As part of this form students will be required to submit a video audition.

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).

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:

• violin
• viola
• cello
• double bass.

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.

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 nomination form. Please ensure that you include the password if you choose to password protect your video (not reccomended).

There is a participation fee of $155.00 (GST inclusive) to participate in the 2024 Greater Western Sydney Strings Ensemble. 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.

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

Term 2

• Sunday 17 May (Term 2 Week 4)
• Sunday 14 June (Term 2 Week 8)
• Wednesday 17 June (Term 2 Week 9)

Term 3

• Sunday 2 August (Term 3 Week 2)
• Sunday 9 August (Term 3 Week 3)
• Sunday 20 September (Term 3 Week 9)

Term 4

• Sunday 18 October (Term 4 Week 1)
• Sunday 25 October (Term 4 Week 2)

• Greater Western Sydney Music Festival, date TBC

• Term 3, Week 4, Wednesday 12 August – Sydney NorthWest Music Festival, The Concourse, Chatswood
• Term 3, Week 10, Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 September – Festival of Instrumental Music, Sydney Opera House
• Term 4, Week 3, Saturday 31 October – Penrith end of year concert, Penrith Selective High School

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

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.