Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Concert Band

2023

In 2023 there will be two separate elements to the Greater Western Sydney Concert Band program –  a concert band and a beginner band.

Concert band

The concert band program will take the form of 7 full-day workshops leading to performances at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Arts Alive Choral Festival, and at the NSW State Band Championships.

Workshop dates

The workshop dates for the program are:

• Sunday 23 July (Term 3 Week 1) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
• Monday 24 July (Term 3 Week 2) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
• Tuesday 25 July (Term 3 Week 2) from 9:15 am - 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
• Monday 31 July (Term 3 Week 3) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
• Monday 7 August (Term 3 Week 4). Times TBC – afternoon rehearsal and evening performance at Sydney Opera House.
• Monday 14 August (Term 3 Week 5) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
• Saturday 19 August (Term 3 Week 5) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
• Wednesday 23 August (Term 3 Week 6) from 9:15 am – 2:45 pm at Penrith High School
• Date TBC (Term 3 Week 6) – NSW State Band Championships (venue TBC)

Students will need to commit to all workshop and performance dates to participate in this program. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the ensemble director for students who have examinations which fall on the day of a workshop.

Eligibility

The program is open to any students currently enrolled in Years 4 to 12 at a NSW Public School who play one or more of the following instruments:

• flute (and/or piccolo)
• oboe (and/or cor anglais)
• clarinet (and/or bass clarinet)
• bassoon
• saxophone (alto, tenor and/or baritone)
• trumpet
• french horn
• trombone
• euphonium/baritone
• tuba
• drums/percussion (tuned and/or untuned)

The ensemble will be open to students with a wide range of abilities. The tutorial program and music selected will ensure that students of all abilities are appropriately challenged within the ensemble situation.

Please note, this program is open to public school students from anywhere in NSW – not just in the Metropolitan North, South and West areas.

Nomination process

Students must complete an online nomination form to participate in this program. As part of this form students will be required to submit a video audition.

Nominations will close on Monday 6 June 2023 (Term 3 Week 10).

As part of the nomination process, students must submit a parent permission form and publicity form. Please note, these forms are in addition to the online nomination form.

Audition requirements

Students should film themselves performing:

• one piece of music that they feel shows their current ability on their instrument to the highest standard
• two scales of their choice - one major and one harmonic minor.

At the start of the video, the student should introduce themselves and should announce the name and composer of the piece they are playing. Additionally, students should state what scale they are playing before they play it.

All requirements should be in one single video (not separate links for each component). However, if students wish to be considered on more than one instrument, a separate video should be submitted for each instrument which includes all of the components above.

Videos should be uploaded to the internet (preferably as an unlisted YouTube link) and the link copied and pasted into the online nomination form. Please ensure that you include the password if you choose to password protect your video (not reccomended).

Cost

There is a participation fee of $155.00 (GST inclusive) to participate in the 2023 Greater Western Sydney Concert Band program. This fee includes provision of all music and equipment, access to expert tutorial staff and an ensemble performance shirt to be worn at the performance.

This fee will be payable via The Arts Unit's student payment portal on acceptance into the ensemble. 

Students are encouraged to approach their school for financial assistance if required.

Extension opportunity

Some students may be selected from this program to form part of the Greater Western Sydney Public Schools Symphony Orchestra. 

If selected, these students will need to attend an additional rehearsal at Penrith High School from 2:30pm - 5pm on Saturday 9 September, as well as participate in an additional rehearsal and performance at the Sydney Opera House on Monday 11 September. Further information will be provided directly to those students selected for this ensemble There will be no additional cost if students are selected for this extension opportunity.

Please note, selection for this extension opportunity is entirely at the discretion of the ensemble director and the Arts Coordination Officer.

Beginner band – new for 2023!

The beginner band program is designed to allow students who have no experience in playing a concert band instrument to have a 'taster' of what playing an instrument in a band is like. Students will be provided with an instrument for the duration of the workshop program as well as expert tuition at the workshops. Parents will be given the option to continue the instrument hire (at additional cost) following the conlusion of the workshops.

This program will take the form of 4 full-day workshops leading to a performance at Penrith High School as part of the Greater Western Sydney Music Festival.

Workshop dates

The workshop dates for the program are:

• Monday 22 May (Term 2 Week 5) from 9:15 am-2:45 pm at Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School
• Monday 29 May (Term 2 Week 6) from 9:15 am-2:45 pm at Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School
• Monday 5 June (Term 2 Week 7) from 9:15 am-2:45 pm at Penrith High School
• Tuesday 13 June (Term 2 Week 8) from 9:15 am-2:45 pm at Penrith High School
• Sunday 18 June (Term 2 Week 8). Times TBC - afternoon rehearsal and evening performance at Sydney Opera House

Students will need to commit to all workshop and performance dates to participate in this program. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the ensemble director for students who have examinations which fall on the day of a workshop.

Eligibility

The program is open to any students currently enrolled in Years 4 - 12 at a NSW Public School who woud like to play one of the following instruments:

• flute
• oboe
• clarinet
• bassoon
• saxophone (alto, tenor and/or baritone)
• trumpet
• french horn
• trombone
• euphonium / baritone
• tuba
• drums / percussion (tuned and/or untuned).

The ensemble is aimed at students who are absolute beginners on their instrument. No experience is necessary. Students will be provided with an instrument on loan for the duration of the workshop program and parents will be offered an option to continue with the loan should the student wish to continue on the instrument. 

Please note, this program is open to public school students from anywhere in NSW – not just in the Metropolitan North, South and West areas.

Nomination process

Students must complete an online nomination form to participate in this program. As part of this form students will be required to submit a video audition.

Nominations will close on Friday 12 May 2023 (Term 2 Week 3).

As part of the nomination process, students must submit a parent permission form and publicity form. Please note, these forms are in addition to the online nomination form.

Cost

There is a participation fee of $155.00 (GST inclusive) to participate in the 2023 Greater Western Sydney Concert Band program. This fee includes the loan of an instrument, provision of all music and equipment, access to expert tutorial staff and an ensemble performance shirt to be worn at the performance.

This fee will be payable via The Arts Unit's student payment portal on acceptance into the ensemble. 

Students are encouraged to approach their school for financial assistance if required.

Contact

For more information, please contact Richard Sandham, Ensemble Director or Peter Hayward, Arts Coordination Officer.