2023 Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival

The aim of the Festival is to provide a formal, non-competitive performance opportunity for ensembles that is a positive and encouraging experience.

The Festival is held in June, towards the end of Term 2 at Pittwater High School, with the Stage Band Festival at Harbord Public School. The entire festival is co-hosted by the Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Northern Beaches Orchestra, the Northern Beaches Symphonic Youth Band, and the Northern Beaches Concert Band, and all proceeds from the festival go back into community music.

Performances are held in small blocks of ensembles so that the students will have the opportunity to listen to other groups. Students remain in the hall with their ensemble for all the performances in their time allocation. (This will be approximately 1-1.6 hours in total). This gives every ensemble performing a large and interested audience.

Schools entering more than one ensemble will have each one programmed in a separate block. The intention is for students and their families to have the opportunity to listen to groups from other schools. Within each block we will also vary the nominated levels of the ensembles to avoid direct comparisons. While professional feedback is provided this is not a competition but a festival celebrating our music making on the Northern Beaches and beyond.

Each ensemble will perform 3 pieces at an appropriate grade. Their performance will be recorded for their future use and a short workshop by an experienced appraiser will be held on stage at the conclusion of their performance. The appraiser also makes comment on the recording.

Availability of tickets.

Non performing audience members can purchase tickets at the door for $5.00 per adult, $3.00 concession or $10.00 per family. These tickets are valid for the entire festival and entitle the holder to entry to the Gala Concert. Tickets are not available for pre-purchase.

Application form

Applications for the 2023 Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival are now closed. If you have any questions regarding your applications, please contact the Secretary.

List of participants (as at 4 May 2023)

Strings

Community Ensembles

  • Johnston Studio Suzuki Ensemble (Deborah Johnston)
  • Northern Beaches Orchestra (Dr Martin Hardy)
  • Northern Beaches Youth Orchestra (Bec Hildebrandt)

High School Ensembles

  • Cammeraygal High School String Orchestra (Sarah Qiu)
  • German International School Sydney Senior Strings (Janine Boubbov)
  • Killara High School Junior String Ensemble (Maryana Sywak)
  • Killarney Heights High School Chamber Orchestra (Adrian Keating)
  • Pittwater High School Advanced Strings (Karen Leimbach)
  • Pittwater High School String Orchestra (Karen Leimbach)
  • St Ives High School String Ensemble (Genevieve Andresson)
  • St Luke's Grammar School Orchestra (Stephen Buchanan)
  • St Luke's Grammar School Senior String Ensemble (Stephen Buchanan)
  • Sydney Girls High School Symphony Orchestra (Sarah Qiu)

Primary School Ensembles

  • Dee Why Public School Mezzo Strings (Robyn Phelan)
  • Dee Why Public School Poco Strings (Yenny Johnson)
  • Dee Why Public School String Orchestra (Yenny Johnson)
  • Elanora Heights Public School Mezzo Strings (Beth Scott)
  • Elanora Heights Public School String Beans (Beth Scott)
  • Forestville Public School Beginner Strings (Pip Birkett)
  • Forestville Public School Senior Strings (Rowena Macneish)
  • German International School Sydney Junior Strings (Janine Boubbov)
  • Killarney Heights Public School Beginner Strings (Chris Carey)
  • Killarney Heights Public School Intermediate Strings (Annabelle Kim)
  • Killarney Heights Public School Senior Strings (Annabelle Kim)
  • Middle Harbour Public School Junior Strings (Miranda Ilchef)
  • Middle Harbour Public school Senior String Ensemble (Will Hansen)
  • Mona Vale Public School 3-6 String Orchestra (Jade Darby)
  • Mona Vale Public School 5/6 String Orchestra (Jade Darby)
  • Mona Vale Public School Beginner Strings (Jade Darby)
  • Newport Public School Beginner Strings (Kim Grosser)
  • Newport Public School Newport School Elementary Violins (Anne Holdik)
  • Newport Public School String Orchestra (KarenLeimbach)
  • Pennant Hills Public School String Ensemble (Sarah Qiu)

