WA Schools' Orchestra Festival

This event is run in partnership with the Australian Band and Orchestra Director's Association (WA). The 23rd WA Schools' Orchestra Festival will be held on Saturday, 11 August and Sunday, 12 August 2012.

Application forms will not be posted to schools.

Download the application form and tax invoice:
Apply Online.

Music Selections List 2012

Click on a link to view the Music Selections List for that division. Due to the increased number of selections, these lists will no longer be included in the downloadable application form.

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The aims of the Orchestra Festival are:

  • To give orchestras a performance opportunity at an outstanding venue.
  • To give orchestra members an opportunity to hear other orchestras perform.
  • To provide each orchestra with constructive comments from a panel of informed adjudicators.
  • To present to each orchestra a certificate which recognises its participation and standard of performance.

The festival is open to any independent or government school string or symphony orchestra, with divisions catering for young, unbalanced, orchestras to experienced senior orchestras.

Orchestras perform within a division with a panel of adjudicators providing written and spoken comments. At the conclusion of the Festival, orchestras receive a certificate with a grading of Outstanding, Excellent, Merit or Certificate of Participation. Novice Division orchestras can elect to opt in or out of being graded by ticking the appropriate box on the application form. All directors will also receive two recordings of their orchestra, including one with spoken adjudicator’s comments superimposed over the music.

Orchestras, including those in Novice Division, are expected to present an appropriate program of up to four pieces, which must include one piece from the Music Selections List, with a playing time of up to 15 minutes for ensembles in Novice and C Divisions and up to 20 minutes for B, A and Premier Divisions.

With the increasing number of middle school orchestras participating in recent Festivals, the concept of having ‘Primary’ and ‘Secondary’ divisions is no longer practical. The divisions and Music Selections List have been restructured to conform to the following standards:

Full Orchestra:

  • Premier Division = Grades 4 and above
  • A Division = Grades 3 and 3.5
  • B Division = Grades 2 and 2.5

String Orchestra:

  • Premier Division = Grades 4 and above
  • A Division = Grades 3 and 3.5
  • B Division = Grade 2.5
  • C Division = Grade 2
  • Novice Division = Grade 1.5 and below

Own-choice items must be of at least equal difficulty to those listed for the division the orchestra is performing in. Directors are advised to observe the published grade levels appropriate to each division in making additional selections. For more information or advice on repertoire selection contact James Charles at the School of Instrumental Music.

Please note:

  • Orchestras not presenting the required piece from the Music Selections List, or an own-choice item of too low a grade difficulty, will only be eligible to receive a Certificate of Participation.
  • While teachers or other adults are permitted to play in participating orchestras, the orchestra will only be eligible to receive a Certificate of Participation. This includes adults playing piano parts.
  • It is essential that the durations of pieces are entered accurately on the application form as this information is used to schedule performance times. Orchestras who go over their allocated performance times will only be eligible to receive a Certificate of Participation.

Many string orchestras perform at the Festival with violin and viola sections standing up. To ensure that each session runs with a minimum of seating changes, these ensembles will be scheduled to perform in succession. If you require your ensemble to stand up while performing it is essential that you tick the appropriate box on the application form.

Any enquiries relating to the festival should be directed to Paul Duhig at the School of Instrumental Music.

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