St Ives Primary School Instrumental Program
ABOUT THE ST IVES PRIMARY SCHOOL BAND PROGRAM
All students from Years 3-6 are invited to play a band instrument and join the school band.
THE BENEFITS OF PLAYING AN INSTRUMENT
All children have the potential to learn an instrument and enjoy the enormous benefits this brings. Studies have shown that children who learn music are advantaged academically, physically and emotionally.
- It improves brain function
- It helps develop self-confidence
- Requires teamwork
- It enhances focus and teaches discipline
- It improves emotional wellbeing
- It improves social skills
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
● Three concert bands - Junior Band, Senior Band and Advanced Creative Ensemble (ACE)
● Musical experiences based on a concert band format for students in Years
3 to 6 (no previous musical experience is required)
● Regular performance opportunities at school and around the local
community
● Annual Band Camp
● Weekly band lessons
● One-on-one on site, in-home or local in studio private and pair lessons
● “Special Event” rehearsals once a term designed to maintain interest and
enhance commitment and learning: Tutors Concert, Sectional Showdown,
Solo Performance Afternoon, Year 6 Rules Rehearsal & End of Year
Concert.
Our SIPS Bands
Junior Band - 1st year instrumentalists
2025 Junior Band Fees
Band Fees
Annual Registration Fee : $66
Band Program Term Payment: $132 per term
INCLUSIONS
∗ weekly band rehearsal on Tuesdays 3.00-3.50pm
∗ Band satchel
∗ Band folder
∗ Essential Elements Book 1
∗ Sheet Music
∗ Pencil
∗ Concert Blue t-shirt
∗ all performances
Rehearsal Schedule
Band Rehearsal: Tuesdays 3pm– 3.50pm
Private Lesson: Weekly time set with your tutor
Private lessons can be with your own choice of Tutor or with a MusicLinks Tutor. MusicLinks lessons can take place on-site at SIPS, in local studios or in your home depending on availability. 2025 MusicLinks lesson fees are:
MusicLinks Private lessons Term Payment:
* $486 per term (half hour lessons)
MusicLinks Pair lessons Term Payment:
* $360 per student per term (available if there are 2 students on same instrument)
*please note- MusicLinks lessons onsite at SIPS are in high demand so please get in early as they will be offered on a first in basis. Priority is given to Concert Blue students.
BAND CAMP: (camp fees advised in Term 2, 2025)
- A combination of band rehearsals, sectionals and outdoor activities culminating in a “Show All” concert at the end of Day 2.
- Non-residential for Years 3 & 4 students.
Senior Band- 2nd, 3rd & 4th year instrumentalists
2025 Senior Band Fees
Band Fees
Annual Registration Fee: $25
Band Program Term Payment: $242 per term
INCLUSIONS
∗ Weekly band rehearsal
∗ Weekly sectional rehearsal
∗ all performances
∗ Band folder
∗ Sheet Music
∗ Pencil
∗ Concert Gold t-shirt
∗ Afternoon tea
Rehearsal Schedule
Band-Tuesdays 3.00pm - 4.30pm:
Sectionals: 3.00pm - 3.40pm
Afternoon Tea: 3.40pm - 3.50pm
Band Rehearsal: 3.50pm - 4.30pm
Private lessons can be with your own choice of Tutor or with a MusicLinks Tutor. MusicLinks lessons can take place on-site at SIPS, in local studios or in your home depending on availability. 2025 MusicLinks lesson fees are:
MusicLinks Private lessons Term Payment:
* $486 per term (half hour lessons)
MusicLinks Pair lessons Term Payment:
* $360 per term (available if there are 2 students on same instrument)
*please note- MusicLinks lessons onsite at SIPS are in high demand so please get in early as they will be offered on a first in basis. Priority is given to Concert Blue students.
BAND CAMP: (camp fees advised in Term 2, 2025)
- A combination of band rehearsals, sectionals and outdoor activities culminating in a “Show All” concert at the end of Day 2.
- Non-residential for Years 3 & 4 students.
