The Training Band is aimed at students in their first year of learning an instrument and playing in a band. The band is open to any students who will be in Years 3 – 6 in 2027.
After completing one year in the Training Band, students will move up to our Performance Band.
Families organise their own weekly lessons at a time that suits them. Please see our Music Lessons section.
Group rehearsals are once a week at BPS. Official start date and time for 2027 will be confirmed closer to the end of the year, but are likely to be on Wednesday mornings 8-9am at BPS.
Read about changes to our band program for 2027 and our new conductor here.
Decide which instruments your child is interested in
Understand the Fees involved and the Music Lesson requirement
Decide on hiring or purchasing an instrument. We recommend hiring an instrument for the first year.
Read the responsibilities
Complete the registration form
Yes, however we need to ensure the band has a balance of instruments. The Conductor will also assess whether a particular instrument is suitable for your child based on a variety of factors including:
The student's preferences
Student's size and strength (a trombone requires relatively long arms, some small students can find alto saxophones too heavy etc.)
Overall balance of the Band to ensure there are enough instruments in the various sections
Our bands are made up of a variety of instruments, generally limited to:
Woodwinds - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone
Brass - Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, French Horn
Percussion - Drum Kit and auxiliary percussion – triangles, cymbals, etc.
Bass Guitar, Keyboard
The Term 1 start date is usually between weeks 3 and 5.
Children are required to have weekly instrumental lessons with an experienced instrumental tutor as well as attend weekly rehearsals (see Music Lessons).
Yes! Whilst completely optional, the combined Wideview Band Camp from 2-4 April in Term 1 is a great way to escalate your child's learning of their new instrument. Training band students will be in sessions tailored specificially to students just starting out with their instrument. By the end of the weekend, the group is often ready to perform a song!
We will work closely with the child and conductor to work out the best starting band placement for the student. Often if a student starts in training band with previous experience they move quickly up to performance band.