Instrumental Music

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Brisbane State High School has one of the most comprehensive extra-curricular instrumental music programs in Queensland. The program encompasses orchestral string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

Every year, students audition and are placed in a compulsory ensemble, orchestra or concert band. Students may also be invited to participate in a non-compulsory jazz or chamber ensemble. Our school currently facilitates 18 performing ensembles in a variety of genres.

The proficiency level of the musical groups ranges from beginner to advanced. Public performance is an integral part of the program and all members are expected to attend performances. Student learning and equipment is supported by an active P&C Association sub-committee.

Instrumental Music Handbook

For more information about the Instrumental Music program, please download the 2026 Instrumental Music Handbook.pdf.

Lessons and rehearsals

Students participate in a weekly group lesson during school time with a qualified Instrumental Music teacher and a weekly ensemble rehearsals before or after school.

Rehearsal timetable

Please refer to the Instrumental Music - 2026 Rehearsal Schedule.pdf document.

Team App

We are using a smartphone app to facilitate easier communication between staff, students and parents. Team App is designed for use on smartphones (android and iPhone), iPads and iPods, and can also be viewed online. It is free to download and does not incur a membership fee. Team App keeps member contact details private and students cannot communicate with each other through the app.

To download, go to Team App:

Sign-up using your name, date of birth and email address. You'll be sent an email to confirm your registration.
Search for BSHS Instrumental Music and request access to the group students, teachers, or parents (whichever applies to you), and any relevant ensembles.
Once your request is approved you will be able to see news and upcoming Instrumental Music events.

2026 Calendar of Events

Instrumental music events for the year.
Date	Event	Ensemble
Friday 30 January	Year 7 Instrumental Music Orientation Session	New students in the program
Monday 9 February	Leadership and Learning Ceremony	Symphony Orchestra
TBC	Year 7 Instrumental Music Curriculum Information Night	Incoming Year 7 students and parents
Wednesday 25 March	QLD Ballet Viewing	Symphony Orchestra
Wednesday 1 April	String Chamber Music Concerts	Year 7 - 12 Chamber String Orchestras
Friday 3 April	National Band Championships	Symphonic Band Wind orchestra
Saturday 4 April	National Band Championships	Brass Band
Sunday 5 April	National Band Championships	Brass Band
Wednesday 22 April	Anzac Day Assembly	Brass Band
Thursday 21 April	WESS Anzac Day Ceremony	Trumpet players
Monday 27 April	Percussion Chamber Concert	Percussion Ensembles
Friday 1 May – Sunday 3 May	Music Camp 1	Symphonic Band Symphony Orchestra
Sunday 3 May – Tuesday 5 May	Music Camp 2	Wind Orchestra Cordelia String Orchestra
Wednesday 13 May	Semester One Concert 1 & 2	Symphony Orchestra Merivale String Orchestra Southbank String Orchestra Cordelia String Orchestra Highgate String Orchestra
Wednesday 20 May	Semester One Concert 3 & 4	Concert Winds Wind Ensemble Wind Orchestra Brass Band Stage Band Big Band
Thursday 21 May	Semester One Concert 5	Concert Band Symphonic Band
Friday 22 May Rescheduled from Wednesday 1 April	Symphony Orchestra & QLD Ballet Immersion	Symphony Orchestra
Friday 5 & Monday 8 June	Fanfare Heats	All ensembles
Saturday 20 June	Music & International Food Festival (MIFF)	All ensembles
Tuesday 23 June	Fanfare Regional Finals	Fractalia Percussion Ensemble Kurilpa String Orchestra Symphonic Band
Saturday 18 July	State High Day	Big Band Stage Band Flute Ensemble
Thursday 30 & Friday 31 July	2027 Music Merit Entry Auditions
Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 August	Intermediate Ensemble Music Day Camp	Southbank String Orchestra Highgate String Orchestra Merivale String Orchestra Wind Ensemble Wind Band Concert Band Concert Winds
Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 August	Australian Percussion Eisteddfod	Panigale Percussion Ensemble Fractalia Percussion Ensemble
Tuesday 25 August	2026 Extra-Curricular Showcase for 2027 Year 7s	Instrumental Music Leaders
Saturday 28 August	Music Fest	Symphony Orchestra Concert Band Wind Ensemble Concert Winds Wind Orchestra Symphonic Band
Sunday 29 August	Music Fest	South Bank String Orchestra Merivale String Orchestra Highgate String Orchestra Cordelia String Orchestra Stage Band Big Band
Friday 14 August	Fanfare State Finals	Kurilpa Sting Orchestra
Tuesday 1 September	MacGregor SS Workshop	Year 7 Chamber String Orchestra
Friday 9 October	Senior Farewell Concert	Year 12s Symphony Orchestra Symphonic Band
Week 3 – Junior Ensembles Commence
Wednesday 22 October	Extra-Curricular Awards Ceremony	TBC
TBC	Kurilpa String Orchestra - End of Year Concert	Kurilpa String Orchestra
TBA	Final rehearsal for Senior Graduation	TBC
Tuesday 18 November	Senior Graduation	TBC
TBC	Junior Graduation	TBC
Monday 25 November - Friday 27 November Originally scheduled in week 9.	Year 7 2027 Instrumental Music Auditions	Incoming Year 7s
Wednesday 25 November	Junior School End of Year Band Concert	Year 7 Band Year 8 Band Year 9 Band
Thursday 26 November	Junior School End of Year String Concert	Southbank String Orchestra Highgate String Orchestra Merivale String Orchestra Cordelia String Orchestra
TBC	Year 7 2025 Orientation Day	TBC

Calendar is subject to change - please refer to the Events Calendar on our website. Any changes to these dates will be communicated via Team App.

Instrumental Music Sub-Committee

The P&C Association Instrumental Music Sub-Committee meets at 7:00pm on the second Monday of the month, in the Performing Arts Centre (P Block) meeting room.

The Instrumental Music Sub-Committee is led by:

Chairperson – TBA (music-chair@bshspandc.org)
Vice Chair – Ms Rebecca Hsu
Secretary – Mr Derek Scott (music-secretary@bshspandc.org)
Treasurer – Mrs Heidi Ward (music-treasurer@bshspandc.org)
Vice Treasurer – Mr David Stewart

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