Assessment Day Schedule

ACTION - RSVP REQUIRED - Please see below

Dear Parents/Carers
 
As you are aware, assessments for our band students will be held on Wednesday 5 February next week in the Hall.
 
Around 80 children are being assessed on this day - it's busy day so we ask for your cooperation with observing the timing in the schedule so wait times are kept to a minimum. The schedule ensures that each child is given adequate time for their assessment.  We appreciate your cooperation and patience.

​Please note that siblings are welcome to their assessment at the same time even if  a differrent instrument is scheduled.
 
Assessment Criteria
If you have misplaced the criteria or need a reminder, you can find the assessment criteria here - assessment criteria.  Other factors such as feedback from tutors, attendance at rehearsals/camps/performances, commitment to team and behaviour expectations as set out in the BHPS PBEL will also be taken into account.
 
Assessment Process - what happens on the day?  DON'T PANIC - it's very informal and relaxed.
Band Music Director, Mr Ray Hampton and Senior Band Conductor, Mrs Emma Clain, will carry out the assessments with each student. The assessments are very informal and relaxed and take around 5 minutes to complete in most cases. There will be parent helpers assisting with greeting the children, assisting them with their warm up, settling any nerves and supervising them until they are collected by parents.
  
Assessment Times
Students/sections have been allocated a time frame, please find the schedule below. It is important that the students attend at their allocated timeslot to help the process run smoothly for all involved. We would prefer that students attend at their allocated time, however there is some flexibility if we know prior to assessment day. Please let us know via the assessment RSVP form.  Siblings may attend together so it is more convenient for the parents.
 
Students will be placed in the next spot in the queue as they arrive.  We will send you a text if the assessments are running more than 45 minutes late or if we are running earlier.
 
If you have any questions about the assessment process please e-mail bhpsconcertband@optusnet.com.au.

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Returning to Band

At this time of year, some children are unsure if they want to re-join band as they are enjoying having a break from routine during the holidays. If your child isn't sure if they want to join band this year, please encourage your child to come along to assessments where they will see other students re-joining band and they can chat to the band conductors about their concerns.  

Please note: if your child has successfully auditioned for Arts Alive Concert Band, Arts Unit Ensembles or NSSWE ensembles, it is a requirement of those ensembles that the students are also members of their school band.
 
RSVP REQUIRED PLEASE - access the online RSVP form here
Your RSVP will help us to manage the flow of students on assessment day therefore we need to know numbers. Thank you.
Please RSVP so we know you have read and understood this email and we can confirm numbers of students attending the assessments.  Use this form to let us know the following:
 
- Your child is attending the assessment
- Your child is in Arabanoo on excursion
- You need to arrange another time on the assessment day
- Your child is leaving the school/band
- Anything else you would like to raise or we need to know/consider

We can be flexible with the audition time however we are also required to manage numbers in the Hall so would appreciate your cooperation with following the schedule.  If you need another time please indicate it on the RSVP form (link below).  Thank you.

Assessment Schedule.  Please read the schedule carefully noting your allocated time.  RSVP please
 
* Year is the school year the child is going into in 2025.

8.00am - Arabanoo excursion attendees and New students to BHPS incl. OC
8.30am - Year 4 - clarinets
9.30am - Year 5 & 6 clarinets
10.00am - Year 4, 5 & 6 - Flutes
10.45am - Year 4 & 5 - Saxes
11.15am - Year 6 Saxes (Altos and Tenors)
11.30am - Year 4, 5 & 6 - Trumpets and French Horn
12.30pm - Lunch break
1.30pm - Year 4, 5 & 6 - Trombones, Euphoniums, Baritone
2.30pm - Year 4, 5 & 6 Percussion, keyboard and bass

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REMINDER - Please confirm you are coming to the assessment - RSVP via the online form.
 
What to bring
- Instrument
- Essential Elements (if you have it) for students trying out for Senior Band. Junior Band 2024 students will have Essential Elements book.
- A piece of music your child is comfortable playing - it could be a piece your child has been working on with their tutor.
- A quiet activity such as a book to read or colouring in etc
- Drink bottle
- 2024 Band members - please bring your music folder to return if you haven't done so already.
 
Contact on the day: Caroline Fechner 0403 579 130. Please message/text.
  

Notification of Band Placement

We will endeavour to notify everyone of their band placement by Monday 10 February.  Your patience is appreciated.

Every student will be placed in a band.  You will be notified (via e-mail) letting you know which band your child will be a member of this year. Please be patient with this process as we like to make sure we get it right and ensure that the majority of students have been assessed prior to notification.

Rehearsals Start Dates

Concert Band - Tuesday 18 February 7.45am and Thursday 20 February lunchtime

Senior Band - Wednesday 12 February 7.45am and Friday 14  February 7.45am.   

Junior Band - Wednesday 19 February - lunchtime and Thursday 20 February 3.05pm - 4.00pm

 
Questions?  

Please contact us on bhpsconcertband@optusnet.com.au to get in touch.  Please allow a few days for a response.

In the meantime please encourage your child to play their instrument for 10 minutes a few times between now and the assessments to ensure they maintain their technique and feel prepared for the assessments.

We are looking forward to working with the band students this year.

Enjoy the last few days of your holiday break.