"I felt so excited in the orchestra it was my first time playing in an orchestra. There were even double basses!" - Allegra

Join SYO for a week of music making in a vibrant and fun atmosphere where you can stretch yourself musically and meet other likeminded young musicians.  

SYO Winter School is suitable for any student who plays an orchestral instrument; from those in their first year of playing, through to primary, secondary & tertiary level players. 

SYO Holiday Programs are open to all – you don’t need to submit an audition or be enrolled in SYO’s weekly program to attend! 

SYO’s Winter School promises to be the very best orchestral training holiday program for young musicians.   

You will be led by some of Australia’s finest conductors and tutors over five fun and intensive days of rehearsals and tutorials in a chamber strings, wind band or orchestral setting. These ensembles are targeted at a variety of musical levels, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to develop their orchestral skills in a supportive environment.     

On the last day, invite your family and friends to your finale performance; the Winter School showcase concerts at Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Saturday 20th July, 2024. 

Registrations are now closed.

When:

15th - 20th July 2024 

Where: 

Monday to Friday
Santa Sabina College in Strathfield

Saturday
Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Times:

Monday to Friday
9am - 3pm 

In partnership with Santa Sabina College OOSH we are pleased to be able to offer a limited number of places for students to be supervised until 6pm, 15-19 July. Please contact Frances at [email protected] to organise. Fee is $46 per afternoon and students can come any number of afternoons.

Saturday Concerts*
Concert 1: 10am Book Tickets
Concert 2: 1pm Book Tickets

*Musicians will be informed which concert they are performing in during the week of Winter School 

Winter School only                                                                                                            $595 

Winter School & HSC Winter School package **                                                        $795

HSC Winter School only **                                                                                               $380       

Sibling Discount***                                                                                                            $45 

Summer & Winter School package                                                                                 $1130 

HSC Summer & HSC Winter School package                                                                        $700 

Full Package (Summer & Winter School plus HSC Summer & Winter School)       $1500 


*
All enrolments have an added $10.50 transaction fee 

**Open to students in Years 10, 11 and 12 in 2024 only (Music 2/Music Extension students only) 

***To activate the $ sibling discount, please complete this form for the first child, select the option "Yes" when asked about siblings also participating in Winter School and then apply for subsequent siblings with the code you receive via e-mail. All subsequent siblings booked will be eligible for a $ discount on the Winter School Standard Program. Sibling Discounts do not apply to the HSC Holiday Programs. 

Ages: 5 - 18 

Orchestral Strings and Percussion
First year of playing through to AMusA, must be having private instrumental tuition
 

Orchestral Brass and Woodwind
Over one year of learning their instrument through to AMusA, must be having private instrumental tuition
 

All musicians are required to bring their OWN instruments (excluding large percussion instruments) 

Any musician who is a primary or secondary school student and resides at least 200k from the Sydney CBD is eligible to apply for scholarship support. Successful applicants will receive a full or partial waiver on the participation fee plus a travel and accommodation bursary. The amount of this bursary is dependent on the circumstances of the applicant. Applications for the Regional Winter School Scholarship program close on Sunday 26th May 2024. All applicants will be notified of their result by Friday 7th June 2024. 

Please note, applying for a scholarship does not guarantee a place in the program. If your attendance is not dependent on receiving a scholarship then you may complete the enrolment form to secure your place. If awarded a scholarship after the application and assessment process, you will receive a partial or full refund on the Standard Program.  

You may apply for the scholarship without enrolling however this does not guarantee your place.  

The HSC Preparatory program is not eligible for scholarship support.  

SYO does not organise any accommodation for Winter School. Participants are to book their own accommodation.  

Apply for a Regional Scholarship by clicking here.

You may apply for a scholarship for both Summer and Winter School on the same form, but please note the deadline for Summer School Scholarships is Sunday 26th November 2023


Scholarships are supported by Learning For Good and SYO Donors.

Summer School 2024 (Registrations are closed)
HSC Summer School 2024 (Registrations are closed)