Rockheights Music News
Scroll down to find a copy of any letter or notice which was sent home.
Gr 7 & 8 Trip to Vancouver, April 10 and 11, 2024
Plans are firming up for the trip to Vancouver, but there are just a couple of pieces to put in place before I can communicate all of the details with you. On our first day back at school, each participating student will receive a package containing:
Plans are firming up for the trip to Vancouver, but there are just a couple of pieces to put in place before I can communicate all of the details with you. On our first day back at school, each participating student will receive a package containing:
- A list of their roommates and our chaperones;
- A receipt for payments you have made and/or invoice for payments owing;
- A Certificate of Parental Authority Form;
- A Student Overnight Accommodation Form (medical and diet info’);
- A Code of Conduct agreement;
- A final itinerary; and
- A suggested packing list.
Vancouver Trip Latest News:
Students will find out who they are rooming with before Spring Break - watch for a notice to come home!
Students will find out who they are rooming with before Spring Break - watch for a notice to come home!
Bottle Drive Fundraiser
An account has been set up for Rockheights families to donate their refundable recyclables at Express Return-It depots! 100% of the proceeds of your bottles and cans will support the 2024 Grade 7 & 8 Field Trip. Please click on the button above to read the instructions. Please note that this service is offered at EXPRESS locations. Many thanks to parents for setting up this easy fundraiser for us!
At the Ellery Street location, use:
Account Number: 261 Name: Rockheights 78 Band
At the Hartland Landfill location, use:
Account Number: 250 882 9463
At the Ellery Street location, use:
Account Number: 261 Name: Rockheights 78 Band
At the Hartland Landfill location, use:
Account Number: 250 882 9463
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 ujamyoungallstars@gmail.com for more info. |
2023 2024 Timetable
When do classes meet?
Here is this year's music timetable! 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 music.
Vic West and Macaulay Strings
Please visit the page on this website, which is dedicated to these programs for more information.
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.
Here is this year's music timetable! 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 music.
Vic West and Macaulay Strings
Please visit the page on this website, which is dedicated to these programs for more information.
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 in the 2023 2024 school year?
September
Tuesday, September 5 to Friday, September 8th - music program information sessions (in classes) and grade assemblies
Monday, September 11th - music classes begin with an assembly for ALL GRADE 6's in block 4
Wednesday, September 13th, 7pm - Meeting for parents about the music program
November
Friday, November 10 - Remembrance Day Assembly - choir and Intermediate and Advanced Strings will perform
December
Sunday, December 3, call time 5:00pm - choir performance at the Esquimalt Celebration of Lights
Wednesday, December 6, 7pm - all ensembles perform at the Winter Concert. Uniform required.
January
Monday, January 17, 7pm - parent meeting about Grade 7 & 8 Spring trip
Friday, January 26 - Sunday, January 28 Music Discoveries at UVIC
March
Wednesday, March 13, all day - grade 7 & 8 concert tour of Vic West and Macaulay. Uniform required.
April
Wednesday, April 10 to Friday, April 12, grade 7 & 8 overnight music tour (location TBA). Uniform required.
May
Thursday, May 2, afternoon time TBA, Grade 6 Beginning Band Festival. Uniform required.
Tuesday, May 7, 7pm District 61 Strings Finale Concert, University of Victoria McKinnon Gym. Middle schools wear uniforms; elementary schools wear white shirts and dark pants / skirts.
Wednesday, May 29, 7pm Band 6, Band 7 & 8, Jazz Band perform in the Spring Finale Concert. Uniform required.
June
Wednesday, June 19, 7pm Choir, Beginning Strings, Intermediate Strings perform in concert with special guests, grade 5 students from Vic West and Macaulay. Wear school spirit wear if you have it, or a white shirt and dark pants / skirts.
Wednesday, June 19, 8pm all woodwind, brass, percussion and strings equipment due for return.
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.
Risa McDonell, Music Teacher
I'm proud to be the Music Teacher at Rockheights Middle School. 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, Vic West and Macaulay, 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
rmcdonell@sd61.bc.ca
Rockheights Middle School Music Program
1250 Highrock Avenue, Esquimalt, BC V9A 4V7
(250) 384-7125
rmcdonell@sd61.bc.ca