Music & Choir

Welcome to a new year of music-making at BPS! 

I hope you all had a wonderful break with your families – although holidays may seem like a distant memory already!  I spent the summer break travelling and am so grateful to have had that time to really unwind. It was fabulous spending time with family and friends in the South Island of New Zealand, then back to Victoria - Jamieson, Warburton and Ballarat. Our world is filled with so many beautiful places!

For those who don’t know me, my name is Lisa Shacklock. I am fortunate to be the Co-ordinator of the Classroom Music Program, the School Choir & Band Liaison. I love teaching our students and have so many amazing things for them to learn this year! I am looking forward to helping all our students develop into finer musicians and performers in 2026 – but most importantly, to gain an appreciation of many different music genres.

You will find me in the Music Room (next to the Gym) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Alternately, if you have any queries about the Music Program, please contact me via Compass at lisa.shacklock@education. vic.gov.au

Please read below for: 

• School Choir
• Introducing the 2026 Music Captains
• Music Appreciation

School Choir

Involvement in School Choir is a non-cost activity.  

Students in Grades 4-6 are invited to come along and see what we do in our Choir rehearsals. 

Our first Choir trial is in Week 4 - Monday 19th February at 12.50pm -1.30pm, giving time for all children to play outside from 1.30pm.

It is important for students to attend each trial below to gain a true understanding of what we do in our rehearsals. 

Choir Trial Dates (also published on the Compass calendar)

What happens after the trial sessions? 

Students will need to decide whether they would like to continue being involved in Choir by Monday 31 March (week 10). This rehearsal will involve all students who plan to continue as our BPS Choristers!

There is no obligation to continue with choir after the trial period but if your child would like to continue participating in the School Choir for the remainder of 2026, they (and you!) will be required to sign the Choir Commitment Form. Continuing students will have access to all vocal and backing tracks, song lyrics and sheet music which I’ll set up in the 2026 Choir Folder in Showbie. Students will receive access to the Showbie folder once their Commitment Form has been returned. 

If students do not wish to continue Choir after the trial sessions – at least they gave it a go! They may like to try it again next year – or not!

Why choose Choir?

The rewards of being in a Choir are plentiful - developing vocal skills and musical awareness, learning new genres to sing, enjoying the activity of performing, gaining confidence, responsibility and meeting new people. Students will be encouraged to suggest songs and choreography for our performances.

I belong to a Barbershop Chorus. I am enjoying the challenge of learning how to sing the close harmonies of our songs and the sound we all make together is magical. I wish for everyone to be able to experience this joy that music brings!

Performances 

The Choir will perform at: 

• Open Night for Education Week (May) 
• Mid-Year Soiree (June)
• BPS Evening of Music (November) 

• and other opportunities that may arise! 

   

Please note it is the parents’ responsibility to transport their child to and from performances held after school hours. 

Introducing the 2026 Band & Music Captains!

Naqiya and Krishiv are our Grade 6 Music and Band Captains for 2026.

Here they are outside the Music Room. I am looking forward to working with them both this year!

Music Appreciation 

How do we make informed choices about the music we like to listen to, perform or create if we are not exposed to a diverse range of music?

Each week a different musical genre (or theme) is played over the loudspeaker at bell times so that students become familiar with a variety of genres and artists. All songs chosen are child-appropriate. We will be singing and further exploring the music heard during our classroom music lessons.

The musical genres showcased in Term 1 will be displayed and discussed in classrooom music lessons.

If there are any songs or genres you would like to recommend, I would love to hear your suggestions! I can be contacted at lisa.shacklock@education. vic.gov.au

Yours in harmony,

Lisa Shacklock             

Classroom Music, Choir Co-ordinator & Band Liaison (M, Tu, Th, F)

 "Do something worth remembering" - Elvis Presley