Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Instrumental Music Program

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Concert Band

Region: Metro Metro South and West | Penrith
Years 4 to 12
Local arts program Music
Tags: Brass, High potential and gifted (HPGE), Inclusive opportunities, Instrumental ensemble, Music, Percussion, Woodwind

The Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Concert Band is an ensemble program opportunity which aims to extend the skills of musicians in Years 4 to 12 who attend NSW public schools.

This program will take the form of 6 full-day workshops leading to performances at the Concourse, Chatswood as part of the Arts NorthWest Choral Festival, and at the NSW State Band Championships.

Enquiries

Richard Sandham
Ensemble Director and Conductor
Lily Ferres
Arts Coordination Officer
Phone
0460 924 458
Penrith Selective High School

158-240 High St
Penrith NSW 2750
Australia

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2025 workshops

All workshops are from 8:30 am to 2:45 pm at Penrith High School

  • Tuesday 10 June (Term 2 Week 7)
  • Saturday 14 June (Term 2 Week 7)
  • Tuesday 5 August (Term 3 Week 3)
  • Tuesday 12 August (Term 3 Week 4)
  • Saturday 16th August (Term 3 Week 4)
  • Saturday 15 November (Term 4 Week 5)
  • Tuesday 18 November (Term 4 Week 6)

2025 performances

  • Term 2 TBC – Greater Western Sydney Music Festival
  • Term 3, Week 5, Tuesday 19 August – Sydney NorthWest Music Festival (Penrith) Burrendong concert
  • Term 3, Week 5, Sunday 24 August – NSW State Band Championships, Penrith
  • Term 4, Week 6, Sunday 23 November – End of year concert – Penrith

Eligibility

The program is open to any students currently enrolled in Years 4 to 12 at a NSW Public School who play one or more of the following instruments:

  • flute (and/or piccolo)
  • oboe (and/or cor anglais)
  • clarinet (and/or bass clarinet)
  • bassoon
  • saxophone (alto, tenor and/or baritone)
  • trumpet
  • french horn
  • trombone
  • euphonium/baritone
  • tuba
  • drums/percussion (tuned and/or untuned).

The ensemble will be open to students with a wide range of abilities. The tutorial program and music selected will ensure that students of all abilities are appropriately challenged within the ensemble situation.

Please note, this program is open to public school students from anywhere in NSW, not just in the Metropolitan North, South and West areas.

Nomination process

Students must complete the Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Concert Band application form to participate in this program. As part of this form students will be required to submit a video audition.

Audition requirements

Students should film themselves performing:

  • one piece of music that they feel shows their current ability on their instrument to the highest standard
  • two scales of their choice – one major and one harmonic minor.

At the start of the video, the student should introduce themselves and should announce the name and composer of the piece they are playing. Additionally, students should state what scale they are playing before they play it.

All requirements should be in one single video (not separate links for each component). However, if students wish to be considered on more than one instrument, a separate video should be submitted for each instrument which includes all of the components above.

Videos should be uploaded to the internet (preferably as an unlisted YouTube link) and the link copied and pasted into the online application form. Please ensure that you include the password if you choose to password protect your video (not recommended).

Cost

There is a participation fee of $155.00 (GST inclusive) to participate in the 2024 Greater Western Sydney Concert Band program. This fee includes provision of all music and equipment, access to expert tutorial staff and an ensemble performance shirt to be worn at the performance.

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.

Extension opportunity

Some students may be selected from this program to form part of the Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Symphony Orchestra and Greater Western Sydney Big Band. 

Further information will be provided directly to those students selected for these ensembles. 

Please note, selection for this extension opportunity is entirely at the discretion of the ensemble director and the Arts Coordination Officer.

All Arts Unit programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in the Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Concert Band, please email richard.sandham@det.nsw.edu.au so that we can assist.