Instrumental Music Programs
IMP Camp On the 29th to 31st of March, 165 Fort Street students and 22 staff and tutors came together for three days of intensive music making. Students were privileged to be guided by an amazing group of tutors, including principal players of major orchestras. The camp culminated in a joyous concert at CRU Galston Gorge, on Sunday afternoon, finishing with Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’ as the Camp Item involving all students. The performances were astounding and showcased the hard work, collaboration, and love of music-making of students and tutors alike.
Upcoming Musical Opportunities There are some exciting, upcoming musical opportunities for Fort Street musicians to expand their breadth of repertoire and performance experience. These include the Sydney Southeast Symphonic Wind ensemble, Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Workshops, State Wind Bands, State Music Camps, State Choir, and the Boys Vocal Program. Fort Street has always had a strong representation in these ensembles and camps.
1.Sydney Southeast Symphonic Winds (SSSW)
SSSW auditions students from all over Greater Sydney to form a 100+ piece concert band. 2024 marks the 30th year of the Sydney Southeast Symphonic Winds ensemble. The goal of the ensemble is to provide advanced music education and performance opportunities for children in Years 5 to 8 who are currently enrolled in NSW public schools in and around the Sydney area.
SSSW is open to students who play one of the following instruments: flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone (Alto, Tenor or Baritone), trumpet/cornet, French horn, trombone, baritone/euphonium, tuba, bass guitar, keyboard or percussion (tuned and/or untuned).
The band has regularly performed at leading performance venues including the Sydney Opera House, Angel Place, Sydney Town Hall, Parliament House, Verbrugghen Hall and the Sydney Entertainment Centre, also representing the Department of Education at official events throughout Sydney.
Applications close Friday 26th April.
For further information about SSSW, and to apply, visit The Arts Unit website: https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/local-arts-programs/metro-south-and-west-metropolitan-south-regional-south/sydney-southeast
2.Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Workshops on Monday 29th April 2024
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music invites secondary school students to a workshop/s on Monday 29 April 2024 with members of the Jazz Faculty that will help to demystify the intersection of improvisation and composition. Led by guitarist, vocalist and composer, Jess Green, participants will explore techniques to connect improvising with composing, using Jess’s compositions as vehicles for play and discovery. These workshops are open to all high school aged students, with no pre-requisites. Students will have opportunities to sing, clap and play their instruments in collective improvisation, as well learn from Conservatorium jazz students and lecturers about pathways to studying jazz at the Conservatorium.
These two workshops will be offered in a hybrid format: in person at the Conservatorium campus (1 Conservatorium Road, Sydney) and live-streamed for remote participants.
Cost: There is no cost for participants.
Workshop 1 (10:30 – 11:15 am): Coordinating our body to make musical patterns. We explore a piece that draws on rhythms and melody that trace jazz to its African roots.
Workshop 2 (11:45 am – 12:30 pm): Using imagery and text to create rhythm and shape collective improvisation.
Registration:
In person: https://forms.office.com/r/eWWMHeTxh9
Remote*: https://forms.office.com/r/1NiUn1iv4h *live stream link will be sent to participants on Friday 26 April
For more information, and registration details, visit: https://bit.ly/4ao6S2m
3.State Wind Bands
The Arts Unit’s State Wind Bands provide an opportunity for high potential and gifted music students in NSW public schools to perform in a state ensemble under the direction of expert conductors. The rehearsal schedule is condensed to support participation from non-metro students, who will work with professional conductors and tutors in large ensemble and small sectional sessions to prepare for performances at the Sydney Opera House.
State Senior Band (for students in Years 9 to 12)
Workshops at The Arts Unit, Lewisham Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 August
Performances at The Sydney Opera House Monday 12 – Tuesday 13 August
State Junior Band (for students in Years 5 to 8)
Workshops at The Arts Unit, Lewisham Monday 12 – Tuesday 13 August
Performances at The Sydney Opera House Wednesday 14 – Thursday 15 August
Cost
Sydney metropolitan student participation fee – $110
Students from rural & remote schools – $85.50
All applications close Friday 10 May.
For more information and to apply, visit artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/state-wind-bands
Enquiries: Luke Wallace luke.wallace20@det.nsw.edu.au
4.State Music Camps
The Arts Unit’s State Music Camps provide an opportunity for high potential music students in NSW public schools to develop their performance skills under the guidance of expert conductors and tutors in a residential camp setting. During the week, students participate in both large and small ensembles, performing a range of engaging and high-quality repertoire with the camp culminating in a concert for families on the final night.
2024 dates
Senior State Music Camp (Years 8 to 12) – 30 June to 5 July (Term 2 Week 10)
Junior State Music Camp (Years 5 to 8) – 21 July to 26 July (Term 3 Week 1)
Venue Sydney Academy of Sport, Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen
Cost
Sydney metropolitan student participation fee – $700
Students from rural & remote schools – $375
Applications close Friday 10 May.
For more information and to apply, visit: artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/nsw-public-schools-state-music-camps
Enquiries: Jacqueline Shaw jacqueline.shaw@det.nsw.edu.au
5.State Choir
The Arts Unit’s State Choir provides an opportunity for high potential and gifted choristers to sing challenging repertoire with Australia’s leading choral directors. The choir is open to all NSW public school students Years 8 to 12, with no audition required. The rehearsal schedule is condensed to support participation from non-metro students, who will rehearse in Sydney across three days to prepare for performances at the Sydney Opera House.
Workshops
The Arts Unit, Lewisham Sunday 11 August 2024
The Sydney Opera House Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 August 2024
Performances
The Sydney Opera House Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 August 2024
Cost
Sydney metropolitan student participation fee – $110
Students from rural & remote schools – $82.50
Applications close Thursday 30 May.
For more information and to apply, visit: artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/state-choir
Enquiries: Jacqueline Shaw jacqueline.shaw@det.nsw.edu.au
6.Boys Vocal Program
The 3-day Boys Vocal Program is a non-audition vocal program led by tutors Stuart Davis and Arlo Sim at Trackdown Studios at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, in Term 2 Week 6.
Open to all students in Years 5 to 12 who attend a NSW public school who love to sing and want to experience what happens in a recording studio. During the first two days of the workshop, students and teachers work on vocal warm-ups, vocal techniques, ensemble singing, filming a film clip and developing an exciting, harmonised repertoire. On the third day, students record the track with sound engineers at Trackdown Studios, where they experience the recording, engineering and mixing process. Following the program, the completed music clip and recording are available to all schools via the Arts Unit website.
Dates: Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th of June (9.00am-2.30pm)
Location: Trackdown Studios, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.
Cost: $90.00
Applications close Friday 10 May
For more information and to apply, visit: https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/boys-vocal-program
Enquiries: artsinitiatives@det.nsw.edu.au