Band

A word from the BPS Band Coordinator - Ken MacDonald

Welcome to 2024 - the year of the BPS Band Program!

There are over 100 Grades 3-6 students in the Band program this year, making it the biggest BPS Band program ever! Our program is the envy of many Primary and Secondary schools Victoria wide. Our Instrumental teaching staff would be worthy of teaching in the finest schools anywhere in Australia. We are so lucky to have such a skilled and experienced team. The support from our Principal team and admin staff is second to none. The confidence and support from the school community is the heart and soul of the success of the program. The music students at BPS are some of the most capable and advanced Primary School music students anywhere in Australia. Thank you to all of you for contributing to Victoria’s original and best Primary School Band Program! 

Let the 2024 musical journey begin……..      

Commencement of Instrumental Lessons

Music lessons are underway for 2024. We have seven instrumental teachers delivering lessons over the week. There are dozens of excited new music students starting what I hope will be a lifelong love of music. Our continuing music students are looking to take their playing to new heights. Our musical teaching spaces have never seen so much activity. What a beautiful, vibrant creative space!   

Music lessons are held in the instrumental teaching rooms on the Whitehorse Road side of the old schoolhouse or in the Multi-Purpose Room. Your Instrumental teacher will let you know where your child’s lessons are held. Please make sure your child attends with their instrument (sticks for Percussionists), method books and ensemble music.

Percussion students do not need to bring their percussion kits and Bass Guitar students do not need to bring their amplifiers to school (but please bring your lead). Students can store their instruments in the old schoolhouse instrumental storage area at the beginning of the day, and collect them immediately after the final bell.

It's important that students get into the habit of reading their timetables and attending their lessons a few minutes earlier than their scheduled time. Much time can be lost collecting students from class and the school yard.

Band Rehearsals & Commencement Dates

Please check the schedule below for the exact starting dates and times for all the groups:

• Training Band – Wednesdays (Gym) with Ken MacDonald (beginning Wed 6 March)
• Advanced Guitar Ensemble – Wednesdays (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 (beginning Fri 8 March)

Please note that all Band & Ensemble rehearsals begin at 7.50am.

Training Band Vacancies

For anyone who would still like to be part of our Band Program, we have the following vacancies available:

• Trombone, Trumpet, Clarinet, Bass Guitar

If your child is interested in learning any of these instruments, please contact me for more information at kenneth.macdonald@education.vic.gov.au

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, Advanced Guitar Ensemble Director
• Jake Underwood - Acoustic Guitar teacher, Beginner 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)