Birchgrove Public School is proud to support a vibrant and diverse music programme which is now being run by the P&C.
Since its inception in the early 1990s, this programme has expanded to include a wide variety of performing ensembles:
- Concert Band and Training Band
- Senior, Intermediate and Junior Strings
- Advanced, Consort, Intermediate and Beginner Recorders
- Early Childhood Music.
These ensembles allow students to begin their musical education when they begin school, with Early Childhood Music classes providing a fun and relaxed way to learn basic musical skills. Students may then progress to one of the beginner ensembles, Junior Strings, Beginner Recorders or Training Band. Finally, older students of a good standard may join one the school's senior performing ensembles, the Concert Band, Senior Strings and/or Advanced Recorders. Students are welcome to play more than one instrument and participate in multiple ensembles. Occasionally ensembles, including brass, woodwind and chamber ensembles, are sometimes formed to stretch our most advanced musicians. Outside the music programme, the school also offers the opportunity for students to join choirs or dance groups.
All ensembles perform regularly, both at school and local functions and also in the wider musical community. Birchgrove Public School performing ensembles are regular participants in the Department of Education's Instrumental Festival at the Sydney Opera House, the Ryde East Music Festival, the local St John's Fete and the NSW Band Festival. The highlight of the year is Music Night, where all ensembles from Early Childhood Music to the Concert Band have the opportunity to perform in a musical extravaganza.
Students are encouraged to learn an instrument with one of the many tutors at the school. All our music tutors are highly qualified and experienced professionals. The music programme also supports an instrument hire programme, where students may hire an instrument at a very reasonable rate for their first year of learning. Instruments on offer include piccolo, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, percussion, violin and cello.
A voluntary parent committee runs the Birchgrove Public School music programme with the P&C. It is the most diverse on the Peninsula and a very comprehensive programme for a primary school. Come and join us for an unforgettable musical experience that can begin today, no matter how old your child is!