YEAR 5 BAND PROGRAM
As part of the Junior School curriculum, all students in Year 5 participate in an introductory band program. Students receive tuition on a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument from one of our specialist music teachers and gain ensemble experience through participation in one of two Year 5 concert bands. This uniquely ‘All Saints’ initiative has been very successful. A significant number of students who participate often pursue learning an instrument into Year 6, with many continuing in the Band Program through to Year 12. In addition to the joy of mastering their instrument, students gain valuable skills in cognition, coordination, cooperation and self-discipline - all skills which complement learning in the classroom.
Specialist Teaching Staff
Euphonium/Tuba:
Clarinet:
Flute:
French Horn:
Oboe:
Percussion:
Saxophone:
Trumpet:
Trombone:
Cost
Mr Peter Foley (pfoley@asas.qld.edu.au)
Mrs Kellie Clarke (kclarke@asas.qld.edu.au)
Mrs Noelle McAlister (nmcalister@asas.qld.edu.au)
Ms Natalie Douglas (ndouglas@asas.qld.edu.au)
Ms Gabrielle Knight (gknight@asas.qld.edu.au)
Mr Lachlan O’Keefe (laokeefe@asas.qld.edu.au)
Ms Shu-Yi Che (sche@asas.qld.edu.au)
Mr Scott Mason (smason@asas.qld.edu.au)
Mr Owen Clarke (oclarke@asas.qld.edu.au)
The cost for the program is $240 and is included in school fees for Semester 1. This fee includes the cost of tuition by specialist music staff, instrument hire and tutor booklet. Some students will need to purchase additional small items such as reeds and valve oil depending on the type of instrument they learn.
Semester 1
Compulsory component for Terms 1 and 2
Friday - Between 11.30am and 1.30pm 30-minute group lessons
Friday - 2.05pm to 3.00pm
Sectional lesson (Term 1)
Concert band rehearsals (Term 2)
The Year 5 Band Program commences with a special instrument demonstration and testing day. The day begins with a demonstration of the various band instruments by the specialist instrument teachers to the entire Year 5 cohort. Following the demonstration, each Year 5 class visits the Holloway Music Centre at a designated time and each student is assessed on all instruments offered. Once each student has been assessed, they will complete an instrument selection form with their top three preferences.
Subsequently, all students are allocated a band instrument for the semester based on a combination of teacher assessments, student preferences, class sizes and instrument quotas. Please note, we always endeavour to cater for students’ preference with regard to instrument choice. However, the number of instruments available, instrument teacher’s testing recommendations, suitably sized lesson groups and the overall band balance will also determine the decision made.
Students will be informed of their instrument allocation by class teachers the following week and lessons will commence on the Friday, when students receive their instruments.
Throughout Term 1, students participate in 30-minute large group lessons on Fridays. They also participate in 55-minute sectional lessons after lunch, where all flute students have a lesson together, as do all trumpet students, clarinet students and so on. In Term 2, two 50-piece Year 5 Concert Bands are created and band rehearsals replace these Friday afternoon sectional lessons.
Concert Band rehearsals take place in the PSA Performance Room and Choral/Orchestral Room in the Holloway Music Centre. Both lessons and band rehearsals continue until the end of Semester 1. Students have a number of opportunities to perform during this time.
Semester 2
Superband component (optional) Terms 3 and 4
Weekdays - 30-minute paired or private lessons
Friday - 2.00pm to 3.00pm: Superband rehearsal
In Semester 2, students who elect to continue with their band instrument will be required to enrol in either paired or private 30-minute lessons which are billed for the semester. This is to further enhance individual progress and development within the All Saints Band Program. Cost details for these lessons will be outlined in correspondence later in Semester 1. There is no additional charge for continued instrument hire in Semester 2 or participation in the Superband.
Private and paired lessons are timetabled throughout the school week as negotiated between classroom and specialist music teachers. Superband rehearsals will also continue weekly on Friday afternoons between 2.00pm to 3.00pm
Care of instruments
Many of our Band Program instruments are very expensive (some are also quite fragile) and must be treated with care and respect at all times. Parents will be sent a loan agreement form which will need to be signed and returned to the Performing Arts Department. In their first lesson, students are instructed in the correct handling and care of their instrument, as well as receiving a handout outlining how to care for their particular type of instrument. Students should not leave their instrument at school during the week, as they are required to practise at home.
Home practice
Students should aim to practise on a daily basis. In early stages, 10 minutes per day is a suggested minimum in order to make satisfactory progress. Please try to make time to listen to students play, and encourage and compliment them on their efforts.
Communication
Please read the Performing Arts section of Saints Alive each week as important information about upcoming concerts will be included.
FAQs
What if my child is already continuing on a string instrument from the Year 3 Strings Program? This program will give them the opportunity to play a band instrument. Students may choose to cease either instrument at the end of each semester if they having difficultly maintaining two instruments.
What if my child is already learning one of the band instruments listed above? We would encourage them to try a different instrument offered in the program. There are many students at All Saints who become multiinstrumentalists and play in a variety of bands through to Year 12.
Can my child swap instruments?
We discourage this once the program has begun, but we can discuss if the situation arises.
Performances
Semester 1
• Year 5 Band Program Concert
• Year 5 Band Program Graduation Concert
Semester 2 (Superband)
• Gold Coast Eisteddfod
• Junior School Concert
• End of year Concert
• Junior School Band Concert
CONTACT US
For any queries regarding the Year 5 Band program, please contact Mr Owen Clarke at oclarke@asas.qld.edu.au
For general enquiries, please contact Performing Arts Administration on (07) 5587 0351 or performingartsadmin@asas.qld.edu.au
Your student’s specialist music teacher will also share their direct contact details. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to them for information regarding instrument progress, or for matters relating to lessons.