IMP Update
The Arts Unit Instrumental Ensembles – Applications now open for 2027 ensembles
Join high-potential students from NSW public schools in varying ensembles directed by professional conductors, including the intermediate ensembles – Symphonic Wind Orchestra, Stage Band, String Sinfonia; and advanced ensembles – Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra.
To apply, all musicians are required to be at an AMEB grade 4+ level for the intermediate ensembles (Symphonic Wind Orchestra, Stage Band and String Sinfonia) and an AMEB grade 6+ level for the advanced ensembles (Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra).
Enjoy performance opportunities in incredible venues such as Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Town Hall, and Sydney Opera House. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this amazing experience. There is a strong tradition of Fortians taking part in these ensembles.
For more information and online applications: https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/webform/instrumental-ensembles-application
Further questions? Email: music.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au
Applications deadline: Monday 6 October at 5 pm
The Arts Unit Vocal Ensembles – applications now open for 2027 ensembles
Join high-potential students from NSW public schools in NSW Junior and Senior Singers, directed by professional conductors, and supported by tutors every week. Incredible performance opportunities, including the Opera House, Town Hall, Pulse Alive, Recordings, Official NSW DET Events, and Schools Spectacular.
For more information and online applications: https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/webform/vocal-ensembles-application
Further questions? Email: music.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au
Applications deadline: Friday 30 October at 5 pm
Young Mannheim Symphonists 2027: Applications close 25 October
The Young Mannheim Symphonists program is Australia’s national youth orchestra for HIP (historically informed performance) and 2027 is going to be huge. Applications and auditions for YMS 2027: Beethoven Celebration are now open!
YMS 2027 National Academy: 30 March – 4 April (Brisbane) – Beethoven Symphony No.9 ‘Choral’
YMS 2027 VIC State Academy: 6-10 July (Melbourne) – Beethoven Symphony No.3 ‘Eroica’ and Coriolan Overture
Instrumentalists aged 13-23 may audition for one or both programs.
Workshops, side-by-side playing, coaching, rehearsals, and triumphant public concerts in Queensland and Victoria. Conductors include the eminent Chad Kelly (National Academy) and Rachael Beesley (VIC State Academy), with co-director Nicole van Bruggen and a fantastic line-up of ARCO faculty musicians.
Not to mention making the friendships of a lifetime! Said one YMS participant, “Hands down the best youth orchestra experience I’ve had.”
For more information and online applications: https://www.arco.org.au/yms-2027
Applications/auditions deadline: Sunday 25 October at midnight
Vocal Ensemble performs in the Choir for Life Concert
On Friday 4 September, the Vocal Ensemble and Chamber Choir performed in a collaborative fundraising concert ‘Choir for Life’, along with three community choirs: Harmoni Pymble, Singers Re-Choired, and Urban Voices. This event is designed to highlight the positive physical and mental health benefits of singing in a choir, and to raise much-needed funds for youth mental health support. It was a joyful and life-affirming way to start a weekend and raised $4500 for Headspace and ReachOut.
Our Chamber Choir and Vocal Ensemble each performed feature numbers, to the delight of the crowd, including a well-deserved standing ovation for Chamber Choir. The evening concluded with a combined performance of Drive, involving all choirs and Year 7 Fortian soloist Sam Schubert.
Fort Street has been delighted to host this wonderful event for the past four years, and we look forward to next year’s event! Huge congratulations to all singers involved!
Fort Street Concert band collaborates with Glebe Public School Band
On Wednesday 2 September, the Fort Street Concert Band was joined by students from the fledgling Glebe Public School Band for an afternoon workshop and mini-concert. This event was led by Dr Manchester and Lachlan Mahoney.
It was wonderful to see our younger Fortians showing leadership and kindness while working with the 20 primary school students from Glebe, who must have been rather intimidated by suddenly sitting among a band of 70 high school players!
In a beautiful letter of thanks to the participants and to the Fort Street IMP following the event, Kane Wheatley, the music teacher at Glebe, summed up the experience perfectly:
“Our students were mixed throughout the ensemble, sitting alongside older musicians playing their instruments, making music together and learning from one another. There was obviously plenty of musical learning happening, but there was another reason I think this experience was particularly valuable. One of the challenges with instrumental music in primary school is helping children see where all this can lead.
Dr Anita Collins’ work communicating the research around instrumental music learning highlights the benefits of sustained participation in music. Not only for greater musical development, but with broader cognitive, social and emotional benefits including attention, resilience, teamwork and social connection.
But for a child, research isn’t nearly as persuasive as sitting next to a teenager who plays the same instrument they do. Yesterday, our students could actually see the next step. High-school band wasn’t an abstract idea. They were sitting in it.
That’s something we’re continuing to build into the Band Program at Glebe. Of course, we want our students to become better instrumentalists and make great music together. But we also want them to develop an identity as musicians, see where their learning might take them, and understand that music can remain part of their lives well beyond primary school.”
We hope this is the first of many collaborations with Glebe Public School, as their program continues to grow and thrive!
University of Sydney PhD research survey: Are you a Chinese migrant student who participates in group music activities?
Researchers at the University of Sydney are surveying Chinese migrant secondary students of background participating in extracurricular group music activities as part of a PhD research study.
To participate in the survey, please scan the QR code on the poster or visit: https://sydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dmzmL44X0oWyvgq?Q_CHL=qr
