THE WILLOUGHBY PUBLIC SCHOOL BAND
The Willoughby Public School Band program aims to contribute to each student's development musically, socially and personally.
Our musical aims are to give all students, regardless of their previous musical experience the opportunity:
Playing in a band can contribute to a student's development of team and community spirit, self-esteem, social interaction, self-discipline and responsibility.
Our program is part of our P&C, and is parent organised with the support of the school. Our Musical Director is Ms Alex Bieri, who also conducts the Training Band and Concert Band. Our Performing Band Conductor is Mr Phil Molloy.
BAND DIRECTOR: Ms. Alex Bieri
Alex commenced at Willoughby Public School at the beginning of Term 1, 2004 conducting the Concert Band. Alex has a Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium. Alex plays the trumpet, and is an experienced teacher. She has also been a member of the Sydney Youth Orchestra, Australian Youth Orchestra, and plays casually at the Sydney Opera House, Australian Opera and ballet Orchestra & the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. Alex also organises the tutorial program for our school, through her business, Music Partnership.
PERFORMING BAND CONDUCTOR: Mr Phil Molloy
Phil Molloy is a qualified music teacher with considerable experience teaching primary school music programs including bands, choirs, musicals, and K-6 class music. After completing his Bachelor of Music Education at the Sydney Conservatorium, Phil taught in a number of Sydney primary schools before moving to England where he spent 4 years teaching music in London. Now back in Australia, Phil runs Directions In Music and is busy conducting more than 12 different primary school bands. He is involved in many school music festivals throughout the year and also co-ordinates the Ignite project for the Music Council of Australia, which provides disadvantaged schools with musical opportunities.
Opportunities exist for children to play flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, euphoniums, tubas, French horns, keyboards, bass guitar and percussion.
Children are invited to join our band program from year 3. All band members are required to attend musical tutorials (lessons) to learn their instrument, as well as band rehearsals each week.
We structure our bands into 3 groups:
Training Band is for children in their first year of playing an instrument, and is conducted by Alex Bieri.
Concert Band is also conducted by Alex Bieri and is for children in their second year of playing their instrument.
Performing Band is WPS's senior band, and is conducted by Phil Molloy. The children in this band have been playing their instruments for more than 2 years.
Performance opportunities through out the year include: Training Band workshop; Band camp; Yamaha Festival and Uni NSW Band Festival; Spring Festival; as well as various other school concerts during the year.
Band Camp is undoubtedly the highlight of the year for many children in the Concert and Performing Bands.
BAND CONTACT
|
POSITION |
NAME |
PHONE |
EMAIL |
|
Band Convenor |
Lynn Donohue (Wajzer) |
0422 051 173 |
|
|
Band Convenors Assistants |
Catherine O'Mahoney Theresa Ukrainetz |
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