Music

Enquiries

The music team
The Arts Unit
music.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au

Music workshops

Workshops cater to all levels, from beginners to experienced players. They offer diverse topics and techniques and provide a platform for continuous learning and improvement. Practical, professional learning empowers teachers to deliver exceptional music programs in their schools while our student workshops enrich musical knowledge and skills.

Browse workshop programs and upcoming opportunities below.

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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.
Armidale

Bandlink Armidale

Program Music
Years 5 to 8

Bandlink Tamworth is a 2-day workshop consisting of a large concert band/orchestra and smaller tutorial sessions, bringing specialised skills to country NSW students from public schools. It is led by professional tutors and experienced conductors.
Newcastle

Bandlink Newcastle

Program Music
Years 4 to 11
A 2 day workshop providing students the opportunity to play in a large ensemble under the guidance of professional conductors and musicians.
Young and Griffith

Bandlink Riverina

Program Music
Years 3 to 12
A series of 2 day workshops for students who play a concert band instrument to work with professional musicians to further develop their skills.
Singleton

Bandlink Singleton

Program Music
Years 4 to 8
A series of 2-day workshops for vocalists and musicians who play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument to work with professional musicians to further develop their skills.
Tamworth

Bandlink Tamworth

Program Music
Years 5 to 12

Bandlink Tamworth is a 2-day workshop consisting of large concert band and smaller tutorial sessions, bringing specialised skills to country NSW students from public schools. It is led by professional tutors and experienced conductors.
Dubbo

Bandlink Western NSW

Program Music
Years 3 to 12
Workshops for students who play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument to work with professional instrumentalists to further develop their skills.
Moore Park

Boys Vocal Program

Program Music
Years 5 to 12
Open to male students who love to sing and want to experience what happens in a recording studio.
North Turramurra

Bush Studio – Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre

Program Music Visual arts
Years 7 to 12
A suite of immersive creative and performing arts programs at the Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre. 
Penrith | Sydney | Virtual

ConStruct music composition workshops

Program Music
Years 10, 11 and 12 students
A full-day workshop for Years 10, 11 and 12 Music students from NSW public schools and their teachers delivered in collaboration with regional conservatoriums.
Forster

Great Lakes and Greater Taree Music Workshops

Program Music
Years 3 to 10
An opportunity for student musicians to broaden their skills playing in a concert band. Students will experience sectional rehearsals while collaborating with other like-minded students and perform in a concert at the conclusion of the workshops.
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.
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.
Moss Vale

Inspire

Program Dance Drama Music Visual arts
Years 3 to 6
Workshops for high-potential and gifted students.
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.
Wagga Wagga

Riverina Senior Music Workshop

Program Music
Year 11 and 12 music students and teachers
Participants develop their understanding of the concepts of music and explore music as an art form through performance, musicology, composition and aural activities.
Tamworth

Rural North Senior Music Workshop

Program Music
Year 11 and 12 music students
A full-day workshop for Year 11 and 12 music students from NSW public schools and their teachers to develop and enhance their knowledge of HSC music examination requirements.
Sydney Olympic Park

Schools Spectacular

Program Dance Drama Music VET
Kindergarten to Year 12 students and teachers
Schools Spectacular is an iconic cultural event incorporating students from diverse backgrounds and communities from the length and breadth of the state.
Goulburn | Cooma

Senior Music Workshop – Goulburn and Cooma

Program Music
Year 11 and 12 music students
A full-day workshop for Year 11 and 12 music students from NSW public schools and their teachers to develop and enhance their knowledge of HSC music examination requirements.
Campbelltown

Shining Stars

Program Dance Drama Film Music Visual arts
Kindergarten to Year 12 students with a disability
Students engage in a relevant and meaningful arts education program.
South West Sydney

Shining Stars Music

Program Music
Kindergarten to Year 12 students with a disability
Provides opportunities for students with a disability to engage in music workshops that caters to the needs, interests and abilities of each student.
Rural and remote schools

Surround Sound

Program Music
Years 7 to 12
A band program for students in rural and remote areas bridging the gap and providing performance and mentoring opportunities to successful schools.

