Band & Instrumental News
Blackburn Primary School
Term 4 - Upcoming Music Performances
Term 4 is a very busy and exciting time for our BPS musicians! The Compass calendar is kept updated with performance dates. Please keep an eye out for Compass notices regarding the upcoming performances below and respond accordingly. Your assistance at this busy time of year is very much appreciated!
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.
BPS Music Performances - Weeks 1-7
Fri 6 Nov - Choir and Concert Band - Assembly Performance
Mon 9 Nov - Percussion Ensemble - Lunchtime Performance for students
Tues 10 Nov - Concert Band Performance at VSMF, Hawthorn
Thurs 12 Nov - Evening of Music at One Church - tickets available via CompassTix now
Fri 13 Nov - Symphonic Band - Assembly Performance
Thurs 19 Nov - Band Recruitment Night, Multi-Purpose Room
Concert Band - VSMF Performance
Tuesday 10th November
The Concert Band will be playing at the Victorian Schools Music Festival at Hawthorn Town Hall. Parents are welcome to attend. Please see Compass notice for more information.
2026 Evening of Music
Tickets on sale now!
We invite you all to Blackburn Primary School's 2026 Evening of Music!
This will be held at One Church on Thursday 12th November 2026 at 6.30pm.
Join us for a wonderful celebration of music from the BPS Training, Concert and Symphonic Bands, Guitar and Percussion Ensembles and School Choir.
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!
Tickets are on sale now:
https://compasstix.com/event/4ea38816-521f-4684-817e-4e7f7392b628
Please note - student performers do not require tickets.
Children aged 4 and under are no charge, but a ticket must be selected where a separate seat is required.
All tickets $10 per person over 4 years of age.
Pre-Loved Music Instruments Wanted!
Do you or someone you know have an unused instrument that you would like to move on?
You may like to consider selling it to an aspiring new member of the 2027 BPS Band Program, or even donating it to the school so we could offer it to a student who may otherwise find the cost of an instrument and lessons a barrier to joining the program.
Why not ask your local music store to check the condition and playability of your instrument and give an appraisal of its approximate value?
If you are interested in selling or donating your instrument at the end of the year, please contact Kate Heng at bps.friendsoftheband@gmail.com There will be new students requiring second-hand instruments following our Band Recruitment Night on Thursday 19th November. Kate is happy to be a point of contact between sellers and buyers; however she will not be participating in price negotiations.
We look forward to helping you move on your instrument to another BPS student!
Band Recruitment Night
Thursday 19th November - MP room (5.30pm-7.30pm)
Students currently in Grades 2 to 5 who are interested in being part of the 2027 Band Program are invited to attend our Band Recruitment Night on Thursday 19th 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!
We look forward to seeing you there!
BPS Instrumental Music Staff 2026
Ken MacDonald - Band Coordinator, Trumpet and Trombone teacher. Concert Band (CB) and Symphonic Band Director (SB)
Alwaynne Strentz - Acoustic & Bass Guitar teacher, Guitar Ensemble Director (GE)
Jake Underwood - Acoustic Guitar teacher, Novice Guitar Ensemble Director (NGE)
Jirene Beh - Flute teacher
Isobel Frankish - Clarinet and Saxophone teacher
Adrienne Garneau - Clarinet and Saxophone teacher, Training Band Director (TB)
Rod Mcleod - Percussion teacher, Percussion Ensemble Director (PE)
Yours musically,
Ken Mac - Band Coordinator (Wed, Thurs, Fri)
Lisa Shacklock - Band Liaison (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri)