Music News

Music Program Information Evening 

Thank you to the families who were able to join us this week at the Music Program Information Evening, with an overview of the CPS extracurricular opportunities in choir, music ensembles, and expressions of interest for instrument lessons. 

Please find a summary of the information from the session at the following link: 

Years 3-6 Choirs - Expressions of Interest Now Due

We are excited to offer year-based choirs in Years 3-6, thanks to the dedication of our teacher directors. 

Years 3-6 Choirs will be formed via audition and student selection, as spaces in each choir are limited.

Years 3-6 Choir Expressions of Interest are now open. Please refer to your email from 18 February and/or the School Bytes Parent Portal (Activities tab) for the link to the relevant choir EOI permission note. 

Please note, Years 3-6 Choir Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 23 February 2026, 11:59pm, in order for a student to be signed up for the choir auditions. 

Years 3-6 Choir Auditions will take place next week, from 24-26 February.  

Details regarding the choirs are included in the expression of interest form, including the weekly rehearsal information, performance schedule as available at this time, and outline of audition dates and criteria. Choir commitment includes active participation in weekly rehearsals at school, participation in the combined schools rehearsals and the relevant festival performance.

Students who are interested in auditioning for Years 3-6 Choirs will need to discuss the opportunity with their family, and sign up for an audition via the Expression of Interest form prior to 23 February deadline. 

Stage 1 Choir (Years 1 & 2) - Expressions of Interest Open Soon

We are excited to offer Stage 1 Choir (Years 1 & 2) as well. Stage 1 Choir will be available on application, with limited spaces. An Expression of Interest form link will be sent via email to all Year 1 and Year 2 families in the coming week. 

Choir commitment includes active participation in weekly rehearsals at school, participation in the combined schools rehearsals and the relevant festival performance.

Music Instrument Ensembles & Lessons - Expressions of Interest Now Open

Thank you in advance for sharing an interest in instrument lessons or instrument ensembles. 

Kindly submit an expression of interest via the Google Form, via the following link:

The music program will begin to review expressions of interest on a rolling basis, and will endeavour to place students in the relevant music instrument ensemble. There is a place for almost every student in a CPS ensemble, based on their level of experience in playing an instrument and in being part of an ensemble group. Exceptions are held in the case of piano/keyboard and drum/percussion students, as these spaces are limited in a primary school band and ensemble structure. 

Similarly, we invite all interested students to submit an EOI for instrument lessons. Please note, lessons are available on a limited basis pending tutor availability and a mutually suitable timetable before/after school. We will also be engaging additional music tutors as informed by the EOI and level of interest in any given instrument. 

Ensemble Rehearsals Term 1 Week 5

The following ensembles launch in Term 1 Week 4 (week commencing 16 February) for returning students:

Music Ensembles

Following is an outline of the music instrument ensembles offered at Chatswood Public School. We have a broad range of ensembles led by amazing music directors, and will be keen to have new and returning members join ensembles this year. 

• Training Band: Beginning ensemble for students with at least 6 months of brass, wind and percussion instrument learning. 
• Concert Band: Ensemble work for students with a minimum of one year's instrument experience and ensemble experience. Positions may be audition based. 
• Guitar Ensemble: Ensemble work and solo development, for students with typically 2 years prior guitar learning.
• Junior Chinese Music Ensemble: Beginning and intermediate experience in Chinese music instruments, including guzheng, pipa, dize, erhu. 
• Advanced Chinese Music Ensemble: Advanced ensemble work in Chinese music instruments. Audition based. 
• Orchestra: Advanced ensemble including wind, brass and string instruments. Audition based. 
• Stepping Stones: Beginning string ensemble for students with at least 6 months of string instrument lessons. 
• Intermediate Strings: Intermediate level string ensemble for students with instrument learning and a level of ensemble experience.  
• String Group: Advanced string ensemble, with several years' experience in ensemble work and high level of individual instrument proficiency
• Chamber String Ensemble: Advanced string ensemble, with extensive experience in ensemble work and high level of individual instrument proficiency. Audition based. 

Joining an Ensemble

Students who are returning from last school year, are welcome to join the core ensembles as they resume rehearsals. 

Students new to Chatswood Public or new to ensembles at school are welcome, and are requested to complete an Expression of Interest online form. 

We are keen to welcome students to our range of ensembles; there is a place for almost every musician in the ensembles, with the exception of keyboard (piano) and percussion musicians due to the balance of parts in an ensemble. Please share your interest via the Music Program EOI form, and we will coordinate with the ensemble directors on the possibilities. 

Auditions for Advanced Ensembles

Our advanced ensembles include Jazz Band, Orchestra, Chamber String Ensemble and Advanced Chinese Music Ensemble. Selection to these ensembles is by audition with the music director(s). Students interested in auditioning for consideration will please have a proficiency of at least AMEB 3 or above, and will have extensive experience in ensemble work. Auditioning students will prepare their own selection of a short piece or segment, and will also participate in a sight reading exercise. 

To sign up for an audition:

1. Audition sign ups are posted on the Extra Curricular noticeboards in the Covered Cafe (outside A Block, in the Year 2 area). Audition times are still available for Week 5 mornings before school. 
2. Audition forms will be available at the student counter (green form). Please  bring a completed form to your audition, including student and parent signature. 

All students interested in auditioning will have an opportunity to do so; if the audition sign-ups are full, please contact the music program via the school office and we will work to find another available time. 

Please confer with your child before signing up for an audition or ensemble participation, to ensure that they wish to join and that they understand the commitment to an ensemble, with weekly rehearsals and individual practice at lessons and at home. 

Thank you for your interest in the extracurricular music program. 

External Music Learning Opportunities

Arts Unit - NSW Public Schools Boys Vocal Program (boys in Years 5-12)

The NSW Public Schools Boys Vocal Program, run by the Department of Education Arts Unit, is a fun, supportive, non-audition 3-day singing experience for students in Years 5 to 12.

The NSW PS Boys Vocal Program focuses on building vocal technique, singing in ensemble, and is open to male students in Y5-12 with all levels of singing experience. No audition is required. The ensemble will also record a selected track with professional sound engineers.

Sessions are held at Trackdown Studios at the Entertainment Quarter, on the following dates, during the school day: Workshop dates Term 2 Week 8 - Tuesday 9 June, Wednesday 10 June, Thursday 11 June 2026 from 9:00am - 2:30pm each day. 

Applications are now open, and close on Friday 22 May 2026:

artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/boys-vocal-program