Music News
Music Program - Choirs & Ensembles
Welcome to the 2026 school year! We are excited to launch our instrument ensembles and auditions, and will also share further information soon regarding choir opportunities. Please continue to check the newsletter for updates on the music program.
Music Program Information Evening
Please mark your calendars Music Program Information Evening taking place on Thursday 19 February 2026, 5:00pm at the School Hall. This is a session for families considering the music program for choir, music ensembles, and expressions of interest for instrument lessons. This session will be informative particularly for students new to the music program and/or new to the school.
Please RSVP for the Music Program Information Evening if you are interested in learning more about the program:
Choirs
We will be offering choirs once again this year, thanks to the dedication of our teacher directors.
- Stage 1 Choir (Years 1 & 2) will be available on application
- Years 3-6 Choirs will be formed via audition and student selection
Expressions of Interest for Years 3-6 Choirs: Links Published Next Week
Years 3-6 Choirs are selected by audition, with limited spaces in each choir.
An Expression of Interest will open for each of the choirs in this coming week, Term 1 Week 4. The expression of interest information will be sent to each respective year group via School Bytes at the beginning of Week 4 (week commencing 16 February).
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 the deadline.
Details regarding the choirs will be 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.
Expressions of Interest for Stage 1 Choir: Link Published Next Week
Stage 1 Choir will be formed by student application, with limited spaces available.
An Expression of Interest will open for the choir in the coming week, Term 1 Week 4. The expression of interest information will be sent to Years 1 and 2 families via School Bytes at the beginning of Week 4 (week commencing 16 February).
Ensembles Commencing Term 1 Week 4
The following ensembles launch in Term 1 Week 4 (week commencing 16 February) for returning students:
| Ensembles Commence for Returning Students | |
|---|---|
| Concert Band | Commences Monday 16 February, 8:00am-8:40am in the Hall *Revised timetable for the first two weeks of rehearsal, to allow for auditions |
| Training Band | Commences Thursday 19 February, 8:00am-8:40am in the Hall *Revised timetable for the first two weeks of rehearsal, to allow for auditions |
| Guitar Ensemble | Commences Monday 16 February, 3:05pm at B Block |
| Junior Chinese Music Ensemble | Commences Wednesday 18 February, 3:05pm in B Block Music Room |
| Advanced Chinese Music Ensemble | Commences Thursday 19 February, 3:05pm in B Block Music Room |
| Intermediate Strings | Commences Wednesday 18 February, 8:00am-8:40am in B Block Music Room *Revised timetable for the first two weeks of rehearsal, to allow for auditions |
| String Group | Commences Thursday 19 February, 8:00am-8:40am in the Hall *Revised timetable for the first two weeks of rehearsal, to allow for auditions |
| Stepping Stones | Commences Friday 20 February, 8:00am-8:40am in B Block Music Room *Revised timetable for the first two weeks of rehearsal, to allow for auditions |
| Orchestra | No rehearsal in Week 4 due to auditions |
| Chamber String Ensemble | No rehearsal in Week 4 due to auditions |
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. The link to this Music Program EOI form will be published in the Week 5 newsletter.
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 forthcoming 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 interestedin 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:
- 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 4 mornings before school.
- 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.