Rockheights Music News
Playing and Singing Evaluations Coming Up
Once or twice each year, students are tasked to perform a short evaluation on their instrument, or voice. These evaluations are so important for setting and achieving goals for practicing, for celebrating progress, and for providing personalized advice about what steps to take in their learning. Students can either record these and send them to me, or they can arrange a time to play or sing in person. Detailed information about these assignments are posted to the Practice Tracks and Assignments pages of this website.
Once or twice each year, students are tasked to perform a short evaluation on their instrument, or voice. These evaluations are so important for setting and achieving goals for practicing, for celebrating progress, and for providing personalized advice about what steps to take in their learning. Students can either record these and send them to me, or they can arrange a time to play or sing in person. Detailed information about these assignments are posted to the Practice Tracks and Assignments pages of this website.
Vancouver Trip (April 9 & 10) Updates
Happy to report that 59 students signed up for this field trip, which is enough for us to continue with the planning! Participating families have now received a package of forms about their child's roommate requests, dietary info, health concerns, and more to complete before Spring Break, please. After Spring Break, participating families will receive a final package with a suggested packing list, itinerary, names of roommates, emergency contact info' and final itinerary. For all information about this trip, see the field trip page of this website.
Happy to report that 59 students signed up for this field trip, which is enough for us to continue with the planning! Participating families have now received a package of forms about their child's roommate requests, dietary info, health concerns, and more to complete before Spring Break, please. After Spring Break, participating families will receive a final package with a suggested packing list, itinerary, names of roommates, emergency contact info' and final itinerary. For all information about this trip, see the field trip page of this website.
The field trip to the elementary schools, March 11th, sadly must be cancelled. This trip is the highlight of our year. Please understand that this decision was made after very careful consideration. I have to take a medical leave starting on March 5th and returning after Spring Break. My TOC will be Marc Micu, who was the trumpeter who sat in with the Jazz Band in our December concert, so all classes will be on and awesome while I'm away. (The trip to Vancouver will go forward regardless of the medical leave.)
Welcome, Victoria Symphony
We are so grateful to the Victoria Symphony for sending their very fine musicians to come to Rockheights this term for performances and clinics. We welcomed a brass quintet led by Ryan Cole to the Band 7 & 8 class, and violinist Kimberley Durflinger, to the strings classes. We learned a lot!
We are so grateful to the Victoria Symphony for sending their very fine musicians to come to Rockheights this term for performances and clinics. We welcomed a brass quintet led by Ryan Cole to the Band 7 & 8 class, and violinist Kimberley Durflinger, to the strings classes. We learned a lot!
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). CANCELLED due to a medical leave.
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]
