IMP News

Stellar performances at the IMP Summer Concert

The IMP wrapped up another inspired year of music-making with their Summer Concert on Friday 12th of December. Despite the grey clouds, the rain held off, allowing for a wonderful evening of great food and amazing music. In a new concert format, Junior Percussion, Jazz Ensemble and Big Band entertained us over dinner creating a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere which added to the lovely community vibe.

The main concert opened with the Philharmonic’s brilliant performance of the fourth movement of Mendelssohn’s Reformation Symphony No. 5. followed by the Symphony Orchestra performing the technically challenging third movement of Symphony No. 2 by Rimsky-Korsakov. Conductor J.O. noted that the Rimsky-Korsakov was in its original form and not often played by student orchestras. The Vocal Ensemble and Chamber Choir treated us with stunning renditions of Bridge Over Troubled Water by Paul Simon and the traditional spiritual, Wade In The Water, as well as songs by Brahms and Rheinberger. The Jazz Orchestra ended the first half of the concert with a fabulous performance of Full Count by Mark Taylor.

Senior Percussion Ensemble opened the second half of the concert with Blinker by Chuck Ricotta and the Training Band demonstrated huge improvement with an outstanding performance of Omicron by Sean O’Loughlin. Concert Band entertained us with a familiar favourite, selections from The Lion King. The Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble wrapped up the concert with the final two performances – Ghost Fleet by Robert Sheldon and the intense and technically challenging Symphony No. 4 by Andrew Boysen Jr.

Many thanks to the conductors for their hard work with the IMP Ensembles in 2025, including Matthew Manchester, John Ockwell, Alex Pringle, Emily Irvine, Mike Raper, Stuart Vandegraaff and Kerryn Joyce, as well as our wonderful accompanist Jem Harding. The evening could not have happened without the collaboration and efforts of IMP Coordinator and Director of Bands, Matthew Manchester, as well as Fort Street staff and teachers, the hard-working IMP Committee, the wonderful parent and community volunteers, families and, most importantly, the students. The evening raised over $12,000 that will directly support the Instrumental Music Program.

1. The stage set for the IMP Summer Concert 2025

2. Symphony Orchestra performing Rimsky-Korsakov

3. Fort Street Vocal Ensemble

4. Matthew Manchester conducting the Wind Ensemble

5. Parent volunteers on the fabulous and festive cake stall

Pulse Alive nominations now open

Pulse Alive will take place on Wed 18, Thurs 19, and Fri 20 March 2026 (Term 1, Week 8) at Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. This spectacular event is a vibrant celebration of creativity, connection, and opportunity in the performing arts. It brings together thousands of singers, dancers, actors, and musicians from NSW public schools across metropolitan, regional, rural, and remote communities.

Pulse Alive provides performance opportunities for students of all abilities from Kindergarten to Year 12. Students selected via audition to feature as principal vocalists, members of the Pulse Alive Dance Company, principal choir, members of the showband, drama ensemble, student hosts and members of the student crew will be required to perform/participate in all three performances.

For more information, visits: artsunit.nsw.edu.au/pulse-alive

Fort Street student selected for AYO National Music camp

A shout out to Henry Shannon who has been selected for Australian Youth Orchestra’s 2026 National Music Camp. Congratulations Henry!

If you have a musical achievement from outside of school that you would like to share with the IMP community, please email Dr Manchester for inclusion in Mercurius! We have IMP members popping up in all sorts of musical arenas, and we’d love to celebrate your successes with you!

Strike A Chord 2026

The dates for Strike A Chord 2026, Musica Viva Australia’s national program celebrating chamber music for school-aged students, have been released. Whether you’re an emerging ensemble or ready to take the national stage, there’s a place for you in Strike A Chord. Now is the time to start gathering your ensemble and exploring repertoire ideas for next year. With free coaching sessions, expert feedback, and tailored resources built around a national competition, Strike A Chord helps young musicians of all levels refine their skills and experience the joy of making music together.

Who can enter?

· Full-time students up to Year 12

· Groups of 3–8 players/singers (one per part, no conductor or adult accompanist)

· Any instrument or voice combination performing repertoire broadly classical in style

Visit the Strike A Chord page for more information: www.musicaviva.com.au/strike-a-chord/

Further resources can be found here: www.musicaviva.com.au/strike-a-chord/strike-a-chord-resources/

SYO Summer School, Summer Symphony Orchestra and HSC Programs

On 12-17 January 2026, join SYO for five fun and intensive days of rehearsals and tutorials with some of Sydney’s best educators, culminating in a concert at Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Verbruggen Hall.

In the SYO Summer Symphony Orchestra, young musicians will have the incredible opportunity to learn and perform under the guidance of conductor Dr Joanna Drimatis. This program is open to orchestral strings, brass, woodwind and percussion AMEB Grade 6 to AMusA or equivalent. Recommended age is 14 to 18 years old. Previous large ensemble experience required and must be having private instrumental tuition.

For further information, including all the Summer School program opportunities and registration details, visit: https://syo.com.au/2026-syo-summer-school/