Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Recorder Ensemble
Students from NSW public schools in Years 5 to 12 are invited to apply for the new Recorder Ensemble as part of the Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Instrumental Music Program.
The recorder is an accessible and beautiful instrument which can be used as a springboard to music literacy and a foundational instrument for all other woodwind instruments such as flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and saxophone.
Music education aids a sense of well-being. It enhances emotional and cognitive development and encourages socialisation and creativity.
Playing the recorder requires the learner to perform, listen and compose. This program will extend exisiting recorder players and introduce all the concepts of music including pitch, beat, rhythm, tempo, structure, tone colour and dynamics as well as music reading skills to beginners.
On this page
Nomination process
Applications are now open. Students must complete the Greater Western Sydney Recorder Ensemble application form to participate in this program.
Applications close Friday 8 May 2026 (Term 2 Week 2). Students will be notified of their acceptance by Friday 15 May 2026 (Term 2 Week 3).
Eligibility
The program is open to any students currently enrolled in Years 5 to 9 at a NSW Public School who would like to play one of the following instruments:
- bass recorder
- tenor recorder
- alto/treble recorder
- soprano recorder.
The ensemble is aimed at both students who are absolute beginners to highly accomplished musicians.
Instrument loan
No experience is necessary and students who do not own an appropriate instrument will be provided with an instrument on loan for the duration of the workshop program. Students will be offered an option to continue with the loan should the student wish to continue on the instrument. This may be an opportunitiy for exisiting recorder musicians to extend their knowledge on a new instrument if they wish.
Please note, this program is open to public school students from anywhere in NSW, not just in the Metropolitan North, South and West areas.
Cost
There is a participation fee of $100 (GST inclusive) to participate in the 2026 Greater Western Sydney Recorder Ensemble. This fee includes the loan of an instrument (Bass and Tenor recorders only), provision of all music and equipment, access to expert tutorial staff.
This fee will be payable via The Arts Unit's student payment portal on acceptance into the ensemble.
Students are encouraged to approach their school for financial assistance if required.
In addition, an ensemble performance shirt will be required to be purchased by each participating student if they do not already own one from the GWS Public Schools Instrumental Music Program.
2026 workshops and performances
Workshops are from 8:30 am to 2:45 pm at Penrith Selective High School.
- Monday 3 August (Term 3 Week 3)
- Monday 10 August (Term 3 Week 4)
- Monday 21 September (Term 3 Week 10)
- Monday 26 October (Term 4 Week 3)
Performances
- Wednesday 12 August (Term 3 Week 4) | Sydney NorthWest Music Festival, The Concourse, Chatswood
- Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 September (Term 3 Week 10) | Festival of Instrumental Music
- Saturday 31 October (Term 4 Week 3) | GWSPS IMP End of Year Concert, Penrith Selective High School
All Arts Unit programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in the Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Recorder Ensemble, please email [email protected] so that we can assist.
