Rockheights Music News
Scroll down to see all the concert and event dates for the 2025 2026 school year, or a copy of any notice which was sent home. If you are in grade 6, or new to the school, please check out the Newcomers page of this website!
What's Going On After the Concerts?
After the final concerts, we usually do a few things: have a class party, do music theory review, try new music, prepare instruments and books for return, and tidy and pack up the room for summer cleaning. During this time, there are many other field trips and celebrations happening, which means that students will not attend their music classes every time. Once instruments are returned, on June 13th, we will be doing music filing, cleaning and packing away instruments. Students are welcome to come to the music room during their usual music class times to help with these tasks, but they are not obliged to. Please have a look at the calendar below to see what's happening on any given day.
2024 2025 Timetable
Next year's (2025 2026) timetable will be posted as soon as it is available, which is typically in the first week of September.
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.
What major events are happening NEXT YEAR (2025 2026)?
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
Dates TBA 3:00-4:30pm First Lesson for band instruments
November
Monday, November 10th, time TBA Remembrance Day Assembly - ensembles TBA to perform.
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 13 - Sunday, January 15 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]
