The Arts - Music

PoPArts Committee

Last Monday, 16th February, our wonderful PoPArts Committee met for the first time in 2026, and they are ready for another year supporting of fantastic Arts programs here at the high school. New members are always welcome - please reach out to the secretary, Steve Williams, to find out how you can be involved: secretary@poparts.tgshspandc.org.au

Instrumental Music

Music Camp - Lake Ainsworth - 9-11 February

Our intermediate and advanced ensemble students had a fantastic time at their annual Music Camp last week. 

128 students and 13 teachers and tutors travelled down to beautiful Lennox Heads for three days of music making and team building at Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre. 

The camp aims to balance time on ensemble and sectional rehearsals for Amadeus, Paganini, Arcadia, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds and Big Band as well as recreational activities in our ensemble groups. 

This year the students enjoyed raft building (including a Shark Tank presentation selling their craft and serious testing in the pool); Archery and Archery Tag; Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding on serene Lake Ainsworth. They enjoyed beach walks and down time playing soccer and other games at the camp. 

One of the highlights this year was the incredibly well organised Scavenger Hunt held on the first night of camp. The Year 11s really challenged the student groups with puzzles and activities, all leading to the final task - it was fantastic to see everyone working together to achieve their goal and glory! In the end it was the Year 12 girls who took the honours with the Year 12 boys coming a close second. 

On second night all the students stunned and amazed in their Trivia Night Group costumes. The Year 12s were suited up as Musical characters (including the cast of Shrek, Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera, The Greatest Showman and Willy Wonka) and hosted 5 hotly contested rounds of trivia. 

Congratulations to the Murder team who took out the prize and to both Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz for the costume prizes. Thank you to all the staff who attended - Mrs Forgan, Ms Fawns, Mrs Zhang, Mr Jarrott, Ms Dargusch, Ms Kim, Mr James, Mr Mears, Mr Hoey, Mr Hartog, Mr Messenger and Ms Davis - we are so grateful for the time you give up with your own families to make this camp such a success every year. 

Instrumental Music Extension opportunities - 2026

SHEP - State Honours Ensemble Program - LAST CALL for nominations

School nominations for SHEP are closing soon. Please see the application information below and attached (including Instrumental Music/AMEB level). 

SHEP - Nominations are open for SHEP 2026: Sth-East QLD, Brisbane, and QLD. 

These programs are held at QLD Conservatorium, Griffith University, South Brisbane. 

Nominations for the 2026 State Honours Ensemble Program 2026 are due to Ms McMullen by February 27.

Program Dates:

SHEP Brisbane: Friday May 29 – Sunday May 31

SHEP South-East QLD: Thursday July 9 – Saturday July 11

SHEP QLD: Thursday October 1 – Sunday October 4

Criteria:

Instrumental: Students in years 7 - 12: AMEB 2 and above, Students in years 5 and 6 need to be at AMEB 4 and above

Vocal: Students in years 7 – 12 and Year 6 students at AMEB 1 or above

Creative Generation - State Schools on Stage

Nominations for CGEN 2026 are now open and we will be nominating instrumental music students for the Symphony Orchestra and Big Band and Solo/Featured items only.

Please note that students need to be performing at a fairly high level (IM Level 8 or above) to be successful in their nomination - please check with your IM teacher for your level or check last semester’s report card.

Performances will be staged at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 16, Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July 2026 with rehearsals happening on weekends and the holidays beforehand.  

To nominate, please complete a Student Expression of Interest form and return it to Ms McMullen asap.

Nominations deadlines are as follows:

Nominations close for all categories except instrumental: Friday 6 February 2026

Nominations close for instrumental categories: Friday 13 February 2026

Please have your nominations in to Ms McMullen two days before these cutoffs as it takes some time to process all the information and upload audition videos.

All nomination details are also outlined on the CGEN website. 

VoiceWorx Choir

This is a choir for everyone... just turn up!

Bring yourselves and a singing voice (no judgement, just fun singing together – no one needs to sing on their own, but there are sometimes solos for people who put their hand up)!

The Gap Spotlight

The Gap Spotlight is your opportunity to perform to an audience at The Gap State High school! 

Performances will be:

When: Wednesday on Week 2 | Week 4 | Week 6 | Week 8 | Week 10 (even weeks)

Time: 11.00am to 11.30am

Where: The Auditorium

• Performances can range from solo or group music performances, drama works, monologues or skits, dance routines, comedy acts, etc.
• Maximum of 5 minutes of performance

• Email: gapspotlight@thegapshs@eq.edu.au

  (Include name of song or work to be performed, including any lyrics and approximate time)

• Ms Smentek and Ms Dargusch will organise the performance timetable, which will be emailed to the performers during the week before hand. Email the teachers for more info and look out for the posters around the school. 

If you would like to check out the talented people around our school, please join us in the Auditorium as a respectful audience member.

Spotlight: Wednesday 18 February