IMP News

Welcome to new and returning IMP families! 2026 is going to be an amazing year full of inspirational musical opportunities. IMP camp is coming up on 20-22 March and director Matthew Manchester has lots of exciting performance opportunities lined up throughout the year. Make sure to read all IMP communications.

Sydney Con Brass Day to be held on April 11

If you are a brass player, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music will be hosting its annual ‘Brass Day’ on Saturday April 11, 2026. This is a free event where students and teachers come and participate in masterclasses with Sydney Con staff, hear performances from Sydney Con students and staff, and finish up the day with a concert featuring the Royal Australian Navy Band Sydney and world class brass soloists.

To book, visit the Sydney Conservatorium box office: https://boxoffice-music.sydney.edu.au/tiny/brassday26

Fort Street students attend National Music Camp

Our talented Fort Street musicians, Henry Shannon (viola, year 10), Rose Moloney (violin, year 10) and Clara Moloney (cello, year 12) attended the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp in Adelaide in early January. They enjoyed 2 weeks of

intensive rehearsals with Australia’s finest young musicians, culminating in four public concerts which will be broadcast on ABC Classic FM in February and March. Congratulations to Henry, Rose and Clara for being amongst the 220 students chosen to participate from 750 applicants.

Clara Moloney, Rose Moloney and Henry Shannon at the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp in Adelaide in January.

Noam Zemack awarded the David T. Smith Youth Vibraphone Development Scholarship

Congratulations to Noam Zemack who was awarded the David T. Smith Youth Vibraphone Development Scholarship! The scholarship aims to provide opportunities and develop performance skills for senior high school vibraphone and mallet percussionists. Watch Noah performing on the loan vibraphone he received as part of the scholarship (which belonged to the great Sydney Jazz drummer and percussionist, the late Alan Geddes) here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BesKr3mJv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Workshop applications for Strike A Chord 2026 open on 23 February

The dates for Strike A Chord 2026, Musica Viva Australia’s national program celebrating chamber music for school-aged students, have been released. Now entering its sixth year, Strike A Chord continues in 2026 with the support of the Hansen Little Foundation, helping the program reach students at a formative stage across metro, regional and less resourced communities.

Whether you’re an emerging ensemble or ready to take the national stage, there’s a place for you in Strike A Chord. Strike A Chord gives students clear goals, expert feedback, and the chance to meet new musical friends from all over the country. Participants can apply for a free coaching session with a Musica Viva Australia-affiliated artist and take part in a national program with a total prize pool worth $50,000.

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/

Enrolments for SYO Orchestral Musicianship Programs now open

Sydney Youth Orchestras offers several musicianship programs, developed and delivered by some of Sydney’s leading music educators and conductors. Two of the three courses do not require SYO membership:

– Orchestral Musicianship Essentials is aimed at high school music students aged 12-19 (Years 7-12) and focuses on musical notation, chords and harmony, history of orchestral music, score reading and analysis, melodic and rhythmic dictation and sight-singing.

– Orchestral Music (1600-Present) is a perfect preparation or extension add-on course for students aged 14-19 (Years 9-12). It is ideal for those intending to, or who are currently studying Music 2* and/or Music Extension.

For more information, visit: https://syo.com.au/digital-programs/orchestral-musicianship/