IMP Update

IMP Update

IMP Update Term 3 Week 8

Farewells and welcomes

It is with sadness that the IMP farewells our wonderful sax tutor and Jazz Ensemble director, Rafael Karlen, who will be moving to Switzerland in September. All of us at the IMP will miss Rafael’s calm and incisive intelligence, his wonderful teaching, and his immense creativity. The whole IMP wishes Rafael and his family the very best in this next exciting chapter!

We also farewell Katie Robinson, our accompanist for Vocal Ensemble, who is starting a run as the principal keyboardists for Sunset Boulevard.

While both of these wonderful musicians leave big shoes to fill, the IMP is pleased to welcome Jem Harding, our new accompanist, and welcome back Stu Vandegraaff (a familiar face in the IMP) who will be stepping in to take Jazz Ensemble and the sax cohort.

NSW Arts Unit Auditions for Weekly Instrumental Music Ensembles in 2025

Applications are now open (closing 7th October) for the 2025 Arts Unit Instrumental Music Ensembles and Fort Street students have a long tradition of a large contingent taking part. The weekly music ensembles foster advanced musical skills, performing in amazing concerts at Sydney Conservatorium, Sydney Opera House, and Town Hall. Students work with an incredible team of expert tutors and conductors.

Live auditions will be held on Saturday 26 October and Sunday 27 October 2024.

The Arts Unit ensembles include:

  • Symphonic Wind Orchestra (SWO)
  • Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE)
  • Stage Band
  • Jazz Orchestra
  • String Sinfonia
  • Symphony Orchestra

Approximate standard for the intermediate ensembles (Symphonic Wind Orchestra, Stage Band and String Sinfonia) is AMEB grade 4+. Approximate standard for the advanced ensembles (Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra) is AMEB grade 6+.

Apply Here: https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/form/instrumental-ensembles-app

Closing date for applications:  7th October 2024

Sydney Con Rising Stars Program

Applications for the 2025 Sydney Con Rising Stars Program are now open for strings, jazz, piano, organ, brass, woodwind, and composition. Instrument auditions may be either live, or via both video submission (round 1) and live audition (round 2), depending on the instrument. Entry to the composition program is by submission of a body of work which will be reviewed for consideration.

The Rising Stars at the Con program provides gifted school-age students with specialist tuition in a supportive environment that helps develop their musical and artistic skills. Supported by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music faculty, the program is based on proven values of quality instrumental teaching, structured academic development, regular performance and the benefits of a strong and supportive musical peer group.

The Rising Stars program runs on Saturdays for 14 weeks per semester, with 2 semesters each year, and entry is by audition only.

For more information, please refer to the ‘How to Apply’ page here:

https://openacademy.sydney.edu.au/courses/Programs/Rising+Stars