Advanced Creative Ensemble (ACE) 3rd & 4th year instrumentalists (ACE students are also in Senior Band but pay the ACE fees only)
2025 ACE Fees
Band Fees
Annual Registration Fee: $25
Band Program Term Payment: $469 per term
(Private lessons are encouraged however not compulsory)
INCLUSIONS
* Weekly Senior Band rehearsal
* Weekly sectional rehearsal
* Weekly ACE session
* Band folder
* Sheet Music
* Pencil
* Senior Musician t-shirt
* Afternoon tea
* all performances
Rehearsal Schedule
Band-Tuesdays 3.00pm – 5.15pm:
Musicianship: 3.00pm - 3.40pm
Afternoon Tea: 3.40pm - 3.50pm
Sectionals: 3.50pm - 4.30pm
Band Rehearsal: 4.30pm - 5.10pm
BAND CAMP: (camp fees advised in Term 2, 2025)
- A combination of band rehearsals, sectionals and outdoor activities culminating in a “Show All” concert at the end of Day 2.
- residential for Years 5 & 6 students.
Instrument Hire
Click here to find out more about instrument hire
Instrument purchase
Cost is dependant on the instrument and whether new or pre-owned.
The following is general advice in respect of purchasing an instrument:
• Shop around – prices vary substantially.
• Ensure you are purchasing a trusted/failsafe brand. Cheaper brands often result in constant repair costs, are difficult to play and worst of all – are out of tune! Also, the more well-known brands, specifically Yamaha and Jupiter and Pearl, have much better re-sale value.
Percussion Mallet pack (percussionists only)
$169 - View here
WHICH INSTRUMENTS ARE IN THE SIPS CONCERT BAND?
Flute
The flute is the highest member of the woodwind family. The initial stages of learning the flute can be quite challenging compared to other instruments however once this hurdle is achieved it is a very enjoyable instrument. Flautists often play the melody line in concert bands.
Tenor Saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a larger and lower instrument than the alto saxophone and requires a larger hand stretch.
Clarinet
The clarinet is a woodwind instrument. The clarinet is much needed in a concert band and most bands have many more clarinets than other instruments. It is relatively easy to get started on and enjoys some great melodic parts.
Bass Guitar
Bass Guitar is quite an easy instrument to learn and provides a great support to the bass line of the ensemble.
Alto Saxophone
The alto saxophone is a relatively easy instrument to progress quickly on.It is played in both concert bands and jazz bands. It is also a woodwind instrument.
Trumpet
The trumpet is the highest instrument in the brass family. It provides a wonderfully strong and vibrant melody line in many concert band ensembles.
Euphonium/Baritone
The Baritone is essentially just a more compact version of the Euphonium, which sounds a little closer to a trombone.
The Euphonium is for most students, the easiest brass instrument to play. It’s sound is deep, rich and warm.
French Horn
The French horn, a brass instrument with a flared bell and coiled tubing, produces a warm, majestic sound, and it's a wonderful choice for your child's musical journey, offering a unique and rewarding playing experience in orchestras and ensembles.
Trombone
Trombone is a wonderful instrument to learn. It provides a strong bass line for the band and is lots of fun.
Tuba
Tuba is the lowest member of the brass family and is a very important part of the concert band. It is lots of fun to play and relatively easy despite its size.
Percussion
Percussionist learn to play many instruments including;
Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Timpani, Cymbals, Auxiliary Percussion (Triangle, Tambourine etc) and Drum Kit. Good Percussionist also learn Mallet Percussion (Xylophone, Glockenspiel etc)
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
It's as easy as 1 2 3.............
- Decide which instrument you would like to play:
- have a look at this clip which introduces all the band instruments and decide which one excites you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR3w3S5-7Zo&t=4m34s
2. Enrol via our website:
3. Receive confirmation from MusicLinks via email which will include helpful information about acquiring an instrument ready for your first lesson.
If you have any questions about the program, our tutors, lessons, instruments or band please call or email our office via the details below. We are happy to answer all your questions and set you on the right path.
