Western Australian Schools' Jazz Festival

The Western Australian Department of Education presents the annual Western Australian Schools' Jazz Festival, hosted at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) facilities on Sunday 2 August 2026. This festival offers jazz ensembles from schools across Western Australia a unique opportunity to perform before an audience of peers and receive valuable feedback from industry experts—an experience designed to facilitate growth and excellence in students' musical journeys. The festival is a highlight of the WA Department of Education's Instrumental Music School Services calendar, which supports music education across public schools throughout the state. Applications open in Week 4, Term 1 (Friday 27 February 2026) and close in Week 4, Term 2 (Friday 15 May 2026), giving schools ample time to prepare their ensembles. Public schools are covered by the Department of Education's licensing arrangements, and the festival's success relies in part on the contribution of volunteers who assist with stage management, ticket selling, and marshalling. While the Jazz Festival is a student performance event rather than a traditional teacher professional development session, it holds significant value for music educators as both a performance opportunity for their students and a chance to observe other school ensembles, connect with fellow music teachers, and learn from the expert clinicians who provide feedback. For music teachers browsing the PD Exchange, the festival represents an important part of Western Australia's vibrant school music ecosystem.