Rockheights Music News
Scroll down to see all the concert and event dates for the 2024 2025 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!
Term 1 Assignments are due on Monday, November 18th at 4pm, including playing tests and theory assignments. Students have received these assignments and details in class, and you can also find them on the Assignments page of this website. Any assignments which are not completed by Wednesday afternoon will need to be completed on CC afternoon, which is Thursday, November 21st.
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Rockheights Choir to perform at the Esquimalt Celebration of Lights, 5-7pm, Sunday, December 1st outside Archie Browning Rec' Centre
The choir performs on the first Sunday of each year at the Esquimalt Celebration of Lights. This is a super fun, family-oriented event that includes the light-up parade, and an incredible on-stage performance by Ms. Maureen Washington, who is a highly-acclaimed local singer. Our choir contributes to this event by singing two songs on our own (this year it's "Frosty and Friends" and "Fix You"), then we join Maureen by singing and dancing along to her set of holiday faves. The show ends with us back on stage for "Silent Night" to close the evening. Because this is extra-curricular, it is not mandatory to attend, however it's important that as many students as possible come out to sing. It's a great event, and they'll get treats, too! Scroll down to read the letter about this event. |
Rockheights Music Winter Concert, 7pm Wednesday, December 11 in the Gym
Every student in band, strings and choir will be performing in this first concert of the school year. Every student in the program wears a red Rockheights Music t-shirt when we perform. Details about the concert and information about how to acquire a t-shirt have been sent home (on Nov 6th). If you haven't seen it - scroll down to view the letter. Thank you!
Every student in band, strings and choir will be performing in this first concert of the school year. Every student in the program wears a red Rockheights Music t-shirt when we perform. Details about the concert and information about how to acquire a t-shirt have been sent home (on Nov 6th). If you haven't seen it - scroll down to view the letter. Thank you!
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Registration is open for Musical Discoveries Pro D Day Camp, UVIC, Jan 24-26 (not overnight)
Musical Discoveries is a day camp designed specifically for middle school students in Greater Victoria School District. Students choose from a variety of course offerings including band, choir, strings and more! This is a hugely popular camp in our district and it fills up quickly. Read the letter below for more information and instructions for registration. Com |
2024 2025 Timetable
We are nearly certain that this will be the music program's timetable for this year. There are many moving parts to a school timetable. It takes time, at the start of each year, for things to settle. We should know for certain by the end of this week if these class times will work. There will not be any more classes moving out or into the 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.
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 THIS YEAR (2024 2025)?
September
Tuesday, September 3 to Friday, September 6th - music program information sessions (in classes) and grade assemblies
Monday, September 9th - music classes begin with an assembly for ALL GRADE 6's in block 4
Wednesday, September 19th, 4:30 - 6:30pm - Meet the Teacher Night and Instrument Rental Night
Tuesday, September 24 3:00-4:30pm First Lesson for trumpets, trombones, baritones and euphoniums and flutes
Wednesday, September 25 3:00-4:30pm First Lesson for percussion
(bass guitars, clarinets and alto saxes will have their first lesson on one of these two dates - TBA soon!)
November
Friday, November 8 - 10:30am Remembrance Day Assembly - Choir and Intermediate Strings to perform.
December
Sunday, December 1, call time 5:00pm - choir performance at the Esquimalt Celebration of Lights
Wednesday, December 11, 7pm - all ensembles perform at the Winter Concert. Uniform required.
January
6:30pm, Wednesday, January 8th Parent Meeting about Spring Fundraiser Event
Friday, January 24 - Sunday, January 26 Musical Discoveries music day-camp at UVIC
March
Monday, March 3 to Thursday, March 6 - choir will perform on one of these nights at Victoria Sings Choral Festival
Wednesday, March 12, all day - grade 7 & 8 concert tour of Vic West and Macaulay. Uniform required.
April
Friday, April 11 7pm Music Fundraiser Event. Students choose what to wear.
May
Thursday, May 1, during the afternoon, Grade 6 Beginning Band Festival
7pm, Wednesday, May 28 Final Concert for Concert Bands and Jazz Band. Uniform required.
June
7pm, Wednesday, June 4, 7pm Final Concert for Choir and Strings. Uniform required.
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Jazz Band students: Come out and jam on Saturdays!
U-JAM is a local organization that mentors jazz musicians of any age, and advocates for quality jazz education. They offer two main programs: a Saturday afternoon jam session; and a one-week summer camp. Students should have at least one year of experience playing their instrument, and a desire to learn more about jazz improvisation. The instructors are some of the city's finest jazz musicians and educators, including public school music teachers. They work with anyone who attends to guide them towards creative jazz improvising, stylish 'comping, and more! Students also get a chance to perform locally, for example at Hermann's Jazz Club. It is fantastically fun and an exceptional value! Contact Ms. McDonell, or [email protected] for more info. |
Letters and Forms
Here you'll find a copy of any letter that has 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 also up-to-date with the main office.
Check back here for 2024 2025 Letters and Forms
Check back here for 2024 2025 Letters and Forms
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]
