Overview
The Elementary Band and Strings program is a unique instrumental music program that is distinctive to the North Vancouver School District.
Band and Strings complements the BC Ministry of Education's Arts Education curriculum and provides school-based instrumental ensemble instruction to students in the intermediate grades (Grades 5 - 7 for Band and Grades 4 - 7 for Strings).
One of the finest instrumental programs in British Columbia, Band and Strings offers students a wonderful opportunity to receive instrumental instruction in a group setting, and represents the start of an exciting musical journey that students can follow through to the end of their secondary school years.
As decades of research have conclusively revealed, involvement in a music program can benefit children's academic and social-emotional development, providing an opportunity to develop a child's musicianship and creativity (Hallam, S. 2016). Further, there is a strong correlation indicating that music education promotes social skills, teaches discipline, and elevates confidence for our children.
Additionally, research has shared with us that musical training early in life improves how the brain processes sound, and the benefits of early exposure to music education last well into adulthood, years after the training has ceased. With this, the study of music in an ensemble has been shown to increase the capacity of memory, enhance perseverance, and self-expression.
About the Band Program
Band instruction is open to students in Grades 5-7.
- The Beginning Band Program is available to students in Grades 5-7 who are new to the Band program.
- The Continuing Band Program is offered to students in Grade 6-7 who have played their instrument for at least one year.
The NVSD offers both Beginning and Continuing Band programs at many of our schools. New for the 2025/26 school year! Beginning Band is now offered at Norgate and Larson.
Programs at schools will only run if there is sufficient enrolment by February 28, 2025.
If you have registered for a program which is unable to run
due to low enrolment, you will receive a full refund.
About the Strings Program
Strings instruction is open to students in Grades 4-7.
- The Beginning Strings Program is available to students in Grades 4-7 who are new to the Strings program.
- The Continuing Strings Program is available to students in Grades 5-7 who have played their instrument for at least one year.
The NVSD will be offering a Strings program at Braemar, Canyon Heights, Cleveland, Dorothy Lynas, Highlands, Larson, Montroyal, Ross Road and Sherwood Park.
Programs at schools will only run if there is sufficient enrolment by February 28, 2025. If you have registered for a program which is unable to run due to low enrolment, you will receive a full refund.
Registration and Program Fee
The Elementary Band and Strings program is entirely funded by registration fees. The fees collected covers everything that a school program needs to run successfully. This includes staff salaries, facilities and additional equipment and supplies (not instruments). Registration for Band and Strings is completed through School Cash Online.
- $550: Registration fee from January 13 to February 28, 2025
- $625: Late Registration fee from March 14 to September 29, 2025
During the Registration period, payment for Band and Strings can be made in a single payment or instalments through School Cash Online. If you register in January, your payments from February 1 to September 1 will be approximately $69 per month (8 instalments). If you register in February, your payments from March 1 to September 1 will be approximately $79 per month (7 instalments). The final instalment date is September 1, 2025. The monthly instalment plan is NOT available for Late Registration.
For information on instrument user fees, visit the Instrument Information page.
Withdrawals
All requests for refunds must be done in writing by completing a withdrawal form and submitting it to your child’s school office. 
Band and strings withdrawal form
The withdrawal form must be received by your child's school office on or before the following deadlines:
January 13 to June 13, 2025
| Full refund |
June 14 to September 29, 2025
| Refund minus $75 processing fee |
September 30, 2025 onward
| No refund
|
Questions?
If you have questions or require more information about Elementary Band and Strings, please contact
bandandstring@sd44.ca.
