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as performing on numerous film soundtracks, including Star Wars, Harry Potter, Wonder Woman, Godzilla & Wicked. He has written four highly regarded practice books on flute technique and is a professor of flute at the Royal Academy of Music.

 

Saturday, March 28 | 3:30pm

Behind the Band Score: A Conversation
With Dan Austin & Ryan Meeboer

Spend the afternoon with two of Canada’s rising concert band arrangers as they share perspectives on their featured works and walk through the creative process, scoring techniques, and analytical approaches behind Junior and Intermediate-level compositions. Students and directors welcome!

Dan Austin is an award‑winning Canadian music educator and performer with 25 years of experience. He leads GCVI’s band and orchestra program, publishes accessible music for young ensembles, and remains active as a vocalist, instrumentalist, and jazz bassist.

Ryan Meeboer is a Canadian music educator, composer, and arranger with more than 300 published works for concert band, jazz band, and small ensembles. He teaches at Viola Desmond Public School in Milton, while continuing his active career as a composer, arranger, and versatile performer across a wide range of ensembles.
 

*****
RSVP and inquiries: [email protected]

Wednesday, April 1 | 6:30pm

Mixing Seminar
With Richard Chycki

The RUSH “50 Something” tour hits stages across Canada in 2026. Richard Chycki, their legendary audio engineer, brings his mix secrets, toolbox and stories to four Toronto area Long & McQuade stores. Rich will dissect a classic Rush song, discuss the plugins and mix process and rebuild it using modern techniques and best practices. Having remixed much of their material in Atmos, Rich will discuss what this has meant for their catalogue and how it is listened to today.

Richard Chycki is a multi-platinum mixer and engineer whose clients include such rock royalty as Rush, Aerosmith, Dream Theater, Skillet, Mick Jagger, Alice Cooper, Pink and many more.

Known for his pioneering mix work in multichannel audio, prog icons Rush entrusted Chycki to remix the multi-million selling 2112, their career pinnacle Moving Pictures, as well as A Farewell To Kings, Hemispheres, Signals, Snakes & Arrows and Fly By Night, as well as mixing Moving Pictures in Dolby Atmos plus releases for Evanescence and Alice In Chains. While rock acts Dream Theater, Skillet, Simple Plan and Our Lady Peace had also tapped his surround mix talents, other genres have caught word, most notably for DVD releases with Tyrese, Shaggy and Sean Paul.

*****
RSVP and inquiries: [email protected]