Band & Instrumental News

A reminder that ALL rehearsals BEGIN at 8.00am.

Arrival time should be no later than 7.50am to help set up, 

warm instruments and be ready to start at 8.00am.

Wednesday - Training Band in Gym & Guitar Ensemble in Music Room

Thursday      - Symphonic Band in Gym

Friday            - Concert Band in Gym & Novice Guitar Ensemble in Music Room

Term 3 started very positively. Student learning and Ensemble playing has continued to excel and the Bands and Ensembles have progressed well and are now ready to perform at assemblies and are preparing for the End of Year Concert at the Evening of Music.

Just to refresh: 

You may have noticed that we have changed the names of our Guitar Ensembles to:

• Guitar Ensemble (GE) - previously Advanced Guitar Ensemble
• Novice Guitar Ensemble (NGE) - previously Beginner Guitar Ensemble
• The Concert Band names are staying the same.

The Victorian Schools Music Festival

Our Symphonic Band performed at an assembly and The Victorian Schools Music Festival (VSMF) early in September, they played commendably and were given outstanding comments from the assessors. You can all feel very proud and delighted that all students not only played to their best but were excellent ambassadors for the school. Organisers were very pleased with how our students behaved and conducted themselves. Over the 2-week program 150 Concert bands performed, the majority of these were High Schools. 

Term 4 - Upcoming Events

Assembly - performances for all Bands and Ensembles

Music Workshop - Symphonic Band at Blackburn High School - Tuesday 15 October 

• Collaboration Day with Blackburn High School and Healesville High School Orchestras (more details later this week)

VSMF - Concert Band - Tuesday 12 November - Hawthorn Arts Centre, Burwood Rd, Hawthorn

Evening of Music - All Bands, Ensembles and Choir - Wednesday 13 November (One Church - opposite BPS)

Band Recruitment Night - Symphonic Band & Guitar Ensemble to perform - Wednesday 20 November (Multi-Purpose Room)

•  All current students in Grades 2 to 5 who are interested in being part of our 2025 Band Program are invited to attend this information night. Hear how the Band Program works and try out the instruments!

Please consult Compass for all upcoming performances and events.

We hope to see you all at as many performances as possible to listen and encourage our fabulous music students. 

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.

BPS Instrumental Music Staff 2024

• Ken Macdonald - Band Coordinator, Trumpet and Trombone teacher, Training Band, Concert Band and Symphonic 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
• Adrienne Garneau - Clarinet and Saxophone teacher
• Justin Zheng - Percussion teacher 

Yours musically,

Ken Mac (Wed, Thurs, Fri) 

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