Concert Bands

Community Ensembles

  • North Shore Community Band (Sarah Shaw)
  • Northern Beaches Concert Band (Sarah Shaw)
  • Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Dr Martin Hardy)
  • Northern Beaches Symphonic Youth Band (Jennifer Power)
  • Sydney North Public Schools Band Program Concert Band (Lemin Luu)

High School Ensembles

  • Barrenjoey High School Concert Band (Joshua Hughes)
  • Cammeraygal High School Concert Band (Jennifer Power)
  • Glenaeon Steiner School Concert Band (Christine Young)
  • Hornsby Girls' High School Concert Band (Lara Sholl)
  • Killara High School Concert Band 2 (Timothy Collins)
  • Killarney Heights High School Concert Band (Derek Barg)
  • Mater Maria Catholic College Concert Band (Klara Anne Hollestelle-Watson)
  • Narrabeen Sports High School Concert Band (Julie Olzomer)
  • Northern Beaches Christian School Senior Concert Band (Dani Cosford)
  • Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus Concert Band (Marc Rolet)
  • Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus Concert Band (Vanessa Patterson)
  • Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Vanessa Patterson)
  • Pittwater High School Concert Band (Sophie Bromley)
  • Pittwater High School Symphonic Band (Dr Martin Hardy)
  • St Ives High School Concert Band Two (Kristen Bergersen)
  • St Luke's Grammar School Concert Band (Stephen Buchanan)
  • Stella Maris College Performance Band (Jessica Maker)
  • Sydney North Public Schools Band Program Symphonic Band (Lemin Luu)
  • The Forest High Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Lemin Luu)
  • The Pittwater House Schools Senior Concert Band (David Cosentino)

