Another busy term is nearly behind us, and as I reflect on the many wonderful performances by our students, I’m reminded of what makes Warrigal Road such a special place to teach. The enthusiasm and dedication our students bring — especially the extra time they spend practising — are what make our music program truly shine.

As we look ahead, please encourage your child to continue practising over the holidays. We have our school music concert coming up, and many of our groups will be participating in Music Fest, so ongoing rehearsal is key.

It's natural for things to get more challenging as we grow, but helping your child stay positive and persistent builds not just musical skill, but resilience and confidence too. Overcoming obstacles — even small ones — helps develop strong, capable learners.

“Practise as if you’re the worst. Perform as if you’re the best.”
(Or as we like to say: ‘Don’t stop until your neighbours know all your songs by heart!’)

Thank you for your continued support, and well done to all our young musicians for a fantastic term!

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

2026 Strings and Band Program – Expression of Interest Update

Thank you to all the students who expressed interest in joining the 2026 Strings and Band Instrumental Music Program. We’re excited to see such enthusiasm for music at our school! 

Selection Process & Next Steps
Letters regarding the outcome of the selection process will be sent home at the end of this week.

Please note that we follow a thorough and equitable selection process, based on the guidelines provided by the Queensland Department of Education's Instrumental Music Program (IMP). Our goal is to identify students who are ready for the commitment, responsibility, and focus required to be successful in learning an instrument.

Why not everyone is offered a place (yet)
While we would love to offer every interested student a place, this is not always possible. Instrumental learning requires:

• A high level of focus and attentiveness
• The ability to manage classroom learning alongside music commitments
• A strong level of maturity and readiness
• Students to be meeting or exceeding expectations in their academic work

In line with the IMP philosophy, we aim to ensure students are well-supported and positioned for success — emotionally, academically, and developmentally.

For Year 2 Students Not Selected This Year
If your child is currently in Year 2 and was not selected for 2026, we encourage you to apply again next year for the 2027 Band Program intake. This program has a wider variety of instruments and more available positions.

Another year can make a big difference in a child’s concentration, confidence, and desire to learn an instrument. We often see students thrive after a year of growth!

Keen to Start Learning Anyway?
If your child is very eager to start learning an instrument, we encourage you to explore private tuition options within the community. Some of our instrumental students began their learning journey with a private teacher and joined our school program in future years when positions became available.

Remember: instrumental music is a long-term journey, and places may become available as the years progress.

Information Evening
We look forward to meeting our 2026 instrumental recruits at the Information Evening in October. This will be an important opportunity to learn about expectations, meet the music team, and discuss instruments and timetables.

About Our Program
Our school has a strong, high-quality music program with clear expectations for students and families. Our instrumental teachers are:

• Experienced and actively involved in the professional music community
• Regularly engaged in professional development
• Passionate educators who bring out the best in each student

As with all things, consistent practice is the key to success. With dedication and support, your child will thrive musically and personally.

The Boys Chorus and Senior Choir need to know all of their words and music thoroughly for the pieces they will be performing at Music Fest in October. You have access to recordings—please use them to practise regularly and ensure you know your part inside and out.

Be sure to read the rehearsal schedule carefully so you are fully prepared for Week 1. Consistent practice and attention to the schedule will help us all have a successful start to the term.