WA Schools' Senior Orchestra Festival

The Western Australian Department of Education's Instrumental Music School Services hosts the WA Schools' Senior Orchestra Festival, a performance event open to any public or non-government school string or symphony orchestra across the state. Scheduled for Saturday 8 to Sunday 9 August 2026, the festival features divisions catering to young or middle school orchestras, unbalanced orchestras, and experienced senior ensembles. Applications open in Week 4 of Term 1 (Friday, February 27, 2026) and close in Week 3 of Term 2 (Friday, May 8, 2026), with no late applications accepted. This year, there are no set work requirements, though each piece should align with publisher-indicated grade levels, and ensembles are encouraged to perform works by Australian composers or composers from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples, and LGBTQIA+ artists. Run in partnership with the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors' Association (WA), the festival provides student musicians with a valuable performance opportunity and a chance to experience the energy and camaraderie of a statewide ensemble event.