Upcoming Performances, Choir & Band

Please read below for: 

• Chinese Day Performances
• School Choir
• The Sound of Music
• BPS Band

Chinese Day Performances - Tuesday 31st March

Many of our students have been working on musical items during classroom music lessons to present at the Chinese Day Assembly on Tuesday 31st March. The assembly starts at 9.10am and will finish at approximately 10.10am. We look forward to seeing many parents and celebrating Chinese Day together!

Performers include:

• The Chinese Dancing Group
• 1C, 1N, 1R

• Grades 3 and 4

   

3/4T, 4A, 4S - Basketballs Required next Mon 23 March!

It may be an odd request from a music teacher, but could all students in 3/4T, 4A and 4S please bring CLEARLY NAMED basketball to school next Monday 23rd March? We will be rehearsing for our Chinese Day performance, and we don't have enough basketballs for the entire year level.

School Choir

Involvement in School Choir is a non-cost activity.  

Students in Grades 4-6 are invited to come along and see what we do in our Choir rehearsals. 

Choir Trial Dates

There will be NO Choir rehearsal next Monday 24th March due to the Grade 3/4 Planning Day.

The final Choir trial will be on Monday 30th March (week 10) at 12.50pm in the Music Room. We will be continuing working on the song 'Friend Like Me' from the musical 'Aladdin'.

Students will need to decide whether they would like to continue being involved in Choir by Monday 31 March (week 10). This rehearsal will involve all students who plan to continue as our BPS Choristers!

If students do not wish to continue Choir after the trial sessions – at least they gave it a go! They may like to try it again next year – or not!

Why choose Choir?

The rewards of being in a Choir are plentiful - developing vocal skills and musical awareness, learning new genres to sing, enjoying the activity of performing, gaining confidence, responsibility and meeting new people. Students will be encouraged to suggest songs and choreography for our performances.

I have recently joined a Choir which sings in the barbershop style (something I had planned on doing when I retire - but decided now was as good a time as any to start!) I am enjoying the challenge of learning how to sing the close harmonies of our songs and the sound we all make together is magical. I wish for everyone to be able to experience this joy that music brings!

Choir Performances 

The Choir will perform at: 

• Open Night for Education Week (May) 
• Mid-Year Soiree (June)
• BPS Evening of Music (November) 
• and other opportunities that may arise! 

What's On in Whitehorse?

The Sound of Music - begins next week!

Over the years all BPS students have heard and sung the songs from the movie musical ‘The Sound of Music’ as I use solfege (do, re, mi etc) in my teaching. ‘The Sound of Music’ is one of those movies that I encourage all families to watch at least once! (There’s a reason it is still such a hit after 50 years!)

We are thrilled to announce that Scout (one of our Grade 3 students) will be playing the role of Marta Von Trapp in the NOVA Musical Theatre season of ‘The Sound of Music’ at the beautiful venue The Round Theatre, 379-399 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading (located behind the Nunawading Library). 

If you would like to experience live theatre in our community, the dates are below. Scout's performance dates are highlighted and underlined.

Friday 20 March - 7.30pm 

Saturday 21 March - 1.30pm 

Sat 21 March - 7.30pm

Sun 22 March - 1.30pm

Fri 27 March - 7.30pm

Sat 28 March 1.30pm                                      

Sat 28 March 7.30pm                                                  

Sun 29 March 1.30pm

Adults $57

Concession $54

Groups (of 10 or more) $52

Children 14 and under $47

All tickets are available from https://www.theround.com.au/soundofmusic

https://www.novamusictheatre.com.au

Naturally I will be attending with a few of the BPS staff – we are looking forward to it!

Tickets are selling well, so get in quickly!

BPS Band Program

Training Band – Wednesdays (Gym) with Adrienne Garneau

Guitar Ensemble – Wednesdays (Music Classroom) with Alwaynne Strentz

Symphonic Band – Thursdays (Gym) with Ken MacDonald

Concert Band – Fridays (Gym) with Ken MacDonald

Novice Guitar Ensemble - Fridays (Music Classroom) with Jake Underwood

Please note that all Band & Ensemble rehearsals begin at 7.50am.

Vacancies

For anyone who would still like to participate in our Band Program, we have a few available vacancies.

If your child is interested in learning any instrument, please contact me for more information at kenneth.macdonald@education.vic.gov.au or any staff member.

Upcoming events/ assemblies and performances for TERM 2

Assemblies (dates to be confirmed)

Symphonic Band

Concert Band

Training Band 

Guitar Ensemble

Novice Guitar Ensemble

Mid-Year Soiree

Open Rehearsal Week

BPS Instrumental Music Staff 2026

• Ken MacDonald - Band Co-ordinator, Trumpet and Trombone teacher, Concert Band and Symphonic Band Director
• Adrienne Garneau – Clarinet and Saxophone teacher, Training Band Director
• Alwaynne Strentz – Acoustic, Bass Guitar teacher, Guitar Ensemble Director
• Jake Underwood - Acoustic Guitar teacher, Novice Guitar Ensemble Director
• Jirene Beh - Flute teacher 
• Flora Carbo - Clarinet and Saxophone teacher
• Roderick McLeod – Percussion teacher

Until next time, yours in harmony,

Lisa Shacklock             

Classroom Music, Choir Co-ordinator & Band Liaison (M, Tu, Th, F)

                             Ken Mac - Band Co-ordinator(Wed, Thurs, Fri)

                                        "Do something worth remembering" - Elvis Presley