College Concert Band

The College Concert Band involves students from Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt, Balmain and Blackwattle Bay Campuses.

Leichhardt, Balmain and Blackwattle Bay students who have experience in playing an instrument are invited to join the band. We have opened membership of the ensemble to all players: traditional concert band instrumentalists, string players, piano and keyboard as well as guitar. Given time for development over the next two years we feel confident that we will be able to create an orchestra capable of matching those of Sydney schools with established instrumental programs.

As in the case of all school band programs there is a supporting network of staff and parents who assist the director in the administration and organisation of the program. An annual fee will be a condition of membership which will cover the costs of the salary of the director, the library of music scores to support the band's repertoire, photocopying, hardware such as music stands and the hire of specialist music instruments by the college. Fees will be reasonable and in line with those of surrounding government schools which many parents will be used to.

We are looking forward to hearing and seeing our band on the stage of the Opera House, along side other longer established schools, and at the many other performance opportunities which the Department of Education provides, in the not too distant future. It is apparent that are many talented and passionate musicians across the three campuses.

Benefits for Your Child

Belonging to a significant co-curricular program in schools has enormous benefit for the way students perceive their place in the school, their attitudes to school attendance and the development of a sense of community.

As well, the fostering of positive relationships with other children of both the same age and in different cohorts is a significant feature of school band programs, as children learn through collaboration, cooperation and establish friendships through the shared endeavour of making music. This vertical structure which the band provides gives some students a much needed alternative cohort or different mix in their social lives at school, relating to students in different years, both younger and older.

For our college, there is the obvious added benefit of students getting to know their peers form the other campuses and experiencing true collegiality.

College Band Information