Band Program
Term 2, Week 2
Dear BPS Community,
All bands and Ensembles were off to a great start in Term One and are looking forward to a busy performance schedule in Term Two. Students have been practicing with great enthusiasm and are keen to share their beautiful music with the BPS community in the coming weeks.
Upcoming Performances
Please write these dates into your diaries.
Week 4 (15-19 May)
BPS Band Program Open Rehearsal Week
Parents and friends are invited to watch all our Bands and Ensembles rehearse at their normal timeslots - 7:50 – 8:50am
Wed 17 May - Training Band in the Gym
Thu 18 May - Symphonic Band in the Gym
- Advanced Guitar Ensemble in the Music Room
Fri 19 May - Concert Band in the Gym
- Beginner Guitar Ensemble in the Music Room
Week 5 (Thursday 25 May)
2024 Foundation Information Session & BPS Open Night
- Symphonic Band performing at 2024 Prep Info Session - 4.30-5.30pm
- Advanced Guitar Ensemble performing at Open Night - 5.30 - 7.00pm
- Various BPS music students ‘busking’ in the library – 7.00-7:30
Week 7 (Evening of Wednesday 7 June)
Mid-Year Soiree
All Bands, Guitar Ensembles and the BPS Choir will be performing.
ALL BPS families are invited to come along and support as many of our performances as possible.
You may have a child currently in Grade 2 who is interested in joining the Band Program next year. We'd love to see you at our performances!
Band/Ensemble Rehearsals
With regards to rehearsal frequency, please note that rehearsals are held every week of term. The only reason rehearsals may be cancelled, is if the teacher is sick/absent and no replacement teacher is available or there is an unforeseen school event that directly clashes with rehearsals.
2023 Rehearsal schedule for all Bands and Ensembles:
- Advanced Guitar Ensemble – Thursdays (Music Classroom) with Alwaynne Strentz
- Symphonic Band – Thursdays (Gym) with Ken Macdonald
- Concert Band – Fridays (Gym) with Ken Macdonald
- Beginner Guitar Ensemble – Fridays (Music Classroom) with Jake Underwood
- Training Band – Wednesdays (Gym) with Alwaynne Strentz
All Band & Ensemble rehearsals begin at 7.50am
BPS Instrumental Music Staff 2023
- Alwaynne Strentz - Band Coordinator, Acoustic and Bass Guitar teacher, Training Band Director, Advanced Guitar Ensemble Director
- Ken Macdonald - Trumpet and Trombone teacher, Concert and Symphonic Band Director
- Jake Underwood - Acoustic Guitar teacher, Beginner Guitar Ensemble Director
- Laura Harris - Percussion teacher
- Adrienne Garneau - Clarinet and Saxophone teacher
- Jirene Beh – Flute teacher
- And introducing Catherine Bates as our new Clarinet and Saxophone teacher from Term 2, 2023.
Yours musically,
Alwaynne Strentz
Band Co-ordinator, Acoustic & Bass Guitar teacher, Training Band Director, Advanced Guitar Ensemble Director (W & Th)