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
Year 5 to 12
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.

Featured items for state music festivals

Program Music
Kindergarten to Year 12
Performance opportunities for outstanding instrumental and vocal items.
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.
Bonville

North Coast Music Camp

Program Music
Years 5 to 12

North Coast Music Camp is a 3 night intensive camp for vocalists and instrumentalists in Years 5 to 12 from NSW public schools.

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.

NSW Public Schools Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE)

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 wind band.
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Upcoming applications

Marching band performing

NSW Public Schools Millennium Marching Band 2026 – application form

Galston
Years 7 to 12
Application closing date
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. There is a place for everyone with energy, commitment and a willingness to learn.
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

The flute section of an orchestra with a conductor

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Beginner Band – workshops

Penrith
Years 5 to 9

Workshops are from 8:30 am to 2:45 pm.

  • Sat 9 May (Term 2 Week 3)
  • Thu 21 May (Term 2 Week 5)
  • Thu 4 Jun (Term 2 Week 7)
  • Thu 18 Jun (Term 2 Week 9)
  • Sat 20 Jun (Term 2 Week 9)
This program is designed to allow students who have no experience in playing a concert band instrument to have a 'taster' of what playing an instrument in a band is like.
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