Bands

Being involved in the school’s band program is a source of enjoyment, a challenge and a commitment. Students will develop skills and attitudes that will last for life.

We have two bands:

• a training band for beginners
• a senior band for experienced players. 

Our bands give performances to other students at school, to parents and the community at special musical events, and to other schools as part of a school concert program. The bands play a combination of popular and well-known classical pieces, including movie and television themes. Students can progress from the training band to the concert band on invitation from the Band Leader

There are currently over 60 students participating in the band program. Students can apply for the band program from Year 4 onwards, and do not need any prior musical experience to join the band. If younger students have been taking music lessons, they may be able to join the band – this is  determined by the Band Director.

Instruments

The instruments which are included in the school concert bands are:

• Trumpet
• Euphonium/Baritone
• Flute
• Trombone
• Alto Saxophone,
• Oboe
• French horn
• Tenor Saxophone
• Clarinet
• Glockenspiel
• Electric Bass guitar
• Percussion/Drums

Instruments are available for hire from the school, or parents can hire or buy instruments from local or online suppliers. Children who own an instrument are also welcome to join.

Choosing an instrument

In Term 4, a band information evening is held with a student demonstration of each of the instrument groups. Students from year 4 and above are offered three instrument choices for hire.

The band leader will make all efforts to accommodate student instrument preferences and will allocate instruments according to availability and suitability. There may be limitations on what instruments children can play due to their hand size or arm length. Students will be notified of their instrument allocation by the band leader via email.

If you did not attend the band information evening and would like to play or have your own instrument, please contact the Martin Taylor, the Band Director.

Hiring an instrument from school

The cost of hiring a Dulwich Hill PS instrument is $70 per term. This includes an instrument maintenance fee. The instrument hire cost is separate to the band and tutorial fees, which are $14 per week. Both instrument rental and band fees are invoiced per term.

For keyboards, drums and percussion there is no term hire fee, however, drummers/percussionists have a “sticks bag” which is hired for a $20 initial fee.

Instruments will be released to the student at the beginning of the year on the signing of a band contract agreement. You would be expected to pay for student inflicted damages or loss of instrument.

Rent from a commercial supplier

There are several local music shops that lease instruments. They usually also offer a rent or buy scheme for new and second-hand instruments:

• The Music Place 179 Parramatta Rd Annandale, 02 9550 0100. Scott
• Optimum Percussion and Music, 42 Burwood Road, Burwood. Tel 9744 1829 Alan or Carolyn Watson
• Sax and Woodwind. Shop 3, 158 Parramatta Rd., Camperdown (entrance Mallet St). Tel 95574588
• Logan’s Music, 250 Burwood Rd. Burwood Tel 9744 2400. Ask for James or Peter Byrne.

Purchase your own instrument

There are a wide range of new and second-hand instruments available from the above suppliers or through private sale in newspapers.

Sectional rehearsals and band practice

The Band Program runs on Wednesday afternoons from 3:15 until 5:15. It consists of two sessions:

• a whole band practice 
• sectional rehearsals. 

Whole band practice is where the whole band rehearses together with the conductor. 

Sectional Rehearsals are run by tutors hired by the school and occur in smaller groups. The tuition groups are based on ‘sections’ of similar instruments. These group lessons provide the basis for learning how to play the instrument and to practise the tunes that the whole band is learning.

Timetable

Training Band

• 3:15pm – 4:15pm Group Lessons - Sectionals
• 4:15pm – 5:15pm Whole Band Rehearsal

Senior Band

• 3:15pm – 4:15pm Whole Band Rehearsal
  
• 4:15pm – 5:15pm Group Lessons - Sectionals

Private Lessons

To further support or accelerate learning, music tutors hold optional private lessons at the school outside of school hours. If undertaking private lessons, band and string group members are still expected to attend weekly sectional and whole band rehearsals.

Times, lesson location and rates are arranged directly with the tutors. For further information see Music tutors.

Read more about our DHPS Music tutor profiles and contacts.

Tutor Books and 'extras'

Tuition books for each instrument are provided and students work through these as they progress on their instrument. These are loaned to the students on the condition that they are well cared for. If they are lost, the replacement fee is $20. Music stands will be provided at school only. It is suggested that student purchase a stand for home use, about $15-$50. All instruments have 'little extras' such as reeds, oils, cleaning cloths, drumsticks,  which need to be paid for by parents.

Fees

Band fees are $15 per week. This includes the cost of sheet music, music folder, tuition book, group lessons, band equipment, the conductor hiring and  administration

Band fees and instrument hire costs are included in the school’s term invoices.

Missed rehearsals

Missed band rehearsals are unfortunately not refundable. Band is a big commitment and we require all students enrolled as band members to be there each week.

Expectations

It does not really matter which instrument a child plays, as they will learn how to read music and play in a group. In practical terms, it will mean that students will undertake to practise their instrument at least 3 times a week for about 20 minutes per practice.

Parent support is essential. They will need somewhere away from distractions  to practise. Students need to commit to band for at least one year. It is not just having talent, it is about daily will power to achieve what you set out to do. Anyone can play an instrument in band – it just takes commitment. All band members are expected to:

• Attend all rehearsals and performances.
• Bring their instrument and music to rehearsals.
• Practise their instrument at home on a regular basis.
• Behave appropriately during all band rehearsals.