Taiko drumming workshops

Program Music
Years 5 to 12
These active and engaging workshops aim to educate students in Japanese style drumming techniques using the Taiko.
Orange

Western Senior Music Workshop

Program Music
Year 11 and 12 music students
A full-day workshop for Year 11 and 12 music students from NSW public schools and their teachers to develop and enhance their knowledge of HSC music examination requirements.
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Upcoming applications

conductor in front of ensemble

Instrumental and vocal ensembles staff 2027 – application

The Arts Unit, Lewisham
Music teachers

Applications closing: Mon 5 Oct 2026, 5 pm

Staff applications for all 2027 instrumental and vocal ensembles are now open to NSW Department of Education teachers, industry professionals and tertiary students.
A black and white image of students singing in a choir

North Coast Singers – launch day

Grafton
Years 4 to 12
–
Join acclaimed music director Paul Jarman for an inspiring day of singing, learning, and musical connection.
Taiko drumming

Taiko drumming workshops – EOI

Region: Metro, Metro South and West, Metropolitan South, Regional South
Years 5 to 12
 This program will educate students in Japanese taiko style drumming techniques. Led by our experienced tutor Graham Hilgendorf, director of YuNiOn. During these active and engaging one-day workshops students and teachers will learn about the taiko, playing in an ensemble and simple music arrangements, which culminate in performance work that can be taken back to school and shared with the school community.
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Upcoming events

GWS PS Concert Band performing at AACF at the Sydney Town Hall 2022

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Concert Band – workshops

Penrith
Years 4 to 12

All workshops are from 8:30 am to 2:45 pm.

  • Sat 16 May (Term 2 Week 4) 
  • Sat 23 May (Term 2 Week 5)
  • Sat 13 June (Term 2 Week 8)
  • Sat 1 August (Term 3 Week 2)
  • Sat 8 August (Term 3 Week 3)
  • Tue 18 August (Term 3 Week 5) 
  • Sat 17 October (Term 4 Week 1)
  • Sat 24 October (Term 4 Week 2)
GWSPS Big Band performing at the Sydney NorthWest Music Festival

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Big Band – workshops

Penrith
Years 5 to 12

Times: 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Term 2

  • Saturday 16 May (Term 2 Week 4)
  • Saturday 23 May (Term 2 Week 5)
  • Saturday 13 June (Term 2 Week 8)

Term 3

  • Saturday 1 August (Term 3 Week 2)
  • Saturday 8 August (Term 3 Week 3) 
  • Wednesday 19 August (Term 3 Week 5)

Term 4

  • Saturday 17 October (Term 4 Week 1)
  • Saturday 24 October (Term 4 Week 2)
GWS PS String Ensemble Arts Alive Choral Festival Opera House 2023

Greater Western Sydney Public Schools String Ensemble – workshops

Penrith
Years 4 to 12
  • Sun 17 May 2026 (Term 2 Week 4)
  • Sun 14 Jun 2026 (Term 2 Week 8)
  • Wed 17 Jun 2026 (Term 2 Week 9)
  • Sun 2 Aug 2026 (Term 3 Week 2)
  • Sun 9 Aug 2026 (Term 3 Week 3)
  • Sun 20 Sep 2026 (Term 3 Week 9)
  • Sun 18 Oct 2026 (Term 4 Week 1)
  • Sun 25 Oct 2026 (Term 4 Week 2)

Time: 8:30 am to 2:45 pm

State Wind Band students in their various school uniforms playing on The Opera House Stage.

State Wind Bands – teacher PL conducting

The Arts Unit, Lewisham
Teachers
–
–
The State Wind Bands Teacher PL conducting workshop provides the opportunity for teachers to join a professional learning program held in conjunction with the student ensemble.
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