Primary School Ensembles

  • Allambie Heights Public School Concert Band (Surrey Hodges)
  • Allambie Heights Public School Performance Band (Surrey Hodges)
  • Allambie Heights Public School Training Band (Surrey Hodges)
  • Avalon Public School Concert Band (Charles Wilkinson)
  • Avalon Public School Performance Band (Charles Wilkinson)
  • Avalon Public School Senior Band (Charles Wilkinson)
  • Avalon Public School Training Band (Charles Wilkinson)
  • Balgowlah North Public School Concert Band (Mark Strykowski)
  • Balgowlah North Public School Junior Band (Mark Strykowski)
  • Balgowlah North Public School Senior Band (Angus Bullough)
  • Beacon Hill Public School Concert Band (Phil Keyzer)
  • Beacon Hill Public School Intermediate Band (Phil Keyzer)
  • Beacon Hill Public School Junior Band (Phil Keyzer)
  • Belrose Public School Performance Band (Katie Anderson)
  • Belrose Public School Training Band (Felicity Stanwell)
  • Bilgola Plateau Public School Junior Band (Colden Anderson)
  • Bilgola Plateau Public School Senior Band (Colden Anderson)
  • Brookvale Public School Concert Band (Raylie-Anne Baldock)
  • Brookvale Public School Junior Band (Raylie-Anne Baldock)
  • Cammeray Public School Concert Band (Robert Sidaway)
  • Cammeray Public School Intermediate Band (Robert Sidaway)
  • Cammeray Public School Junior Band (Robert Sidaway)
  • Collaroy Plateau Public School Concert Band (James Power)
  • Collaroy Plateau Public School Performance Band (Kylie Tyson)
  • Collaroy Plateau Public School Training Band (Kylie Tyson)
  • Cromer Public School Intermediate band (Matt O'Brien)
  • Cromer Public School Senior band (Matt O'Brien)
  • Cromer Public School Training band (Matt O'Brien)
  • Curl Curl North Public School Performance Band (Matt O'Brien)
  • Curl Curl North Public School Training Band (Surrey Hodges)
  • Dee Why Public School Concert Band (Sasha Shargh)
  • Dee Why Public School Training Band (Sasha Shargh)
  • Elanora Heights Public School Senior Band (Tim Doubinski)
  • Elanora Heights Public School Training Band (Tim Doubinski)
  • Forestville Public School Concert Band (Derek Barg)
  • Forestville Public School Intermediate Band (Kirrily Swatton)
  • Forestville Public School Training Band (Kirrily Swatton)
  • Frenchs Forest Public School Concert Band (Raylie-Anne Baldock)
  • Frenchs Forest Public School Junior Band (Raylie-Anne Baldock)
  • Harbord Public School Concert Band 1 (Sandie Rose-Castle)
  • Harbord Public School Concert Band 2 (Senior Band) (Mark Strykowski and Sandie Rose-Castle)
  • Harbord Public School Intermediate Band (Andrew Laurich and Sandie Rose-Castle)
  • Harbord Public School Junior Band (training) (Mark Strykowski and Sandie Rose-Castle)
  • Hornsby Heights Public School Concert Band (Dave Odams)
  • Hornsby Heights Public School Performance Band (Dave Odams)
  • Hornsby Heights Public School Training Band (Alex Kirk)
  • Killarney Heights Public School Performance Band (Derek Barg)
  • Killarney Heights Public School Training Band (Derek Barg)
  • Manly Vale Public School Intermediate Band (Ben Dickson)
  • Manly Vale Public School Junior Band (Surrey Hodges)
  • Manly Vale Public School Senior Band (Ben Dickson)
  • Manly West Public School Concert Band (Penelope Coucill)
  • Manly West Public School Intermediate Band (Penelope Coucill)
  • Manly West Public School Performance Band (Penelope Coucill)
  • Manly West Public School Training Band (Penelope Coucill)
  • Mona Vale Public School Concert Band (Jacqui Shaw)
  • Mona Vale Public School Training Band (Jacqui Shaw)
  • Narrabeen Lakes Public School Senior Band (Jennifer Power)
  • Narrabeen Lakes Public School Training Band (Jennifer Power)
  • Narrabeen North Public School Concert Band (Janella Fyfe)
  • Narrabeen North Public School Training Band (Janella Fyfe)
  • Narraweena Public School Concert Band (Mark Stevens)
  • Narraweena Public School Training Band (Mark Stevens)
  • Newport Public School Performance Band (Tom Dayer)
  • Normanhurst West Public School Intermediate Concert Band (Dr Luis Madrid)
  • Normanhurst West Public School Senior Concert Band (Dave Odams)
  • Normanhurst West Public School Training Band (Dave Odams)
  • Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School Performance Band (Janella Fyfe)
  • Pennant Hills Public School Intermediate Concert Band (Rose Foster)
  • Pennant Hills Public School Senior Concert Band (Dave Odams)
  • Pennant Hills Public School Training Band (Rose Foster)
  • Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Combined junior and senior concert band (Ben - Evergreen music)
  • Seaforth Public School Performance Band (Lemin Luu)
  • Seaforth Public School Training Band (Lemin Luu)
  • St Ives North Public School Senior Concert Band (Dr Luis Madrid)
  • St Rose Catholic Primary School Concert Band (Suzy Milton)
  • The Pittwater House Schools Junior Band (Bec Heather)
  • Wakehurst Public School Concert Band (Dani Cosgrove)
  • Wakehurst Public School Training Band (Dani Cosgrove)

Stage Bands

Community Ensembles

  • Collaroy Plateau Public School Alumni Stage Band (James Power)
  • Northern Beaches Big Band (Joshua Hughes)
  • Sydney North Public Schools Band Program Jazz Ensemble (Timothy Collins)

High School Ensembles

  • Barrenjoey High School Stage Band (Fiona Gudmunson)
  • Cammeraygal High School Stage Band (Ann Boyle)
  • Killara High School Stage Band 2 (Bob Coassin)
  • Killareny Heights High School Stage Band (John Pennings)
  • Northern Beaches Christian School Jazz Ensemble (Joshua Hughes)
  • Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus Stage Band (Marc Rolet)
  • Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus Stage Band (Vanessa Patterson)
  • Pittwater High School Big Band (John Pennings)
  • Pittwater High School Stage Band (John Pennings)
  • St Ives High School Jazz Combo (Sally Cooper)
  • The Pittwater House Schools Stage Band (John Pennings)

