School band
All students in Years 3 to 6 are invited to participate in Cammeray Public School's band program. Students participate across four bands:
- concert band
- intermediate band
- junior band
- big band
The band program has been operating since 1999 and has established a tradition of excellence, enormous fun and achievement for the children and parents.
All bands are conducted by our music director, Robert Sidaway. .
Junior band
All new band members join the junior band program. Students joining junior band are not required to have any prior musical knowledge or experience. New band members remain in junior band for a year and progress the following year to intermediate band.
Intermediate band
The intermediate band builds on the skills developed in the junior band.
Concert band
Entry to the concert band is by audition. Auditions for subsequent year's concert band are conducted in Term 4. The auditions involve a prepared piece, scales and sight reading. The concert band develops a broader repertoire of concert pieces with an increased degree of difficulty and complexity. The concert band generally goes on tour in Term 4.
Big band
The big band is primarily a jazz and contemporary music ensemble. Students in the big band are exposed to many challenging musical styles and performance techniques, with a strong emphasis on improvisation and soloing. Entry to the big band is by audition. Auditions are open to all intermediate and concert band students and are conducted in Term 4.
Rehearsals
Attendance at rehearsals and camps is compulsory.
Joining the band
- Attend the band information night and read the band handbook. All forms are in the handbook.
- Complete the application form and the student band contract during Term 3. In your application to join the band program we ask your child to nominate 3 preferred instruments based on their assessment. As the overall aim is to develop a balanced band and sound, it is unlikely that all players will be offered their first preference of instrument.
- The band committee will advise you, via email, of which instrument your child has been selected for before the end of Term 4.
- If you have requested to hire an instrument, you will be notified by email, as to whether your hire request has been successful. You will then be required to pay the rental bond and return a completed indemnity form to the band box. Once the bond payment and indemnity form have been received, instruments will be issued to students towards the beginning of Term 1
- You will receive an email with details of your child's music tutor and whether your child is in junior band at the beginning of Term 1.