Our Bands
Junior Band (JB)
Junior Band is for beginners, often the first experience learning a musical instrument. Children generally commence in Junior Band in Year 3, but also open for any beginners in Yr4-6.
By the end of their first year our JB will usually have performed at the school at K-2 assembly, Music Camp and Open Day. In the second half of the year, they have their first external performance at the NSW School Band Festival and at Roseville Kindy.
Senior Band (SB)
Following a year in JB, students usually progress to SB the following year.
It is largely made up of children from Year 4.
SB usually performs at the school’s Open Day, assembly performances and the North Shore Primary School Band Festival. The children all look forward to their SB Tour, which takes place late in Term 3. On the tour, the Band usually visit schools in Sydney’s west, which either don’t have their own band program, or have a significantly smaller program. The children perform for, or with students from these schools.
Concert Band (CB)
This is our most senior ensemble, and comprises children from Years 5 and 6 who have successfully auditioned following their year in SB. Most children stay in CB until the end of Year 6.
CB perform at many of the same events as SB, however in addition they perform at NSW Band Festival in August every year, and may perform at a local school for students with intellectual disabilities, and at the Year 3 – 6 Presentation Day. Year 6 members of CB are also rostered to perform the National Anthem during Year 3-6 assembly.
CB also have a CB Tour each year, on which they either visit schools or participate in a music development day, finishing with a fun activity as a reward for their commitment to the band program over the years.
Our Conductors
Alex Kirk - JB
Anthony Marsden - IB
Hayden Dalton - CB
Useful Resources
2024 Rehearsal Timetable
JB | Wednesday | 3.00 – 4.20 pm | Friday | 7.30 – 8.45 am |
IB | Tuesday | 3.00 – 4.20 pm | Thursday | 7.30 – 8.45 am |
CB | Tuesday | 7.15 – 8.45 am | Thursday | 3.00 – 4.20 pm |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs the band program?
The band program is run by parent volunteers as a sub committee of the P&C, with the endorsement of the School. We engage qualified conductors to lead the bands, qualified instrument tutors to provide lessons and manage the day to day running of the band program, including music camp and performances.
We are a committee of approximately 15, mostly volunteer parents, who meet one night a term to discuss Band matters. We currently have 2 parents acting as “band representatives” for each band, an instrument coordinator, tutor coordinator, Music Camp coordinator, Music Spectacular coordinator and administrative assistant. We are always looking for any interested parents to join us. If you would like to be involved, please contact us on band@lpspandc.org.au
What instruments are in the band?
The instruments available are flute, clarinet, saxophone (alto and tenor), trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium (and baritone), tuba and percussion.
Percussion includes over 30 instruments including drums, glockenspiel, timpani and many more.
The piano/keyboard is part of the extension ensemble (Big Band) only, so students learning the piano and invited to learn a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument in the larger bands.
What is the time commitment to be in the band?
A standard week in band would involve 3hours + home practice time.
All children in the program are enrolled in at least one ensemble – Junior Band, Intermediate Band or Concert Band.
Each concert band ensemble rehearses twice a week (1.25hr before school and 1.25hr after school). Members are required to attend both rehearsals – total 2.5hr per week.
An additional extension ensemble (Big Band) is also available for those wishing to have an additional opportunity (extra 1hr rehearsal).
All band members must also have at least one half hour (30min) individual lesson per week, held at the school with an allocated tutor.
Students who leave the band program will no longer be able to attend lessons at the school.
Additional performances: Our bands are also asked to perform at various school events and external festivals, competitions and events (TBC), which may require additional time outside rehearsals. Members may also be required to attend some weekend performances and the annual band camp.
How do I enrol my child?
New band members are invited to join Junior Band, our beginner band. Students must be in year 3-6 to join the band program.
Intake/enrolments open in Term 4 for the following year. At this time, students are allocated instruments via a matching process. A tutor will also be assigned to each student.
Late enrolments may be accepted in early Term 1, before band commences, however instrument/tutor options may be limited.
If your child has transferred from another school band program, they may be moved into the Intermediate (2nd Year) or Concert Band (3rd and 4th year) once they have met with the conductor.
Contact: band@lpspandc.org.au
Can I hire an instrument?
The Lindfield Public School band program offers a number of larger/rare instruments for hire including:
- Trombone
- French Horn
- Tenor Saxophone
- Bass Clarinet
- Euphonium
- Baritone
- Tuba (including a rehearsal/tutorial instrument kept at school)
To hire an instrument, please contact the Instrument Coordinator: lindfieldinstruments@gmail.com
How do I pay for band, instrument hire and tutorials?
Band Fees:
Annual Fees for band are split into 2 payments – Semester 1 (due Term 1) and Semester 2 (due Term 3).
These are payable online, via this website. Scroll down to select your child’s band fee option.
Instrument Hire Fees:
If you hire an instrument, your annual hire fee is $220, split into 2 Semester payments. Payable at the same time as band fees.
A Instrument Bond of $150 is also payable when you first hire the instrument. It may be refunded when the instrument is returned in the same condition.
Tutorial Fees:
You will be provided a separate invoice and payment instructions from your tutor. Invoices are payable every term.
Late fees may apply to late payments of the above.
Can I use my Creative Kids Voucher?
Yes. LPS Band program has registered with the NSW Government as a provider under the Creative Kids scheme. Parents with eligible vouchers will be able to apply these vouchers against Band Fees, giving a $100 saving. Vouchers can be obtained through Service NSW https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher
Note that vouchers can only be redeemed against one activity.
Band Fees
Redeeming your Creative Kids Voucher
LPS Band program has registered with the NSW Government as a provider under the Creative Kids scheme. Parents with eligible vouchers will be able to apply these vouchers against Semester 1 Fees, giving a $50 saving.
Vouchers can be obtained through Service NSW website https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher
Note that vouchers can only be redeemed against one activity.
Instrument Hire Fees & Band bags
Band Committee
Conductors – Anthony Marsden, Alex Kirk and Hayden Dalton
Band Administrator – Naomi Reiter
Band Co-Convenor – Ros Richardson
Band Co-Convenor – Lisa Maclean
Tutor Co-ordinator – Volunteer needed
Instrument Co-ordinator – Kathy Caruana (lindfieldinstruments@gmail.com)
Event Coordinator – Volunteer needed
Music Librarian – Volunteer needed
Fundraising Coordinator – Volunteer needed
Concert Band Reps – Shachi Parikh, Jessica Mackenzie
Intermediate Band Reps – Michelle Wibisono
Junior Band Reps – Jenn Lam, Brenna Roumanos
Email: band@lpspandc.org.au