Music

Instrumental ensembles

Weekly music ensembles foster advanced musical skills, while seasonal state ensembles gather for intensive sessions leading up to festival performances. Expert tutors enrich the experience for all participating students.

These instrumental ensembles are available to NSW public school students, with both audition-based and open programs ensuring music is accessible to everyone.

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Programs

Regional and rural NSW

Bandlink

Program Music
Years 3 to 12
A series of workshops consisting of large concert band and smaller tutorial sessions, led by professional tutors and experienced conductors.
Newcastle

Bandlink Newcastle

Program Music
Years 4 to 11
A 2 day workshop providing students the opportunity to play in a large ensemble under the guidance of professional conductors and musicians.
Tamworth

CAPERS

Program Dance Drama Music Visual arts
Kindergarten to Year 12
CAPERS is an arena-style production. The Tamworth Entertainment Centre comes alive with art displays, music, dance and drama performances.

Compass Music Festival Orchestra – Central West

Program Music
Years 5 to 12
An exciting opportunity for high-potential and gifted music NSW public schools students in Years 5 to 12 to perform in a touring orchestra.
Penrith/Emu Plains

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Beginner Band

Program Music
Years 5 to 9
For students who have no experience in playing a concert band instrument to have a 'taster' of what playing an instrument in a concert band is like.
Penrith

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Big Band

Program Music
Years 5 to 12
An opportunity for talented musicians to play as part of a big band. The band rehearse weekly and perform at local, regional and state events.
Penrith

Greater Western Sydney Concert Band

Program Music
Years 4 to 12
An ensemble program which aims to provide high-quality opportunities for musical performance at local, regional and state events.

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Recorder Ensemble

Program Music
Years 5 to 12
This program will introduce all the concepts of music including pitch, beat, rhythm, tempo, structure, tone colour and dynamics as well as music reading skills through the recorder.
Penrith

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools String Ensemble

Program Music
Years 4 to 12
Students in the ensemble participate in a series of workshops and rehearsals culminating in a performance.
Penrith

Greater Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Program Music
Years 4 to 12
Students in the ensemble participate in a series of workshops and rehearsals culminating in a performance.
Newcastle

Hunter Ensembles Showcase

Program Music Visual arts
Years 4 to 12
A showcase concert of the amazing talents of our students from Hunter instrumental and vocal ensembles, as well as student artworks.
Newcastle

Hunter Wind Ensemble

Program Music
Years 5 to 12
The ensemble provides an engaging and supportive environment for talented musicians to develop their musical skills and perform wind band repertoire.
South Coast

ISER Performing Ensemble

Program Dance Music
Years 7 to 11
Tour in a musical variety show for schools and community groups.
Lewisham (The Arts Unit)

Instrumental and vocal ensembles staff applications

Program Music
Music teachers
The Arts Unit invites music specialists to be tutors, conductors, accompanists or directors for weekly music ensembles.

North Coast Festival Orchestra

Program Music
Years 5 to 12
An exciting opportunity for high-potential and gifted music NSW public schools students in Years 5 to 12 to perform in a touring orchestra.
Bonville

North Coast Music Camp

Program Music
Years 5 to 12
A 3-night intensive camp for vocalists and instrumentalists to participate in a main ensemble, choir and a choice of music electives, as well as recreational activities coordinated by the camp staff. 

NSW Public Schools Jazz Orchestra

Program Music
Years 7 to 12 music students
This is one of eight weekly ensembles hosted at The Arts Unit, Lewisham. This is an advanced jazz ensemble.

NSW Public Schools Millennium Marching Band

Program Music
Years 7 to 12
The Millennium Marching Band is a dynamic group with a focus on fun and entertainment. Opportunities exist within the band for instrumentalists, dancers and rhythmic gymnasts.

NSW Public Schools Stage Band

Program Music
Years 5 to 12 music students
This is one of eight weekly ensembles hosted at The Arts Unit, Lewisham. This is an intermediate jazz ensemble.

NSW Public Schools String Sinfonia

Program Music
Years 5 to 12 music students
This is one of eight weekly ensembles hosted at The Arts Unit, Lewisham. This is an intermediate string ensemble.
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Upcoming applications

Pulse Alive logo

Pulse Alive 2027 – showband nominations closing

Sydney Olympic Park
Years 5 to 12 (in 2027)

Nominations closing: Fri 18 Sep 2026

The Pulse Alive team are seeking talented musicians to form the showband for Pulse Alive 2027. The showband will accompany all performance items within the show.
conductor in front of ensemble

Instrumental and vocal ensembles staff 2027 – application

The Arts Unit, Lewisham
Music teachers

Applications closing: Mon 5 Oct 2026, 5 pm

Staff applications for all 2027 instrumental and vocal ensembles are now open to NSW Department of Education teachers, industry professionals and tertiary students.
The Hunter Wind Ensemble performing in a church

Hunter Wind Ensemble – EOI

Broadmeadow
Years 5 to 12
 The Hunter Wind Ensemble is a regional wind band for public school students in Years 5 to 12 in the Regional North Directorate.
The Hunter Wind Ensemble performing in a church

Hunter Wind Ensemble – expression of interest

Broadmeadow
Years 5 to 12

Ongoing application

The Hunter Wind Ensemble is for public school students in Years 5 to 12 providing an engaging and supportive environment for talented musicians to develop their musical skills whil
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Upcoming events

GWS PS Concert Band performing at AACF at the Sydney Town Hall 2022

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Concert Band – workshops

Penrith
Years 4 to 12

All workshops are from 8:30 am to 2:45 pm.

  • Sat 16 May (Term 2 Week 4) 
  • Sat 23 May (Term 2 Week 5)
  • Sat 13 June (Term 2 Week 8)
  • Sat 1 August (Term 3 Week 2)
  • Sat 8 August (Term 3 Week 3)
  • Tue 18 August (Term 3 Week 5) 
  • Sat 17 October (Term 4 Week 1)
  • Sat 24 October (Term 4 Week 2)
GWSPS Big Band performing at the Sydney NorthWest Music Festival

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Big Band – workshops

Penrith
Years 5 to 12

Times: 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Term 2

  • Saturday 16 May (Term 2 Week 4)
  • Saturday 23 May (Term 2 Week 5)
  • Saturday 13 June (Term 2 Week 8)

Term 3

  • Saturday 1 August (Term 3 Week 2)
  • Saturday 8 August (Term 3 Week 3) 
  • Wednesday 19 August (Term 3 Week 5)

Term 4

  • Saturday 17 October (Term 4 Week 1)
  • Saturday 24 October (Term 4 Week 2)
GWS PS String Ensemble Arts Alive Choral Festival Opera House 2023

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools String Ensemble – workshops

Penrith
Years 4 to 12
  • Sun 17 May 2026 (Term 2 Week 4)
  • Sun 14 Jun 2026 (Term 2 Week 8)
  • Wed 17 Jun 2026 (Term 2 Week 9)
  • Sun 2 Aug 2026 (Term 3 Week 2)
  • Sun 9 Aug 2026 (Term 3 Week 3)
  • Sun 20 Sep 2026 (Term 3 Week 9)
  • Sun 18 Oct 2026 (Term 4 Week 1)
  • Sun 25 Oct 2026 (Term 4 Week 2)

Time: 8:30 am to 2:45 pm

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