TRAINING BAND
Expressions of interest for 2014
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Ferncourt Public School’s exciting Music Program is seeking expressions of interest from students wishing to join
our band program for 2014!
We will be forming a new Training Band for students who have not been a part of the band before and would like
to learn an instrument. Membership of the band is open to all students from years 3-6. No musical knowledge is
required and there are a range of instruments available for hire through the school.
Music has many benefits for your child. Many studies have found that music generally enhances brain
development, especially in younger students, whilst, of course, being fun. Playing a musical instrument is a
wonderful skill that many students use throughout their lives.
In particular, playing in a band reinforces what students learn independently in tutorials and develop their
listening and musical response. Furthermore, children socialise with and interact in groups outside their usual
peers and across many different ages, enhancing their social skills. Public performances build confidence and teach
students valuable stagecraft skills. Many high schools look to students’ involvement in musical and
extracurricular groups, in addition to their academic record, as a sign of a well-rounded student.
The Training Band is made up of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. All instruments are important to
the group and require the same level of commitment, practice and enthusiasm. Some students will obviously have
a preference for, or be more physically suited to play a particular instrument and this will be taken into account
when they are assigned instruments. Balancing the ensemble, with the instruments the school has available, is also
taken into consideration. Students generally spend about one year in Training Band, where they learn about music
reading, instrument skills and ensemble playing. Students are expected to practice 3-4 times a week at home and
also to attend regular tutorials.
Instruments in the Band:
Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn or Mellophone (beginner horn), Baritone (small tuba),
Trombone, Euphonium (medium tuba), Glockenspiel (xylophone like instrument), Keyboard/piano,
Drums/percussion, Bass Guitar.
Commitments & Costs
Students join an ensemble and are expected to make a commitment for the year. They need to come to rehearsals
at school every Friday morning from 8am, go to regular tutorials (group or private are ok - a list of recommended
tutors is provided at the beginning of the year) and to practise at home. Attendance at performances is also part of
the commitment and some of these occur outside of school hours. This year our bands have performed at in-school
assemblies, the Engadine Band Festival, Ferncourt Gala concert (even years), the Training Band Blow-In, the
Combined Schools Band Camp, Marrickville Festival and other community events.
All students in the program pay Band Fees. We use these to cover the cost of our conductors, purchase of music
and equipment and general band administration. These are currently $50 per term.
Some instruments are available to hire from the school at (currently) $160 for the year.
All students must have tutorials outside of rehearsal or school times. These tutorials are not included in the music
fees and are paid directly to the tutor. Current costs are between $25-$35 for a half-hour lesson. If the cost is an
issue please contact the school principal, Ms Ruth Turnell, to discuss options.
Application
Interested students are invited to apply in the next two weeks and try-outs will take place on Friday 8th
November between 9 and 10am. Try-outs will ONLY take place on this morning. The try-outs are not intended to
assess musical knowledge but to assess the student’s instrument suitability and interests. Following try-outs,
students will receive a note offering them a place in Training Band for a particular instrument.
If you would like your child to be considered for the band program in 2014, please return the note attached
to Ms Sen or Mr Ryan on or before Wednesday 6th November. If you have further enquiries about the band,
please contact Ms Sen at the school.
Yours musically,
Ms Viktoria Sen
Ferncourt Public School Band Liaison
Block C – Rm 9
[email protected]
James Ryan
Training Band Director
Available Friday mornings from 8am
FERNCOURT SCHOOL BAND
Application for 2014
Student’s Name: ___________________________ Class: ____________
Please trace around your child’s hand on the back of this note. 
I would like my child to be considered for the Band Program for 2014. I understand that, if
accepted, they will be assigned an instrument based on their suitability and the needs of the
program. I also understand that I may be liable for any loss or damage of instruments and music
hired from the school.
Signed (parent/guardian):________________________ Date: ________
Contact Phone Number: _________________________
Email: __________________________________________
Extra Information:
If your child has had any previous musical experience of any sort, please list below. Please also add
any information about your child that may pertain to their participation in band.
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