content-left-bg.png
content-right-bg.png

Instrumental Music

WebPartZone1_1
PublishingPageContent

​​​​​​​​​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 Hand​book

For more information about the Instrumental Music program, please download the Instrumental Music Handbook (PDF, 763 KB).

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 - 2025 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:

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

Calendar of Events

Instrumental music events for the year.
Date Event Ensemble

2024​

​​Monday 25 - 29 November 
Not including Tuesday 26 November 
Year 7 2025 Auditions
​
​Wednesday 27 November 

Junior School End of Year Band Concert 
​Year 7 Band
Year 8 Band 
Year 9 Band 
​Thursday 28 November 
Junior End of Year String Concert 
​Southbank String Orchestra 
Highgate String Orchestra 
Merivale String Orchestra 
Cordelia String Orchestra 
​TBA
​Year 7 2025 Orientation Day 
​Chamber Orchestra 

​2025 

Friday 31 January 

​Year 7 Instrumental Music Orientation Session
​New students in the program​
Tuesday 18 February 
Leadership and Learning Ceremony
TBA
​TBA 
​Year 7 Instrumental Music Curriculum Information Night
​Incoming Year 7 students and parents 
Wednesday 2 April 
Band Chamber Music Concerts 
Selected Woodwind, Brass and Percussion students 
Thursday 3 April
String Chamber Music Concerts 
Year 7 - 12 Chamber Orchestras 
TBA 

Anzac Day Assembly 

TBA

Friday 2 May – Sunday 4 May
Music Camp 1

Symphonic Band
Symphony Orchestra 

Sunday 4  May – Tuesday 6 May

Music Camp 2
Wind Orchestra
Cordelia String Orchestra
​Wednesday 14 May
​QLD Ballet Immersion
​Symphony Orchestra 
Thursday 15​ May
Semester One Concert 1 & 2

Symphony Orchestra
Merivale String Orchestra
Southbank String Orchestra
Cordelia String Orchestra
Highgate String Orchestra

​Wednesday 21 May


Semester One Concert 3 & 4 
Concert Winds
Wind Ensemble
Wind Orchestra
Stage Band
Big Band
​Thursday 22 May 
​Semester One Concert 5 
​Concert Band 
Symphonic Band 

​Wednesday 28 May
​Kurilpa String & Camerata Combined Concert 
​Kurilpa String Orchestra 
​Thursday 31 July & Friday 1 August 

2026 Selective Entry Music Merit Auditions 
​
​Saturday​ 2 August 
​State High Day 

​
​Saturday 2 August 
​Australian Percussion Eisteddfod 
​Panigale Percussion Ensemble 
Fractalia Percussion Ensemble 
​Saturday 9 August and Sunday 10 August


Intermediate Ensemble Music Day Camp​
Southbank String Orchestra
Highgate String Orchestra
Merivale String Orchestra
Wind Ensemble 
Wind Band
Concert Band
Concert Winds
​Sunday 17 August 
​Stuttgart Youth Chamber Orchestra Concert 
​Kurilpa String Orchestra 
Tuesday 19 August 
​Music Fest
Stage Band 
Big Band 
Saturday 30 August 
​Music Fest 
​Concert Winds
Wind Ensemble 
Concert Band 
Wind Orchestra 
Symphonic Band 
​Sunday 31 August 

​Music Fest 
​Symphony Orchestra 
Highgate String Orchestra 
Merivale String Orchestra 
 Southbank String Orchestra ​
TBA 
​2025 Extra-Curricular Showcase for 2026 Year 7s
​Instrumental Music Leaders 
​Saturday 13 September 
​Music & International Food Festival 
​All Instrumental Music Ensembles 
Friday 10 October



Senior Farewell Concert 
Year 12s 
Symphony Orchestra
Symphonic Band
Week 3 –​ Junior Ensembles Commence ​ ​
TBA 
Final rehearsal for Senior Graduation
TBA 
TBA 
Senior Graduation
TBA

TBA 

Junior Graduation​TBA
​Wednesday 26 November

Junior School End of Year Band Concert ​​Year 7 Band
Year 8 Band
Year 9 Band

​​Thursday​ 27 November
​Junior School End of Year String Concert​​
​Southbank String Orchestra
Highgate String Orchestra
Merivale String Orchestra
Cordelia String Orchestra ​
​TBA 
Year 7 2025 Orientation Day 
TBA 

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:

WebPartZone1_2
WebPartZone2_1
WebPartZone2_2
WebPartZone2_3
WebPartZone3_1
WebPartZone3_2
WebPartZone3_3
WebPartZone3_4
WebPartZone4_1
WebPartZone5_1
WebPartZone5_2
WebPartZone6_1
WebPartZone6_2
WebPartZone7_1
WebPartZone7_2
WebPartZone8_1
WebPartZone8_2
WebPartZone9_1
Last reviewed 11 June 2025
Last updated 11 June 2025