SUN
2
AUG
SUN 2 AUG
Western Australian Schools' Jazz Festival
Sunday 2 August 2026
WA
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WA Schools' Senior Concert Band Festival
Presented by WA Dept of Education
Saturday, August 8, 2026·9:00 AM
The Western Australian Department of Education's Schools' Senior Concert Band Festival is a prestigious annual event running from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 August 2026, bringing together the finest senior concert bands from schools across Western Australia. This festival serves a dual purpose: it celebrates the extraordinary musical achievements of student musicians while providing invaluable professional development for music educators who prepare and conduct these ensembles. Participating in a festival of this calibre exposes both students and teachers to high-level repertoire, expert adjudication, and the collective artistry of peer ensembles—experiences that push musical standards forward across the state. For music educators, the festival offers opportunities to observe conducting techniques, programming choices, and rehearsal outcomes from colleagues, creating an informal but powerful form of professional learning. The WA Department of Education's Instrumental Music programme has a strong tradition of fostering musical excellence in schools, and this festival represents the pinnacle of that commitment, showcasing what's possible when schools invest in comprehensive music education programmes.
Key Takeaways
✓Exposure to high-level concert band repertoire and performance standards; opportunities to observe peer ensemble conducting and programming; expert adjudication and feedback on ensemble performance; professional networking with fellow music educators across Western Australia
Evidence base: Supported by research demonstrating that music education develops cognitive skills, social-emotional competencies, and creative thinking, and that performance festivals and competitions provide powerful motivation for student achievement and professional growth for music educators.
Presenter
WA Department of Education
The Western Australian Department of Education's Instrumental Music programme supports music education across the state's public schools, providing resources, events, and professional learning opportunities for music educators. The Senior Concert Band Festival is one of several annual events that celebrate and advance instrumental music performance in schools.
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