12 - 16 January 2026
Presented by highly experienced music educators and HSC markers, the HSC Summer School program is specifically designed to assist students in Years 10, 11 & 12 (in 2026) to prepare for and polish their understanding of HSC Music 2 & Music Extension in a focused, supportive and engaging environment.
HSC Summer School will specifically focus on HSC Composition and Musicology requirements, giving students the opportunity to develop their understanding of these two core syllabus areas.
Students will have the option to sign up for a one-on-one consultation with an established Australian composer to workshop their original compositions.
Why not consolidate your learning further by attending the HSC Winter School too? HSC Winter School will focus on HSC Performance, Past Examination Papers and Sight Singing. Package options are available via the registration form.
Meet Mark Grandison, SYO HSC Summer School & Composition Consultant
Mark Grandison is Head of Creative and Performing Arts at James Ruse Agricultural High School and a respected composer whose works have been performed by major Australian orchestras including the Tasmanian, Adelaide, Sydney and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, as well as Sydney Youth Orchestras and numerous other ensembles.
A represented artist with the Australian Music Centre, Mark is the annual presenter of Symphonic Encounters at Sydney Conservatorium, a renowned program that bridges the gap between secondary music students and the professional orchestral world.
Mark’s dual expertise as both educator and practicing composer makes him an invaluable mentor for young artists. At SYO’s Summer School, he works with students to develop their compositional skills, deepen their understanding of orchestral repertoire, and prepare for HSC Music assessments with the insight of someone who has navigated both the educational and professional music landscapes at the highest levels.
SYO HSC Summer School is specifically designed to assist students in Years 10, 11 & 12 (in 2026) to prepare for and polish their understanding of HSC Music 2 & Music Extension in a focused, supportive and engaging environment.
Students must be studying or preparing to study HSC Music 2 or Music Extension and in Years 10, 11 or 12 in 2025.
Monday 12 to Friday 16 January 2026
3:30-6:00pm
Santa Sabina College, 90 The Boulevarde, Strathfield NSW
- Summer School + HSC Summer School
Early Bird – $920 – Allocation Now Exhausted
General Release – $940 – Allocation Now Exhausted
Final Release – $965
HSC Summer School Only – $440
HSC Composition Private Consultation Add on – $80
Sibling Discount – $45
All card payments incur a 1.4% fee
Discounts available for siblings, and multiple holiday programs.
Regional scholarships available on application.
Yes!
Apply for your Creative Kids Voucher
Please navigate to Service NSW website and follow the instructions on how to apply for a $50 voucher.
Meet Ashley Wray, SYO HSC Summer School Presenter
Ashley Wray brings over 15 years of specialised HSC Music teaching experience to SYO’s 2026 Summer School, making her an exceptional choice for students serious about excelling in their HSC Music studies. As an HSC marker since 2015, Ashley has insider knowledge of exactly what examiners are looking for in Music 2 and Music Extension assessments—insight that she translates into practical, targeted coaching for her students.
Currently teaching at Fort Street High School and formerly Head of Performing Ensembles and CAPA Music Coordinator at St George Girls High School, Ashley has guided countless students through the demands of senior music study. Her expertise extends beyond the classroom: she creates resources for Sydney Conservatorium and Sydney Symphony Orchestra Education
Programmes, and presents HSC professional development for the NSW Department of Education, positioning her at the forefront of best practice in music pedagogy.
As an active conductor with NSW State Wind Band programmes, State Music Camps, and a committee member of the Australian Band and Orchestra Director’s Association (NSW), Ashley brings both performance expertise and ensemble leadership to her teaching. Her combination of assessment literacy, proven teaching success at selective schools, and genuine passion for developing young musicians makes her an invaluable mentor for students wanting to maximise their HSC Music results and deepen their musical understanding.
