Festival of Instrumental Music 2026 – individual string player application

Region: Metro, Metropolitan South
Years 3 to 6 students and teachers
Webform Festival Teacher professional learning Music
Application closing date

Parents should complete this form to apply for their child to participate in the 2026 Festival of Instrumental Music combined string ensemble as an individual string player. For teachers applying for a school group to participate, please use the combined string ensemble application form.

Individual string player applications

In 2026 students may enrol in the Festival of Instrumental Music combined string ensemble as an individual string player. Students enrolled as individual string players will be supervised by an Arts Unit staff member at both the Sydney preliminary rehearsal (if applicable) and the concert. This initiative is designed to make the program more accessible to students who do not have a string program at their school, particularly students living in Regional NSW. A school may have up to 3 students enrolled as ‘individual’ string players – schools with 4 or more students participating must enrol as a school group.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to enrol as an individual string player, a student must:

  • be enrolled at a NSW public school for 2026 and have endorsement from the school principal to participate
  • be having regular instrumental lessons on the violin, viola, cello or double bass
  • be at a minimum standard of AMEB Grade 2 (or equivalent).

Performance dates

Participating students will perform in 1 of 4 concerts:

  • Acacia Concert: Tuesday 22 September 2026
  • Banksia Concert: Wednesday 23 September 2026
  • Jacaranda Concert: Thursday 24 September 2026
  • Mimosa Concert: Friday 25 September 2026

Performance venue

  • Sydney Opera House Concert Hall

Preliminary Rehearsals

Students attend a preliminary rehearsal to prepare students for the concerts.

Sydney preliminary rehearsals will be held at Meadowbank Public School, 6 Rhodes Street, Meadowbank.

  • Acacia rehearsal: Tuesday 25 August 2026, 10 am to 1:30 pm 
  • Banksia rehearsal: Wednesday 26 August 2026, 10 am to 1:30 pm 
  • Jacaranda rehearsal: Thursday 27 August 2026, 10 am to 1:30 pm 
  • Mimosa rehearsal: Friday 28 August 2026, 10 am to 1:30 pm

Non-metropolitan students may attend a local 'cluster' rehearsal in Term 2 or 3. Venues and dates of cluster rehearsals will be confirmed in March 2026.

Cost

  • Participation fee of $42 per student will be payable upon acceptance into the program. 
  • A rural and remote subsidy of 25% will be offered to all students attending from rural and remote schools as identified by the department.
Enquiries
Music Festivals
The Arts Unit
[email protected]
Luke Wallace
Student Music Programs K-8 Officer
[email protected]
0448 262 659
Related programs
Festival of Instrumental Music

Apply for individual string player

Important information

In the event of injury, no personal injury insurance cover is provided by the NSW Department of Education for students in relation to school sporting activities, physical education lessons or any other school activity. The department’s public liability cover is fault-based and limited to breaches by the department of its duty of care to students that may result in claims for compensation.

Parents/carers are advised to assess the level and extent of their child’s involvement in the activity when deciding whether additional insurance cover is required prior to their child’s involvement in the program. Personal accident insurance cover is available through normal retail insurance outlets.

Privacy notice

The information requested in this note is being collected by the NSW Department of Education. The department will use the information in connection with your child’s participation in this event for the following purposes:

  1. administration;
  2. communication with parents/carers; and
  3. for the health, safety and welfare of your child.

The department might share the information requested in this note with health care providers in the event that your child requires urgent medical attention. All personal information will be held securely and disposed of securely when no longer needed.

You have the right to access and correct the information you provide in this note. If you wish to do so, please contact The Arts Unit on 02 8512 1100 Locked Bag 1500, Petersham NSW 2049 

Specific privacy information

The department will use information about your child’s

  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status for the purpose of implementing its Aboriginal Education Policy.
  • Identified additional support information to ensure appropriate learning adjustments are in place.

The provision of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander status or gender status is voluntary, and not providing either of them will not impact on your child’s participation. All other additional support information requested in this form is voluntary.

Student details
Gender

Parent/caregiver details

School details

Please enter a valid mobile number in the following format: 04xx  xxx  xxx
Please indicate your previous involvement in the FOIM.

Instrument details

Please give full details of any additional learning needs, and how we may be able to assist participation in the festival in an inclusive manner.

Concert availability

Indicate your preference of concerts from 1 to 4.

  • If you are equally available for several dates mark each of them as 1.
  • If you are unavailable for a concert select No.
  • Improve your chance of selection by nominating as many available dates as possible.
Concert → Preference
Acacia Concert: Tuesday 22 September 2026 →
Banksia Concert: Wednesday 23 September 2026 →
Jacaranda Concert: Thursday 24 September 2026 →
Mimosa Concert: Friday 25 September 2026 →
For example, if you wish to be linked to another school to share travel costs please indicate above.

Principal endorsement

No upcoming events currently.
No upcoming events currently.