Band

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THERE ARE LIMITED VACANCIES FOR ANY STUDENTS WISHING TO LEARN THEIR PREFERRED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN (even Parents!) 

Please contact Ken MacDonald or Lisa Shacklock if interested.

Term 1 started very positively, all Instrumental Music Teachers have commented on the dedication and commitment of all our new and continuing music students. The Bands and Ensembles have progressed well and are now nearly ready to perform at events.

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.

Term 2 - Upcoming Events

BPS Open Night - Wednesday 15 May

The Symphonic Band will perform at 4.30pm in the Multi-Purpose Room. Please note this date in your diaries.

The Choir and Chinese Dancers will also be performing at Open Night (5.30pm in the Gym).

Further information regarding all performances will be distributed via Compass soon.

Open Rehearsals for all Ensembles   

Parents, Grandparents, Friends, and anyone else are most welcome to attend and see the LIVE rehearsals of all our Concert Bands and Guitar Ensembles.

Wednesday 15 May - Training Band - 7.50am in Gym

                                         - Guitar Ensemble -  7.50am in Music Room

Thursday 16 May  - Symphonic Band - 7.50am in Gym

Friday 17 May - Concert Band - 7.50am in Gym

                              - Novice Guitar Ensemble -  7.50am in Music Room

There will be assembly performances and other events where our students will perform. Please consult Compass for any upcoming performances.

Mid-Year Soiree - Wednesday 5 June

Our Mid-Year Soiree will be held in the gym on Wednesday 5th June. All Bands and Ensembles will perform. We hope to see you all at as many performances as possible to listen and encourage our fabulous music students.

AMEB Examinations

If you wish to enter your child in the external AMEB examinations (Australian Music Examination Board) please contact your child’s Instrumental Music teacher. High Schools use this achievement when placing students into various ensembles.

Special Assembly Performance from Blackburn High School's 'Thursday Big Band'

This is a special report from Ava - one of the BPS Music Captains:

"BPS was very happy on Friday 19th April to hear from Blackburn High School's 'Thursday Jazz Band' (one of three of the school's jazz bands).  All the students were very quiet while the band played, taking inspiration from their music.

In the song 'Watermelon Man', our students sang along with the band listening to the right beat and rhythms! We had a great time!

Thank you Mrs Shacklock for organising this performance for us."

Ava - Music Captain

I am sure all present at the recent ANZAC assembly will join in with me and congratulate Amy C for her magnificent performance of The Last Post and Reveille. It takes great courage to stand and perform alone in front of 500+ people and play like she did.

A FABULOUS EFFORT. WELL DONE AMY!

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)