Rockheights Music News
Big Congratulations on the Winter Concert, Wednesday, December 10!
Everyone performed so, so well. Big thank you to our wonderful piano accompanist, Cheryl Dennett; and trumpeter Marc Micu for providing some support for our trumpet section! Also, very big thanks to Principal Aaron Maxwell for being our MC and such a huge supporter of the program.
Please scroll down, or visit the Events page of this website, for information about upcoming concerts and events. Have a wonderful Winter Break, everyone!
Everyone performed so, so well. Big thank you to our wonderful piano accompanist, Cheryl Dennett; and trumpeter Marc Micu for providing some support for our trumpet section! Also, very big thanks to Principal Aaron Maxwell for being our MC and such a huge supporter of the program.
Please scroll down, or visit the Events page of this website, for information about upcoming concerts and events. Have a wonderful Winter Break, everyone!
Grade 7 & 8 Parent Meeting, now POSTPONED to 6:30pm, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
There will be an information meeting held at 6:30pm on Wednesday, January 21 in the Music Room for any parents of grade 7 and 8 band, strings and choir students to discuss the proposed trip to Vancouver, happening on April 9th and 10th. It is not mandatory to attend the meeting, nor is it necessary to attend in order to participate. This is an opportunity for parents to hear more about the trip that is being planned, ask questions and provide feedback. Please join us if you are able to. Students are welcome to attend as well, but they will have their own meeting at a later date, too. The meeting will not be available online, however any information which is discussed will be summarized on the Field Trips page of this website after the meeting.
Registration Open for Music Discoveries Jan 23 - 25, UVIC
Registration is now open for Music Discoveries! Music Discoveries is a three-day music camp designed specifically for middle-school aged students in Victoria. The camp is run entirely by University of Victoria Bachelor of Music Education students, and local Victoria Music Educators. Costs are kept to a minimum, thanks to the UVIC students generously donating their time to work with our students! Each year, several students from Rockheights attend Musical Discoveries, and they always progress so much on their instruments and voices, and they have a great time. If you are interested, please download the registration form below and visit their website.
Registration is now open for Music Discoveries! Music Discoveries is a three-day music camp designed specifically for middle-school aged students in Victoria. The camp is run entirely by University of Victoria Bachelor of Music Education students, and local Victoria Music Educators. Costs are kept to a minimum, thanks to the UVIC students generously donating their time to work with our students! Each year, several students from Rockheights attend Musical Discoveries, and they always progress so much on their instruments and voices, and they have a great time. If you are interested, please download the registration form below and visit their website.
2025 2026 Timetable
When do classes meet?
For newcomers, please note that our program is on a "pull-out enrichment" model, which means that you leave your regular classroom to participate in band, strings or choir. Jazz Band is the only class which meets after school, on Thursdays, until 3:47pm.
It's very important that students bring their instrument and music to every class.
Grown-ups, please support your young musician by setting a reminder alarm to tell them to take it to school.
For newcomers, please note that our program is on a "pull-out enrichment" model, which means that you leave your regular classroom to participate in band, strings or choir. Jazz Band is the only class which meets after school, on Thursdays, until 3:47pm.
It's very important that students bring their instrument and music to every class.
Grown-ups, please support your young musician by setting a reminder alarm to tell them to take it to school.
2025 2026 School Year Major Events
September
Tuesday, September 2 to Friday, September 5th - music program information sessions (in classes) and grade assemblies.
Monday, September 8th - music classes begin with an assembly for ALL GRADE 6's in block 5
Thursday, September 18th, 4:30 - 6:30pm - Meet the Teacher Night and Instrument Rental Night
First Lessons for Beginning Band 6 Students will be during the week of Sept 23-26:
Flutes, Tuesday, September 23 3-4pm (after school), Music Room
Clarinets, Wednesday, September 24 3-4pm (after school), Music Room
Saxophones, Friday, September 26 3-4pm (after school), Music Room
Trumpets, Tuesday, September 23 12:10-12:58 (lunch), Music Room
Trombones, Wednesday, September 24 12:10-12:58 (lunch), Music Room
Baritone / Euphonium / Tuba, Thursday, September 25 12:10-12:58 (lunch) Music Room
Bass Guitar, Friday, September 26 12:10-12:58 (lunch) Music Room
Percussion, Friday, September 26 3-4pm (after school) Music Room
November
Monday, November 10th, time TBA Remembrance Day Assembly - ensembles TBA to perform. CANCELLED due to Ms. McDonell's illness
December
Sunday, December 7, call time 5:00pm - choir performance at the Esquimalt Celebration of Lights
Wednesday, December 10, 7pm - all ensembles perform at the Winter Concert. Uniform required.
January
6:30pm, Wednesday, January 7th Parent Meeting about Spring overnight field trip.
Friday, January 23 - Sunday, January 25 Musical Discoveries music day-camp at UVIC
March
Wednesday, March 11, all day - Concert Tour of Vic West and Macaulay. Uniform required. (Band 7 & 8, Choir 6, 7, and 8, Intermediate Strings 6, 7, & 8 and Jazz Band)
April
Thursday, April 9, Friday, April 10 all day proposed overnight field trip to Vancouver for grade 7s & 8s
May
Date TBA SD61 District Strings Finale Concert at UVIC in the CARSA Gym. Strings students optional to attend. Uniform required.
7pm, Wednesday, May 27 Final Concert for Concert Bands and Jazz Band. Uniform required.
June
7pm, Wednesday, June 3, 7pm Final Concert for Choir and Strings. Uniform required.
Past Letters and Forms
Here you'll find a copy of any letter that has previously gone home to families. Students receive paper copies in class, as well. Email notices will not be repeated here. Please make sure your email addresses are up-to-date with the main office.
Risa McDonell, Music Teacher
I'm proud to be the Music Teacher at Rockheights Middle School, since 2019. For 15 years, I taught band, jazz band, and more in North Vancouver secondary schools and played flute for the West Coast Symphony Orchestra. During my time in North Vancouver, I was very lucky to conduct three major musical theatre productions, to be a part of the team who created a Canadian-Japanese sister school exchange program, and to take bands to perform in New York, Chicago, New Orleans, San Diego, Tokyo, The Vancouver International Jazz Festival, The Canadian Rocky Mountain Music Festival in Banff, and Musicfest Canada Nationals. A few years ago, I returned home to Victoria to raise my daughter near my family. I'm privileged to play flute and piccolo for the Meridiem Wind Orchestra here in Victoria. It's been a blast to make musical memories at Rockheights and I'm looking forward to more!
Contact
Risa McDonell, Music Teacher
Rockheights Middle School Music Program
1250 Highrock Avenue, Esquimalt, BC V9A 4V7
(250) 384-7125
[email protected]
Rockheights Middle School Music Program
1250 Highrock Avenue, Esquimalt, BC V9A 4V7
(250) 384-7125
[email protected]