Primary School Ensembles

  • Allambie Heights Public School Jazz Band (Surrey Hodges)
  • Cammeray Public School Big Band (Robert Sidaway)
  • Cammeray Public School Stage Band (Robert Sidaway)
  • Collaroy Plateau Public School Jazz Band (James Power)
  • Forestville Public School Jazz band (Derek Barg)
  • Harbord Public School Jazz Band (Sandie Rose-Castle)
  • Killarney Heights Public School Jazz band (Derek Barg)
  • Narrabeen Lakes Public School Jazz Band (Lachlan Power)
  • Normanhurst West Public School Jazz Band (Dave Odams)

Festival Information for Participating Ensemble Directors

Ensemble members MUST arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the session they are performing in. Please let them know that parking can be difficult so to allow time. Arrange to meet outside the hall at Pittwater High School. You will be directed to storage for instrument cases. There are short breaks between sessions to facilitate movement in and out of the hall. Musicians will be required to sit with their ensemble for the entire session (approx 80 minutes in most cases).

There will be a short allocated time period for each ensemble to tune in the holding room. Please keep the scheduled time as other ensembles will need to tune after yours. A quick warm up on stage is permissible. Please make sure all electronic instruments are in tune prior to getting on to the stage.

Ensembles will move from hall seating straight on to the stage to perform, do a short workshop and then return to their seats until released at the end of the session. It is expected that performers will NOT leave the hall so that all ensembles have a full and interested audience. We have made the sessions fairly short for this reason. Please stress this to parents, as they are inclined to try to remove their child as soon as they have performed.

Non performing audience members can purchase tickets at the door for $5.00 per adult, $3.00 concession or $10.00 per family. These tickets are valid for the entire festival and entitle the holder to entry to the Gala Concert.

Please supply a labelled photocopy of your scores for use by the appraiser prior to the start of your session. These should be given to the appraiser's desk on arrival. This will be returned to you with notes/recording. In addition each ensemble will receive a plaque in recognition of their participation.

Encourage your ensemble members to recognise, respect and appreciate the efforts made by the other ensembles. We have deliberately timetabled the sessions so that a variety of levels of ensembles perform in each session.

Please be mindful of the time limitations and be as efficient as possible in organising your ensemble on and off stage. Members of the NBSWE, NBO, NBSYB and NBCB will be acting as ushers and stage hands to assist you with this.

Light refreshments will be available throughout the festival at the canteen.

Finally... don't get too stressed and feel free to ask for help from our experienced musical crew. This festival is about celebrating music on the Northern Beaches and is meant to be a fun and positive experience for all involved!

Sponsors

The Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival is co-hosted by the Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Northern Beaches Orchestra, the Northern Beaches Symphonic Youth Band and the Northern Beaches Concert Band. It has been kindly supported by Mona Vale Music (www.monavalemusic.com), who provide recording facilities and post production for a reference copy of each ensemble's performance, along with the appraiser's comments. The Festival is also sponsored by Pittwater High School (pittwater-h.schools.nsw.gov.au), Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus (nbsccromer-h.schools.nsw.gov.au) and Harbord Public School (harbord-p.schools.nsw.gov.au), who kindly allow use of their facilities and equipment.

History

The Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival was first held in June 2012 as an afternoon event. It was so popular that in August of the same year, a two day Festival was held to allow other bands to take part. In 2013, the Festival added a whole day of Strings and Orchestras, under the guidance of the Northern Beaches Orchestra. The Festival continued to grow, and in 2014 was held over four days. In 2015, we celebrated the addition of Stage Bands to the Festival. Now in its twelth year, the Festival has become one of the main performance focuses for Concert Bands, Stage Bands and String Ensembles on the Northern Beaches.