At NBSC Balgowlah Boys Campus, we offer a comprehensive Band Program that caters for instrumentalists of all skill levels and tastes. The school bands are involved in performances at school assemblies, awards days and showcases, as well as external eisteddfods and festivals. The program assists students in reaching their musical goals, whilst refining their ensemble skills by having access to highly experienced teachers and conductors. We offer two comprehensive programs that are available to all students – the Concert Band Program and the Jazz Program.
The offered bands and their rehearsal times are:
Concert Band Program:
Junior Concert Band (Year 7 – 8, all welcome) – Friday, 7:30am in the School Hall
Senior Concert Band (Year 9 – 12, all welcome) – Tuesday, 7:30am in the School Hall
Guitar Club (all years, all welcome) – Tuesday lunchtime in DEM6
Jazz Program
Junior Improvisation (for students new to improvisation) – Wednesday, 7:30am in DS7
Senior Improvisation (for students with experience improvising) – Friday, 7:30am in DS7
Stage Band (all years, auditioned) – Thursday, 7:30am in the School Hall
Jazz Orchestra (all years, auditioned) – Monday, 8am in the School Hall
Auditions for the 2024 Stage Band and Jazz Orchestra are now open for registration. Please see Ms Stokes in the CAPA Staffroom to sign up for an audition.
The Band Program welcomes musicians of all skill levels and backgrounds and aims to foster the enjoyment of playing music with peers. Here is a short summary of each band.
Junior Concert Band
Junior Concert Band is the perfect transition into the Balgowlah Boys Band Program. Welcoming all students in Year 7 and Year 8, Junior Concert Band performs a range of repertoire derived from Rock, Pop and contemporary styles. The band is led by Music Teacher Ms Eva Stokes.
Senior Concert Band
The Senior Concert Band is the most advanced ensemble in the Concert Band program. Open to students from all year groups, the Senior Concert Band focuses on challenging and enjoyable contemporary repertoire. The ensemble is led by Music Teacher Mr Iain Robertson.
Saxophone Ensemble
Guitar Club
The Guitar Ensemble focuses on refining the technical skills of guitarists at all levels. They work on a range of repertoire from blues and jazz to rock, focusing on skills required to play riffs, improvise and accompany. The Guitar Ensemble is open to all interested students at all different levels of experience and is run by Music teacher Mr Ben Corby.
Improvisation Groups (Junior and Senior)
The improvisation groups are the perfect starting point for students who want to refine their improvising skills. There is a Junior group for beginner improvisers and a Senior group for more experienced students. The groups are run by professional musician, Damien Mathieson.
Stage Band
Stage Band is the entry point ensemble for students in our Jazz Program. Open for audition to students from all year groups, it introduces students to new styles typical of jazz and blues, while giving them the opportunity to perform in a smaller ensemble. This ensemble is perfect for students wanting to extend their repertoire and knowledge of Jazz. The ensemble is led by ex-Bally boy and Sydney Conservatorium graduate Julian McKay.
Jazz Orchestra
The Jazz Orchestra is the most advanced ensemble in the Jazz Program. Open to audition for students in all year groups, it focuses on developing skills required when playing in Jazz big bands. The ensemble is led by ex-Bally boy and Sydney Conservatorium graduate Julian McKay.