Rockheights Music News
Grade 7 & 8 Field Trip Permission Forms and Deposits due: Fri, Feb 6
A gentle reminder to families of grade 7 & 8 music students that the deadline to opt into participating in the Overnight Trip to Vancouver, April 9 and 10, is this Friday, February 6th. Please see the letter below for more details.
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]
