Thank you to the Symphonic Band for your fantastic performance at the school Open Day last Thursday. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the incredible talent of our students and highlight the strength of the music program you’re all part of.

Your performance was very well received by the audience, and you represented the school with professionalism and enthusiasm.

We are working towards the Music Fest in Term 4, and it's important that both the Senior Choir and Boys Chorus ensure they have fully memorised their words and music.

It’s wonderful to see the Chamber Choir beginning work on their new pieces — I’m looking forward to showcasing these at the upcoming Music Concert.

A special thank you to the Grade 4 students who attend Junior Choir so faithfully each week. They are making great progress learning their new repertoire in preparation for the school music concert.

Rehearsal attendance is a team commitment, and every student plays an important role. Please make sure you know when, where, and what time your rehearsals are.

Let’s keep up the great work as we prepare for an exciting and musical Term 4!

½ Day Music Workshop: Concert Winds Band & Corelli Orchestra.

We’ve moved these half-day workshops to later in the term so everyone has more time to get ready. These workshops are a great chance for the band and orchestra to really focus on playing as a team. They'll spend time in rehearsals, sectionals, and full group sessions to improve your playing, build confidence, and get better at working together.

The main goal is to help students feel prepared and confident for their Music Fest performance in Term 4. By working towards this together, they'll grow not just as individual musicians, but also as a strong, connected group ready to perform.

Please note that some emails are bouncing back due to full inboxes. I kindly ask students in the program to forward the Music Notes to their parents if needed.

I may need to recreate all email lists and groups in preparation for 2026, as entering data is a time-consuming process. I plan to address this at the end of Term 4. Thank you for your patience as we work through this issue.

In the meantime, please also refer to the Music Notes section in the school newsletter to stay up to date.

2026 Strings and Band Recruitment Update

Mr. Holloway and Mrs. Venn have now met with students who expressed interest in joining the Strings or Band program in 2026. (Students who were absent during this process have been followed up last week.)

This marks the beginning of an exciting musical journey—one that offers a wealth of personal, social, and academic benefits. Our instrumental music program is a valued part of school life, and we are proud of the strong musical culture developed over the years.

It’s also a significant commitment—for both families and students—and one we take seriously. The school continues to provide additional funding to maintain the size and quality of the program, and we are dedicated to seeing it thrive.

As such, we’re looking for students who are ready to be part of a team. In the words of Education Queensland:

"Participation in music education fosters discipline, perseverance, and collaboration—skills essential not just for music, but for life."

Due to limited spaces, selection is based on several factors, including student readiness, commitment, and maintaining a balanced ensemble across instrument groups.

Strings Program
Each year, we welcome approximately 30 new string students. Unfortunately, due to high demand and limited places, not all applicants will receive a placement. Students who are not successful this year are encouraged to reapply next year for a position in the Band program.

Band Program
The Band program typically accepts between 45 and 50 new students annually, which means there are more opportunities available in this area. Students allocated to band instruments can look forward to an equally enriching and rewarding musical journey.

Commitment & Expectations
Regardless of the instrument your child is assigned, daily practice, punctual attendance, and self-motivation are essential. Music is one of the largest and most collaborative teams your child may be part of at school, and every student plays a vital role in the group’s success.

There is a financial contribution required to participate, as outlined in the initial information sent via email in June. Please note: after the first year of school instrument hire, families are expected to purchase their own instrument. School-hired instruments will be reallocated to new recruits each year.

We frequently advertise quality second-hand instruments in our Music Notes newsletter, many of which come from past students upgrading for high school ensembles. A well-cared-for instrument can last for generations—one of our colleagues still plays a family violin that is over 300 years old!

What’s Next?
Letters of offer will be sent out by the end of this term. Families of successful applicants will be invited and expected to attend an Information Evening, where we will outline expectations, next steps, and the exciting year ahead.

We’re incredibly excited to welcome a new generation of music students into our program and can’t wait to see them discover the joy, discipline, and lifelong benefits of learning a musical instrument.

Final Notes on Selection
While we would love to offer a place to every interested student, our program is limited by the availability of specialist teachers and appropriate teaching spaces. As outlined by the Department of Education Queensland, instrumental music programs must operate within staffing and resource allocations.

The selection process is thorough and considers a range of factors. Teachers assess students' focus, listening skills, physical suitability for various instruments, and ability to produce sound. Attendance and academic engagement are also considered, as consistent participation is essential. Once accepted, students must commit to weekly lessons and a rehearsal schedule as part of their ensemble responsibilities.

Learning an instrument is a significant but rewarding commitment. It builds resilience, teamwork, time management, and confidence. Performing with an ensemble is a fun and memorable experience—and many students form lifelong friendships through music. The skills developed through instrumental music support students well into high school and beyond—both academically and personally.

We look forward to seeing the next generation of young musicians rise to the challenge and embrace the joy of learning an instrument in 2026!