IMP Update
Fort Street students selected to perform at Festival Concerts
Huge congratulations to IMP members Ethan Tsang (cello) and Edmund Huang (bassoon) who have been selected to perform as soloists in the NSW State music festivals, run by the NSW Arts Unit and held in the Sydney Opera House.
Ethan will be performing in the Festival of Choral Music Barangaroo concert on Wednesday 6 August. Edmund will be performing in the Festival of Instrumental Music Mimosa concert on Tuesday 9 September.
In addition, the Fort Street Recorder Ensemble has also been chosen for a festival performance. They will be performing in the Festival of Instrumental Music Jacaranda Concert on Monday 8 September.
This is a wonderful achievement! We wish both young soloists, as well as the members of the recorder ensemble, the very best for their performance on this great stage!
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Fort Street Wind Ensemble collaborates with Sydney Secondary College
On Thursday 15 May, Fort Street Wind Ensemble collaborated with Sydney Secondary College to present the first-ever live performance of our 2019 co-commission: Three Pieces for Symphonic Winds by Luke Byrne, a brilliant Sydney-based composer. This is a significant new work which, due to the pandemic, had never been performed to a live audience before this event.
The two bands met to put the piece together for the first time on Thursday afternoon, and it was very exciting that Luke was able to attend to discuss the piece and his compositional process, with the ensembles and some senior Fort Street students, as well as finally hear his work live after so many years.
At 6pm, after a break for pizza, the two bands each played a solo piece and then combined to premiere the Byrne to our very appreciative audience.
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Sydney Youth Orchestras Winter School Programs
SYO is running several programs relevant to high school students during the winter holidays. Note that bookings close on June 16th.
1. SYO Winter School (14-19 July)
SYO Winter School involves five fun and intensive days of rehearsals and tutorials with Sydney’s best educators, culminating in a concert at Sydney Conservatorium of Music to showcase your week of work. Open to all young musicians with no audition required, SYO Winter School is suitable for any student in primary or high school who plays an orchestral instrument – from those in their first year of playing through to AMEB Grade 7 or equivalent. Students will be placed in ensembles with peers of similar experience level, ensuring the perfect balance of challenge and support.
Find out more about Winter School here: https://syo.com.au/2025-syo-winter-school/
2. NEW: Auditions for SYO Winter Symphony Orchestra (14-19 July)
The Winter Symphony Orchestra will meet for a week of intensive rehearsals, tutorials and workshops, culminating in a showcase concert at the Sydney Conservatorium with Conductor Tyler Wilkinson. Musicians will work side-by-side with inspiring mentors from The Sydney Youth Orchestra and Sydney’s best instrumental tutors and educators.
Audition required for:
· Orchestral Strings
· Brass
· Woodwind
· Percussion
Requirements:
· AMEB Grade 6 to AMusA or equivalent
· Previous large ensemble experience required
· Must be having private instrumental tuition
· Recommended ages: 14 – 18 years old
· All musicians are required to bring their OWN instruments (excluding large percussion instruments)
Find out more about Winter Symphony Orchestra here: https://syo.com.au/syo-winter-symphony-orchestra/
3. SYO HSC Winter School program (14-18 July)
SYO’s HSC program is specifically designed to assist students in Years 10, 11 & 12 to prepare for and support their HSC Music 2 & Music Extension studies. Presented by highly experienced music educators and HSC markers, the HSC Preparatory Course at SYO Winter School is specifically designed to assist students in
Years 10, 11 & 12 (in 2025) to prepare for and polish their understanding of HSC Music 2 & Music Extension in a focused, supportive and engaging environment. HSC Winter School will specifically focus on HSC performance, past examination papers and sight singing. Participants can expect to receive intensive training on practical and written exam technique and constructive performance critique.
Find out more about the HSC Winter School here: https://syo.com.au/2025-hsc-winter-school/
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IMP Winter Concert on Friday 27 June – Save the Date
Save the evening of Friday 27th of June for our wonderful IMP Winter Concert to celebrate the great work of the IMP ensembles in Terms 1 & 2!
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Upcoming Public Recital featuring Fort Street Chamber Choir & Recorder Ensemble
On Friday 20 June the Chamber Choir and the Recorder Ensemble will feature in a concert presented by the wonderful Harmoni Choir, to be held in Hunter Baillie Church, Annandale.
All Fortians and their families are warmly invited to come and hear these amazing ensembles perform in a public concert.
All proceeds are going towards a new scholarship for emerging young singers in Sydney.
Tickets are available via the QR code or by visiting https://www.trybooking.com/DBWYG
See you there!
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Sydney Symphony Orchestra Young Musicians Workshop
Applications are now open for Sydney Symphony’s motivational three-day student orchestral workshop for aspiring young musicians in years 4–12.
Students will take a deep dive into the finer elements of rehearsing and performing a major orchestral work with the guidance of the talented musicians of the Sydney Symphony and the 2025 Fellowship.
Dates: Wednesday 1 October – Friday 3 October 2025
Location: Parramatta Marist High School
Closing date for applications: Friday 4 July 2025.
For more information: https://www.sydneysymphony.com/concerts/young-musicians-workshop-2025