About Our Program

Who we are

The Bay View High School Music Program is a community of musicians dedicated to achieving our best. We come together to create excellent music, improve our skills, and grow as both artists and people. Our goal is to have fun while building a lasting appreciation for the arts.

What we do

As a music program, we have a focus on performing, both inside and outside our school, as well as cultivating a sense of community between our music students. 

Music students at Bay View get access to many opportunities throughout the year, including:  

• A full roster of music courses, both in instrumental band and beginner guitar. 

• Extra curricular ensembles, including after-school band, jazz ensemble, and vocal ensemble, that are open to everyone! 

• Several performance opportunities thorughout the year including four concerts/coffeehouses at the school, and performances in the community. 

• A major musical production each fall, which brings together orchestra, acting, singing, backstage crew, technology, and more. Past productions include Cinderella, Legally Blonde, and The Little Mermaid. 

• A music program trip each spring, where students perform, work on their musicianship, and get to experience a new place as a visitor. Past trips have included Montreal (2026) Cape Breton, NS (2025), and Wolfville, NS (2024). 

• And so much more! 

Why music? 

There are many benefits to making music, from social development to creative expression. It enhances cognitive abilities such as problem-solving and sustained focus. Students learn essential life skills, including teamwork, discipline, and efficient time management. Music also serves as a valuable outlet for creativity and self-expression, giving students confidence and providing a constructive means for stress reduction. Above all, music is a joy-filled pursuit! 

Luke Henderson is a music teacher based in Halifax, NS. He currently teaches at Bay View High School in Tantallon, NS, where he instructs band and guitar classes, runs extracurricular band, jazz, and vocal groups, and is the music director for the school's annual musical theatre production. 

Luke graduated from Acadia University with degrees in both Music (BMus) and Education (MEd, BEd). As a conductor, Luke studied with Dr. Mark Hopkins of Acadia University and was also a conducting apprentice with the Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra in 2021. 

As a trumpet player, Luke plays lead trumpet for the Tuesday Night Big Band (based in Dartmouth, NS), and also plays in several community musical theatre productions, including shows with Quick as a Wink Theatre Society, Stage Prophets, Horton Hight School, King's-Edgehill School, and Northeast Kings Education Centre.