Band

Our Band Program

Manly Vale Public School has a vibrant and inclusive band program for students in Years 3–6. With Junior, Intermediate and Senior Bands, students can develop their musical skills and progress through the program, with new members welcome to join at any time during these years.

Our bands are led by our talented conductors, Ben Dickson for the Intermediate and Senior Bands and Surrey Hodges for the Junior Band. Our band program is supported by a dedicated parent committee, with leadership from the school and our Band Liaison Teachers: Sarah Birrell for the Intermediate and Senior Bands, and Alisha Tamone for the Junior Band.

Playing in a band gives students the opportunity to experience the joy of music while developing confidence, teamwork, creativity and lasting friendships.

Benefits of playing an instrument

Research shows that learning to play a musical instrument can benefit students in many areas of their development. It can strengthen concentration, memory, coordination and creative thinking, while also helping children build confidence, persistence and self-discipline. Playing as part of a band supports teamwork, communication and a strong sense of belonging as students learn to listen carefully, cooperate with others and work towards a shared goal. Most importantly, it gives children the opportunity to experience the joy of making music while developing skills and friendships that can last a lifetime.

Click on the image below to watch a short video on How playing an instrument benefits your brain.

Band program information

Join our awesome band program

New to the band program?

Students are welcome to join the band at any time during the year. Our main intake happens towards the end of the year, so new members are ready to start the following year. If your child would like to join sooner, please email us at bddickson@gmail.com. We usually recommend that children spend some time working with a tutor before joining. This helps them reach the band’s level first, so they feel confident and comfortable from their very first rehearsal.

If joining during our normal intake, the Band Committee pushes out information and flyers about the Band Program during Terms 3 and 4, and invites students who are interested in joining to come along and learn more. The process begins with a Parent Information Session in the school hall, where families can enjoy a performance by our current Junior Band and watch demonstrations of the different instruments available. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to discover which instrument may be right for them, while parents can learn more about the program and ask any questions they may have.

Following the information session, students who are keen to join the Band Program can register their interest and nominate three preferred instruments using the form below. They will then attend an Instrument Suitability Assessment during school hours with our experienced conductors, Ben and Surrey. During this assessment, the conductors consider a range of factors (including the student’s physical build, mouth and teeth formation, hand size, reach and suitability for producing sound) to determine the instrument on which they are most likely to feel comfortable and succeed.

While a child may have their heart set on a particular instrument, it may not always be the best physical or musical fit for them. This careful assessment process can make a significant difference to a student’s enjoyment, confidence and likelihood of remaining involved in the Band Program over time. While we always do our best to consider each student’s preferences, we encourage families to “hold their preferences lightly” and remain open to an instrument allocation they may not have initially considered.

Once all assessments are complete, families will be notified of the instrument recommended for their child. Wherever possible, we aim to allocate students one of their preferred instruments; however, we must also ensure that each band has a balanced combination of instruments. A successful band needs a variety of woodwind, brass and percussion players, so final allocations consider both each student’s individual suitability and the needs of the band as a whole.

Quick Overall Steps for Joining the Junior Band

1. Attend the Parent Information Session and explore the instruments available.
2. Register your child’s interest and nominate three instrument preferences (form below).
3. Complete an Instrument Suitability Assessment with our conductors.
4. Receive your child’s instrument allocation based on suitability, preferences and the balance of the band.
5. Begin lessons and join the Junior Band!

For further information, please read our Band Information Booklet

Our MVPS School Band Committee Members

President - Beth Fitzgerald
Secretary - Terri Eves
Treasurer - Lauren Kelly

Band Program Director - Ben Dickson

Senior Band Conductor - Ben Dickson
Senior Band Liaison (Teacher) - Sarah Birrell
Senior Band Parent Liaison - Maura Magee

Intermediate Band Conductor - Ben Dickson
Intermediate Band Liaison (Teacher) - Sarah Birrell
Intermediate Band Liaison - Kaisa Nieminen

Junior Band Conductor - Surrey Hodges
Junior Band Liaison (Teacher) - Alisha Tamone
Junior Band Liaison - Megan Cook

Instrument Custodian - Erin Phillips
Band Camp Coordinator - Kaisa Nieminen
Music Librarian - Annette Madden-Booth

All parents are welcome to attend band meetings so please come along to the staffroom on meeting dates. Our next meeting date is Tuesday 9th February at 5:00pm which follows on from our Band Welcome Night! where we invite new parents to attend, be welcomed into the band program and learn about the committee member roles available.

Ben Dickson - Band Director and conductor of Senior and Intermediate Bands

Surrey Hodges - Conductor of Junior Band

Find a tutor

Choosing the right tutor is one of the best things you can do to set your child up for success in Manly Vale Public School’s band program. The first few months of learning an instrument matter a great deal, because this is when habits form. How a student shapes their mouth on the instrument (embouchure), uses their tongue, breathes and produces sound is different for every instrument. When these basics are learnt well from the beginning, progress is faster and more enjoyable. When they’re learnt poorly, they can hold a student back and take a long time to correct.

It can be tempting to ask an older sibling, relative or neighbour who plays to help out. While this may be convenient and cheaper, an experienced tutor knows how to teach the fundamentals properly and spot problems early, before they become habits.

We also encourage families to look for a tutor who understands ensemble playing. In band, students need to learn their own part, follow a conductor, count carefully and listen to the players around them. A tutor who supports these skills helps your child feel confident in rehearsals and contribute fully to the group. Gaps in these areas often become noticeable once the whole band is playing together.

If you would like help finding a suitable tutor, please contact Ben Dickson at (email TBC),

A list of recommended tutors is available below.

Current Band Events and Performances Calendar

We aim to update the calendar as often as possible, but please always check in with your Band Parent Liaison for up-to-date information. Use the slide under the calendar to see times and arrival times

Band Newsletters

Stay up to date with everything happening in our school band! Our newsletters share upcoming performances, rehearsal changes, important dates, and highlights from recent events. They’re also where we celebrate our students’ achievements and share news about tutoring, uniforms, and band trips.

Newsletters are sent home sporadically, when required, and can also be found below.

Band Meeting Minutes

Our latest Band Meeting Minutes are included below. They share an update on what’s happening across the band program and the ideas and plans discussed at our recent meeting. Thank you to all the families and volunteers who continue to support our bands and help them thrive.

Join our Tutor List

Are you a music tutor looking for new students? We keep a list of local tutors to share with families whose children are joining or already playing in our band. If you’d like to be included, please complete the form below.

All tutors must hold a current Working With Children Check. Please note that lessons are arranged privately between tutors and families. The school provides this list as a resource only and doesn’t employ or endorse individual tutors.

Fill out the form below to join our Band Tutor List!