Band & Choir
Term 4 - Upcoming Music Events
Term 4 is a very busy and exciting time for our BPS musicians! The Compass calendar is kept updated with performance dates. There will be notices coming out soon for all events below so please keep an eye out for that information.
As always, if you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us (Ken and Lisa). All teachers contact details are listed below. A big THANK YOU to all parents; without your full support and encouragement our jobs would be much harder and not as enjoyable and rewarding.
Students in Grades 1-5 will be kept updated with upcoming events in their Music Showbie folders.
BPS Music Events - Weeks 1-7
Symphonic Band - ‘Play-In Day’ at Blackburn High School
Thursday 30th October - 9.30am - 1.30pm
Tomorrow our Symphonic Band will join students from Blackburn High School and Healesville High School to share a fun day of learning and making music together. Thank you to Alwaynne Strentz, Emily Tainsh and Kate Heng for their support and attendance tomorrow. We look forward to hearing and seeing our students perform and will pass any footage taken to parents of Symphonic Band members once we receive it.
Concert Band - VSMF Performance
Tuesday 11 November
The Concert Band will be playing at the Victorian Schools Music Festival at Hawthorn Town Hall. The event time is 10.15am - 12.30pm. Parents are welcome to attend. Please see Compass notice for more information.
Evening of Music - Thursday 13th November
All Ensembles and Choir have have been in preparation for our big event - the Evening of Music and groups are starting to sound great. We are in for an incredible night of music-making and entertainment. This event will be held at One Church (opposite BPS) on Thursday 13th November. You do not want to miss the highlight of the BPS musical calendar, so please keep the date free!
Students currently in Grades 2 to 5 who may be keen to join the 2026 Band Program may also like to attend this concert - so please note the date in your diaries!
Band Recruitment Night
Thursday 20th November - MP room (5.30pm-7.30pm)
Students currently in Grades 2 to 5 who are interested in being part of the 2026 Band Program are invited to attend our Band Recruitment Night on Thursday 20th November in the Multi-Purpose Room. Hear from our Symphonic Band and Guitar Ensemble. Find out about our Band Program from Band Co-ordinator, Mr Mac, and meet the instrumental teachers. Students can try out the instruments too!
Pre-Loved Music Instruments
If you think you may be interested in selling your instrument at the end of the year, please contact Kate Heng on bps.friendsoftheband@gmail.com There will be new students requiring second-hand instruments following the Band Recruitment Night. Kate is happy to be a point of contact between sellers and buyers, however she will not be participating in price negotiations.
BPS Instrumental Music Staff 2025
- 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
- Justin Zheng - Percussion teacher
Yours musically,
Ken Mac - Band Coordinator(Wed, Thurs, Fri)
Lisa Shacklock - Band Liaison (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri)