The Hornsby North Public School Band Program has five bands, to accommodate students of different abilities from Year 3 to Year 6. We have three Wind Bands; Junior Band, Intermediate Band, and Wind Ensemble, and one extension jazz group; Big Band. We've had many great successes with all of our groups, and try to ensure that our students are in the right group for their experience and ability by using our awards program.
Use this as the quick rehearsal and level reference.
For students starting with little or no musical experience.
Junior Band is a core ensemble where children enter with little or no musical experience. Students usually remain in Junior band for one year. They are involved in performances usually in the second half of the year.
For students who have successfully completed a bronze award.
Intermediate Band is a core ensemble that involves children who have successfully completed a bronze award. This ensemble performs at various in-school events such as assemblies and Education Week activities, as well as performing in external eisteddfods and festivals.
For students who have successfully completed a silver award.
Wind Ensemble is a core ensemble that involves children who have successfully completed a silver award. They perform at school and community events as well as various band festivals.
An invited senior extension group for committed jazz students.
Big Band is an extension ensemble that runs concurrently to the core ensembles, and is the more senior of our two jazz bands. This means that students in Big Band are also in one of the core ensembles, usually Wind Ensemble. Entry into Big Band is by invitation. Places are usually offered to those who play trumpet, trombone, euphonium, saxophone, bass, piano and percussion and who have demonstrated commitment to their music and the band program. Big Band performs at school events, community events and various band festivals.
Junior Band, Intermediate Band, and Wind Ensemble are the main progression pathway for students in the program.
Big Band runs alongside the core bands and is offered by invitation.