Band

Joining the Band

The Band is provided by the P&C and is run by a sub-committee of parent volunteers. The P&C employs a part time Musical Director for the Bands but we still rely on volunteers to help with various aspects of rehearsals and performances, and to participate in managing the service through the Committee functions.

Junior Band – This is the entry-level band and is open to any Year 3-6 student wishing to learn a concert band instrument. No previous musical knowledge is necessary. It allows students to become confident with their new instruments in an environment that is both supportive and fun.
Intermediate Band – Students’ generally progress to the Intermediate Band after a year, when they have reached a standard that is well beyond a beginners’ level. Students are challenged with a broad repertoire of more difficult concert pieces.
Concert Band – Intermediate Band progresses to Concert Band (Year 5 & 6). Concert Band members will play more challenging and complex pieces.

Students are invited to join the band in Year 3 and 4, or even beyond. During Term 4, the bands will perform a concert for years 2 and 3 and the instruments will be demonstrated. Your child will then have the opportunity to hear the instruments being played and make a first, second and third choice of instrument. The band directors will allocate an instrument to students based on their preferences, their physical ability and balancing the overall needs of the band’s composition.

Students may select to play one of the following instruments: flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone, euphonium, French horn, oboe, trumpet, trombone, bass guitar, keyboard players or percussion.

WHY JOIN – THE BENEFITS

There are many proven benefits to a student’s personal development in playing in a band other than learning to play an instrument. Not only can it help develop cooperation, responsibility, commitment and team spirit, it can also lead to increased maturity, self-discipline, concentration, focus and improved listening skills. Importantly, it can also increase self-confidence and self-esteem and help develop positive peer relationships with other band members.

Phillip Keyzer | BHPS Band Director

Hi there, my name is Phil Keyzer and I’ve been teaching music on the Northern Beaches for just shy of a decade now. I began tutoring the saxophone in my senior years of highschool and after completing my degree at USYD I continued to follow my passion for music education – I currently conduct at multiple primary and high schools across Sydney.

I’m really excited to be back with the band program at Beacon Hill for 2021.

My belief is that every child should have the opportunity to learn an instrument and be offered a fun and exciting environment to engage with the world of music.

Being a band member offers a great place to be creative, develop confidence and appreciate craftsmanship and discipline while also offering an engaging space to make new friends and jam along to some good music! Directing the bands at Beacon Hill continues to be an absolute dream and I’ve loved every moment that I’ve gotten to spend with its musicians.

I’m looking forward to hopefully meeting all of you at some point!

If I’m not rehearsing at the MPC you can catch me out in the surf or at a local park with my dog (Maggie).

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Rehearsals

Rehearsals are held before and after school in the MPC.

Junior band rehearses once a week, Intermediate and Concert band rehearse twice a week.

BAND	MORNING 7.45AM	AFTER SCHOOL 3.10PM
Junior	Thursday
Intermediate	Monday	Thursday
Concert	Wednesday	Monday

Costs

Band Fees are charged at the beginning of each term. This fee includes all rehearsals, music, bag, folder, masterclasses and workshops.

If you hire an instrument this is an additional cost per term and if you purchase an instrument mid-year, you simply return your hire instrument. All keyboarders and percussionists are required to have their own instruments at home, and they must pay a hire fee to cover the cost of using the Band Program instruments while at school.

The Band is an important service to our school but we do not operate it as a fundraiser. In fact, it is typically quite challenging for the Band to be financially self-sustaining. It is important that all parents pay their band fees on time.

Tutoring

You will also be required to send your child to private tutoring lessons which are typically half-hour per week. The cost of these lessons depends on the qualifications of your tutor and may vary from $15 – $40 per half hour. Your child will not progress without private tutoring and home practice.

Activities

Joining the Band requires a commitment to weekly individual lessons, weekly rehearsals and regular performances including school assemblies. Some performances may be held externally & outside of school hours.

Band Workshop Weekend

The annual Band Workshop is a compulsory event for all band students and is held on school grounds over a weekend in late May or early June. The students do not sleep over.

It is regarded as the highlight of the Band calendar. The weekend includes tutorials by instrument held by external specialist tutors, rehearsals and FUN TIME activities such as Nerf Wars. The workshop is fully catered.

There is also a surprise musical performance held on the Saturday evening. This year the kids were treated to an amazing performance by an Interactive Drumming Workshop Group! At the completion of the workshop weekend, all parents are invited to a performance by each of the bands. The improvement that each of the bands make over the course of the weekend amazes many parents.

Getting Involved

The Band Program is entirely provided by parents and is managed by a committee of parents. We encourage all parents to be involved in their child’s Band experience. There are many ways to help including rehearsals, performances and various committee functions. It is a compulsory safety requirement that we have parent helpers attend rehearsals.

Rehearsals: The parents of all students are expected to help at rehearsals at least once per term. The presence of a parent helper at rehearsals helps with supervision, allowing the Band Director to focus on musical development. A roster is distributed at the start of the year, on which parents can indicate suitable times. Parents do not need musical experience.
Performances: At the various performances throughout the year parents are required to help set up/clear away/transport instruments, set out chairs, hand out uniforms etc.
Band Committee: All parents are welcome to attend the Band Committee meetings, which are held twice per term or as required.
Supporting Your Child: This is the most important way to be involved! Your child needs constant support and encouragement to keep practising and to ensure that they attend all rehearsals and performances.

Communication with Parents

Email is the main means of communication with band parents via each of the Bands Coordinators.

We use TEAM App to manage our calendar.

We send reminders or last minute changes via push alert, and you can have ALL the details of the Band program at your fingertips making it easy to see when rehearsals are scheduled, check changes and performances!

For more information, please contact our Band Coordinator Caroline Clarkson on bandsecretary@bhpspc.com

Proudly supporting Beacon Hill Public School P&C

Peter Capindale
peter.capindale@belleproperty.com
0457334791
02 9982 3553