Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Concert Band

Region: Metro South and West Metropolitan North | Penrith
Years 4 to 12
Local arts program Public schools Music
Tags: Brass, 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.


Concert band

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

Workshop dates

The workshop dates for the program are:

  • Saturday 1 June (Term 2 Week 5) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
  • Tuesday 18 June (Term 2 Week 8) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
  • Tuesday 30 July (Term 3 Week 2) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
  • Tuesday 6 August (Term 3 Week 3) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
  • Tuesday 13 August (Term 3 Week 4) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
  • Saturday 17 August (Term 3 Week 4) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School

 

Performance dates

The performance dates for the program are:

  • Tuesday 20 August (Term 3 Week 5) – Arts North West Choral Festival – Cawndilla Concert, The Concourse Chatswood, times TBC
  • Sunday 25 August (Term 3 Week 5) NSW State Band Championships, The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre Penrith, times TBC

Students will need to commit to all workshop and performance dates to participate in this program. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the ensemble director for students who have examinations which fall on the day of a workshop.

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 an online nomination form to participate in this program. As part of this form students will be required to submit a video audition.

Nominations will close on Friday 24th May 2024 (Term 2 Week 4).

As part of the nomination process, students must submit a parent / caregiver permission form and publicity form. Please note, these forms are in addition to the online nomination form.

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

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.

Contact

For more information, please contact Richard Sandham, Ensemble Coordinator and Conductor or Peter Hayward, Arts Coordination Officer.