Back to Bands - Term 1 2026

Hi All

Welcome back to school - almost! We are looking forward to getting things up and running for band 2026. Please read the important information below.

Conducting Team 2026

After 18 months of juggling changes in our conducting team, I am very hopeful that this year will see some stability which will make a difference to the progress of the bands and your child's experience of band.

Our team this year is:

Emma Clain - Director of Bands. Emma will be overseeing the program and will have a rehearsal with each band which will ensure consistency of approach and teaching across the program.

Angus Bullough - Angus returns this year - a reliable and experienced part of the team with great energy. Ashleigh Lane - Ashleigh joins our team this year and will conduct two rehearsals. Ashleigh is is a flautist and graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium where she studied performance in flute and conducting. She has experience conducting bands and choirs in primary schools and high schools and works in the Arts Unit and Gondwana Choirs as an administrator.

Rehearsal Schedule Monday morning 7.40am – Junior Band – Emma Clain

Monday Lunch – Concert Band – Emma Clain

Tuesday morning 7.40am – Performance Band – Angus Bullough

Tuesday Lunch – Junior Band - Ashleigh Lane

Wednesday morning 7.40am – Concert Band - Ashleigh Lane

Thursday morning 7.40am - Performance Band - Emma Clain

Rehearsals Begin - Week 3 (W/b 9 Feb)

Junior Band - Monday 9 February at 7.40am in the Hall. Concert Band - Wednesday 11 February 7.40am in the Hall Performance Band - Thursday 12 February 7.40am in the Hall.

Leaving the Band Program? If you are leaving the school or taking a break from band please let us know in writing - email bnpsband@hotmail.com

Private Tuition

A reminder that it is very important for band members to have good quality, experienced private tutors who can teach them correct technique on their instrument and understand the importance of music theory etc when they are playing their pieces. We have found that those students who don't have a good tutor are often the ones who lose interest in playing as they are unable to play their instrument with confidence and participate fully in band. They fall behind the others and it proves frustrating for the child and the other band members. Yes, it is a financial commitment but it does pay you and your child back ten fold when the child achieves a competent playing standard and has pride in themselves. There is a list of tutors on our website and others who work locally. Please get in touch if you need assistance with finding a good tutor.

Conductor Catch Ups Schedule

Conductor catch ups for band members will be held in the usual rehearsal times. These catch ups will only take 5 minutes. Parents are welcome to 'drop and run' ie leave your child and we will supervise until playground is open.

Catch up criteria can be found here

Proposed schedule below. Please email bnpsband@hotmail.com  with questions, changes etc

We would like to see everyone so we can form bands in time for start of rehearsals the following week.

Thursday 5 February from 7.40am The children will be supervised until the playground is open. Parents in the 8am and 8.15am timeslots can bring their child earlier if more convenient.

7.40am Laila W Cleo M Thomas B Grace H Hugo M Oscar S

8.00am Neve M Ivy V Jasper D Juliet K Eddie S Max S-C Claire Z

8.15am Ayla D Billie B Vanessa P Sophia M Camilla D Ivy H

Monday 9 February - Lunchtime - at first bell time The students will be grouped and will be given time to eat and playground time.

Charile B Jillian H Mariel H Ben H Violet R Edie V Phoebe W

Jackson Q Sina C Maxen W Flynn B Liam R Augie G Dylan B

Harvey M Charlie H Sebastian J Finlay Mc Clark Z