Band & Choir

We have had a very successful Term 2. Students have continued to improve and are really starting to enjoy their lessons and Band/Ensemble rehearsals. This was very evident in their hard work which showed in our recent Mid-Year Soirée. What a great night of music! All students equipped themselves well and the night was a huge success. Bands and Ensembles have also performed in assemblies and our Open Night. 

We must not forget our hard-working Instrumental Music Teachers; the students have accomplished some remarkable results so far this year. Thank You! As always if you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us, 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. 

Timetables

An important reminder that all student’s need to get into the habit of reading their timetables and attending their lessons a few minutes earlier than their scheduled time. Much time can be lost collecting students from class and the school yard. Timetables are also posted on the Music noticeboard where lessons are held, they should have their own copy, and they can always ask their teacher what time their lesson is. 

If students have a 9.00am lesson, they MUST go to class first and have their attendance recorded, then go to their lessons.

Looking forward to Term 3, we will still have Bands and Ensembles perform at assembly, also at the VSMF and at other events (see below).

AMEB Examinations

If you wish to enter your child for an AMEB (Australian Music Examination Board) exam, please contact their instrumental teacher first.

AMEB Entry Fees

Grade 1: $114               Grade 2: $121           Grade 3: $135             Grade 4: $143

You will also require a piano accompanist. I have asked Aiden (piano teacher at BPS) and he is able and willing to assist. Fees to be arranged with him.

The cut-off date for entries is 31 July, and the exams will be held at the AMEB Music Centre in Hawthorn from 6 October - 16 November. 

Performances

This Week's Assembly - Choir Performance 

Friday 27 June

The Choir will be perform at assembly this Friday 27 June. It will be closer to the end of assembly as we won't begin until our Grade 6 choristers return from swimming. 

We'd love to see you at our performance!

Open Night Performances

22 May, 2025

Symphonic Band Performance 

22 May, 2025

Open Night was a very musical evening! Thank you to all members of the Symphonic Band who performed for the 2026 Foundation Parents. 

Training Band - Assembly Performance

23 May, 2025

CONGRATULATIONS on the first-ever performance from our Training Band! Band Director, Adrienne Garneau is so proud of your efforts! What a wonderful performance - well done!

Music Captains  

What a busy term it has been for our Music Captains, Amy and Olivia! 

Movement Mondays, Choir and Band Performances, Mid-Year Soiree, Social Media Posts, setting up the sound system for assembly.....

Amy and Olivia, a HUGE thank you for your enthusiasm and assistance this term!

Mid-Year Soiree

12 June, 2025

Mid-Year Soiree Raffle

Thank You!

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and thanks to our generous donors for supporting our amazing BPS Music Program.  What an exciting raffle and auction!!  

Thank you, BPS community, for your efforts!  We hope you enjoyed this fabulous celebration of music from our 2025 Band, Ensemble and Choir students.

The Friends of the Band would like to thank: 

• On the Map PR
• Digimaker
• Fine Music
• Music Junction
• Nate Hill Photography
• Jefferies Providore Blackburn
• Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
• Heng Design
• Their Care
• Nick McGowan MP

It really is a team effort to successfully organise an event such as the Soiree. 

Mrs Shacklock would like to acknowledge and thank the following spectacular people for their amazing assistance - I appreciate you!

• Kate Heng and the Friends of the Band
• Ken MacDonald, Adrienne Garneau, Alwaynne Strentz, Jake Underwood, Jirene Beh, Flora Carbo and Justin Zheng
• Andrew Cock, Marianne Fusillo, Skye Thornton, Deb McGowan, Reiha Ternes
• The Specialist Team - Liz Dixon, Merissa Pickford, Tanya Stansfield, Yi Zhang
• Simone Wood, Angelo Merlino, Amanda Chetcuti, Daniel Liebrich

Upcoming Music Events

Victorian Schools Music Festival (VSMF)

Our Symphonic Band are in the process of rehearsing for their performance at the Victorian Schools Music Festival (VSMF) in early September.

Evening of Music - Thursday 13 November

All Bands, Guitar Ensembles and Choir are starting to rehearse for our End of Year Concert in November. This should be a spectacular evening of music. Please put it in your diary Thursday 13 November.

There will be assembly  performances and other events where our students will perform. Please consult the Compass calendar for any upcoming performances. Students will also be notified in their Showbie Music folders.

Band and Guitar Ensemble Reminders

Please remember that ALL rehearsals BEGIN at 7.50am.

Arrival time should be no later than 7.45am to help set up and warm up instruments.

• 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

Instrumental 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

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  (Wed, Thurs, Fri)

Lisa Shacklock - Band Liaison (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri)