VSMF
Victorian School Music Festival
The Victorian School Music Festival involves school bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles and choirs in performing in some of Victoria’s premier performing spaces – Hawthorn Arts Centre, Christian College Geelong and many others.
Performing at VSMF is the full sensory experience with young musicians performing on stage in their ensemble, receiving given immediate feedback on stage from a highly skilled adjudicator. Participants are involved in listening to others in performance, watching how it can be done differently with opportunities to analyse their own performance back at school by listening to the recording and watching the video provided. Teachers can measure how their students change when under the pressure of a real performance. Watch your students transform as an adjudicator works with them (perhaps even repeating what you say…?) and see their eyes light up when they realise how well they can play when working together for the same goal.
After their performance, conductors are given the opportunity to work backstage with a skilled conducting clinician, reviewing video footage and engaging in conversation.
Generations in Jazz
Jazz music may have its roots in places like New Orleans and New York, but its influence reaches around the globe. Mount Gambier, in South Australia’s Limestone Coast, is Australia’s hotspot for this high-energy sound – largely thanks to a unique annual event called Generations in Jazz (GIJ).
Established in 1987, this spectacular gathering on the outskirts of the city, made famous for its Blue Lake, not only attracts the jazz legends of today but also the bright stars of tomorrow.
Generations in Jazz holds a special place in the jazz culture of Australia, where one generation of brilliant musicians inspires the next, and aspiring musicians get a taste of life as professional musicians. It’s where like-minded individuals gather to learn from each other, study, and perform.
Big Band Blast
Big Band Blast is a conference style festival run by musicians for musicians.
Launched in 2013, Blast is the brainchild of drummer and big band leader John Morrison and is run by John and big band singer, Jacki Cooper.
In 2024, Blast is back in Bathurst at the Charles Sturt University campus on the weekend of May 24th to 26th and in Wagga Wagga at the Riverina Conservatorium of Music on the weekend of June 14th to 16th.
Big Band Blast, Australia’s ultimate Big Band festival, is a conference event open to high school, university and community big bands of all abilities.
The event begins with a Friday night welcome concert featuring guest big bands and our guest clincians.
On Saturday there will be 4 workshop rooms that bands will rotate through, and a performance space for bands to “strut their stuff” in a short set and receive feedback from a professional big band clinician.
The Saturday night concert will feature performances by our special guests.
The final session will be run like a mini-festival with each band playing their 20 min set on 4 stages.
Big Band Blast is a conference style festival that is fun by musicians for musicians. Registration is $1500 per band and covers up to 20 participants including teachers and support staff.
Accommodation is arranged by each band with many options available in Bathurst and Wagga Wagga.
Big Band Sunsets
http://www.bigbandsunsets.com.au
Big Band Sunsets is Australia’s happiest big band festivals, curated by MoJO, held annually since 2005.
Situated on the Mordialloc foreshore each Saturday afternoon in February, Big Band Sunsets is a free event that sees local school bands, plus upcoming and established big bands from across Melbourne perform for the local community, with free swing lessons too! Each week culminates with MoJO and guest artists, showcasing a mix of local, national and international talent.
Bring a picnic along and enjoy the afternoon’s entertainment, free every week.
SA School Band and Orchestra Festival
Band & Orchestra Festival — Aboda SA
2024 SA School Band and Orchestra Festival
August 13, 14, 15, 16 – Westminster School
Michael Murray Centre for Performing Arts
ABODA SA is proud to once again present the SA School Band and Orchestra Festival, where over 3000 students from nearly 40 schools will perform at Westminster School over 4 days.
2024 Schedule changes
In 2024, the SA School Band and Orchestra Festival will run over four days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) at Westminster School.
Brisbane Youth Jazz festival
Brisbane Youth Jazz Festival | Brisbane Jazz Club
An impressive new generation of jazz
This festival is a niche space for young, emerging jazz musicians. It’s tailored to the aspirations of the next generation of professional musicians.
Performing in front of a live audience in a professional venue does a lot for building confidence and gaining maturity as musicians. We’ve seen that happen time and again. This festival enables young people to take their skills to the next level in a non-competitive atmosphere, giving them an opportunity to shine.
Western Australian Schools’ Jazz Festival
Western Australian Schools’ Jazz Festival – Department of Education
The 29th Western Australian Schools’ Jazz Festival is run in conjunction with the Australian Jazz Education Association (AJEA).
Event details
Date: Sunday 11 August 2024.
Venue: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Edith Cowan University
Eligibility: There are two ensemble categories in the festival. The combo category is designed for smaller jazz groups with 8 players or less. In the full ensemble category there are 3 divisions.
- Division 1 – ensembles who perform repertoire at or above level 3.
- Division 2 – ensembles who perform repertoire at level 2-3.
- Division 3 – ensembles who perform repertoire at or below level 1-2.
Participating non-government schools must hold a current APRA license. Public schools are covered by the Department of Education’s license.
Applications: Applications open Week 4, Term 1 on 19 February 2024. There is additional information about the festival for directors.