From pizza lunches to the annual Band Camp, Christmas concerts to special school open houses, the Manly West Band program offers extensive opportunities for children to learn and be involved in our highly celebrated extra-curricular music program.
Our bands perform at school assemblies, external events and also enter a number of competitions each year. Our bands are highly regarded and regularly win gold at competitions.
How Do I Join?
Band membership is open to any interested student in Years 3–6. No prior musical experience is needed to join the Training Band.
At the end of Year 2, parents are encouraged to attend an information night which introduces them to the Band program and provides all the details they might require.
Our Bands
We have four levels of bands at Manly West Public School:
Progress through the bands is by audition in late November/early December each year. New students to the school are invited to audition at any time.
Our Brand Program Leaders
The school community is very fortunate to have Penny Coucill B.Mus.Ed as our Band Director.
Penny has been with Manly West since 2004, and has led our bands to a proud record of achievement in competitions and local performances, as well as providing our students with wonderful opportunities for individual development.
Instruments
Instruments Played Include:
- Clarinet
- Bass clarinet
- Flute
- Percussion
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Oboe
- Alto saxophone
- Tenor saxophone
- Euphonium
- Bass guitar
- French horn
- Tenor horn
- Keyboard
Instrument Selection
In late November, Year 2 students wanting to join the Training Band in the following year will have the opportunity to try out various instruments (a ‘blow test’) and put forward their first preferences.
Do I Need My Own Instrument?
Training Band members, along with some players of larger instruments from the higher bands, will often hire an instrument through the School, unless they already have access to their own.
Beyond Training Band, most band members will need to buy their own instrument, new or second hand.
The Commitment – Lessons and More…
Each week students will be required to attend:
- 2 full band rehearsals (one morning and one afternoon)
- a sectional tutorial (not for Training Band)
- a half-hour private lesson/week
Throughout the year, there are performances within and outside the School, annual band competitions and Band Camp. All band members must attend the band competitions and Band Camp.
Private Tuition
Private lessons are organised outside school hours and paid for independently. The Band Coordinator has a list of tutors who offer lessons at school before and after school hours.
Band Rehearsal Schedule
Morning Session – 8:00am
| Monday | Concert |
| Tuesday | Intermediate |
| Wednesday | Training |
| Thursday | Performance |
Afternoon Session – 3:30pm
| Monday | Training |
| Tuesday | Performance |
| Wednesday | Intermediate |
| Thursday | Concert |
Sectional Tutorials
All members of Intermediate, Concert and Performance Bands attend a weekly half hour tutorial for their section (eg. trumpets, percussion) in addition to full band rehearsals. Details are sent via email.
Band Camp
All band members attend a two-day musical camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation at Narrabeen in Term 2. The camp is the highlight of the school year for many. Training Band and Intermediate Band members attend one day of the camp. Concert Band and Performance Band stay overnight and attend for two days.
Band Fees
Band participation is an extra-curricular activity and as such is not funded by the school or the NSW Department of Education.
Band fees directly cover the costs of paying the Band Director and the sectional tutors. They also cover competition entry fees and music charts (sheet music).
Band fees are issued on a Semester basis which means that the fees cover two terms.
Band Uniform
- White long-sleeved shirt
- Long black pants (no jeans, track pants or jazz pants)
- Blue Manly West band tie
- Black socks
- Royal blue hair ribbons
The band uniform is available through the Manly West Uniform Shop. Manly West library bags are recommended for carrying music books and folders.
Band Performances
Every year Manly West bands perform at events such as the Yamaha Band Festival, NSW School Band Festival, the Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival and the local Battle of the Bands.
Before Christmas, two of the bands perform for the children at the Arranounbai School at Frenchs Forest.
Manly West Performance Band has also been selected to play at the Opera House as part of the Department of Education and Communities’ State-wide combined schools music festivals.
