Music

Kindergarten to Year 12 students and teachers

Instrumental, vocal and state music ensembles, workshops with national and international industry partners and festival performances allow students to express themselves as listeners, composers, and performers.

Two students playing flutes and one playing an oboe

Performance opportunities for 2024 are open now!

Compass Music Festivals and Music Festivals individual instrumental and vocal items are now open for applications.

Music festivals' individual instrumental and vocal item applications

Applications close on Friday 10 May.

Applications for Music festivals individual instrumental and vocal items 2024 are now open. 

Compass Music Festival

Applications for the Compass Music Festival Coffs Harbour are now open.

Applications for the Compass Music Festival Far South Coast are now open.

For further information, visit the Compass Music Festival program page.

Student comperes

Applications close 3 May.

In 2024 there is an opportunity for primary school students to nominate as comperes for one of the State Music Festival concerts. Please complete the following form to nominate a student for this opportunity. 

Enquiries

Music Festivals
The Arts Unit
concerts.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au
Instrumental Ensembles
The Arts Unit
music.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au
Vocal Ensembles
The Arts Unit
concerts.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au
Regional Conservatorium Grants Program
The Arts Unit
conservatorium@det.nsw.edu.au

Links

Programs

Instrumental Ensembles

Music
Years 5 to 12
Weekly music ensembles develop high-level music skills, while seasonal state ensembles meet for intensives before festival performances.

Music festivals

Music
Years 3 to 12 students and teachers
Students work with expert conductors and musicians to perform repertoire specifically chosen and commissioned for them. Primary and secondary schools are encouraged to submit music groups, choirs or soloists for inclusion in music festivals.

Teacher PL - music

Music
Teachers
Supports teachers to deliver inspiring music programs in their schools while working towards a performance opportunity. Digital resources offer engaging, independent activities linked to syllabus outcomes.

Vocal Ensembles

Music
Years 4 to 12
Student vocalists extend their vocal and performance skills in both weekly and state ensembles led by a team of experienced conductors and tutors, teachers and industry professionals.

State Music Camps

Music
Years 5 to 12
State Music Camps provide students with unique extension experiences in music.

Student music workshops

Music
Kindergarten to Year 12

Intensive music workshops for students invested in developing their skills in a particular instrument.

Instrumental and vocal items

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

Sydney NorthWest Music Festival

Local arts program Music
Kindergarten to Year 12
An annual showcase of individual items and combined school choirs provide an opportunity to develop, refine and highlight music and performance skills in a premiere performance venue.
Sydney

Cantabile Music Festival

Local arts program Music
Years 3 to 6
The Festival showcases individual band and orchestral items as well as the choral skills of the festival's combined primary school choir.
Coffs Harbour

Compass Music Festival – Coffs Harbour

Local arts program Music
Year 3 to 12 students and teachers
A combined public schools performance at Wiigulga Sports Complex.
Bega

Compass Music Festival – Far South Coast

Local arts program Music
Year 3 to 12 students and teachers
A combined public schools performance at Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre.
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Related digital resources

The craft of conducting – the basics

Creative Teachers Music
Teachers
This resource provides a series of videos and supporting materials directed towards developing the skills of the beginning conductor.

Establishing a recorder ensemble

Creative Teachers Music
Primary teacher, music
This teacher resource assists primary school teachers with the establishment and smooth running of their school recorder ensemble.

Choral music resources library

Creative Resource Creative Teachers Music
Teachers
Support for teachers to teach the Festival of Choral Music, Primary Proms and Compass Music Festival repertoires.

Instrumental music resource library

Creative Resource Creative Teachers Music
Teachers
Support for teachers to teach the Festival of Instrumental Music repertoires.
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All Arts Units programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in Music, please email concerts.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au so we can assist.