Concert Bands:  

Instruments considered for these ensembles include: 

• Woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon) 

• Brass (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba) 

• Percussion

String Ensemble or Chamber Orchestra:  

Instruments considered for these ensembles include: 

• Violin 

• Viola 

• Cello 

• Double Bass 

Symphony Orchestra:  

This is our only auditioned orchestra in the program. Instruments considered for this ensemble include: 

• Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) 

• Woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon) 

• Brass (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba) 

• Percussion 

• Harp*  

*Harp may be eligible for Symphony Orchestra, dependant on repertoire, and audition requirements being met. Please email [email protected] to enquire prior to enrolment. 

Instruments *not included* in our holiday program ensembles: 

• Piano/Keyboard 

• Voice 

• Guitar/Ukelele/Mandolin, etc. 

Our core holiday program ensembles are open to anyone age 5-18 from their first year of playing. Places in Symphony Orchestra are by audition only. 

Entry guidelines for our core ensembles are as follows:  

• First year of playing through to AMEB Grade 6 or equivalent 

• Must be having private instrumental tuition and own their own instrument 

• Recommended ages: 5-18 years old 

Entry guidelines for Symphony Orchestra are as follows:  

• AMEB Grade 6 to AMusA or equivalent,  

• Recommended Ages: 14-18 

You will find out which ensemble you have been assigned during the week before your Holiday Program unless you have been sent an offer for the Symphony Orchestra, which go out earlier. 

We use numerous factors to decide the right ensemble for you, including: 

– Age and other social factors 

– Instrument 

– Level of experience as indicated on your enrolment form. This could be AMEB, Suzuki, years playing etc. 

– Previous ensemble experience 

This information is collected during the application process. If you forgot to include something or wish to update any information, please email [email protected] 

We take great care in assigning musicians to the correct level ensemble to ensure needs are met both musically and socially; however, Conductors will assess all musicians on the first day of the week and suggest any changes if necessary.  

Ensemble swaps will not be possible after the second day of Summer/Winter School to ensure adequate preparation time for your concert. 

Because Symphony Orchestra is an auditioned group, changes into that ensemble are not possible during the week. 

Yes, you’re welcome to request this; however, we can’t guarantee that you will be placed with your friend or sibling. Orchestras are a delicate mix of different instruments and SYO prioritise placing each musician in the ensemble that best suits them, based on the above criteria.  For the benefit of all our musicians and to ensure our orchestras are well balanced across every instrument group, we cannot guarantee that friends and siblings will be in the same orchestra. 

All musicians will have the opportunity to socialise together during breaks, regardless of ensemble.  

Holiday Program participants will have four sessions spread out across the day. These sessions will be a mix of tutti (full ensemble) rehearsals, instrumental tutorials (single instrument groups e.g. Trumpets) and sectionals (collection of instruments such as Lower Strings, Upper Brass, etc). 

Holiday Program musicians will also attend workshop sessions throughout the week and play for each other during our concert rehearsal on the final day of the Holiday Program.  

• our instrument (and anything that you need with your instrument. e.g. spare strings, rosin, bow, reeds, valve oil etc.) 

• Small fold-up portable music stand (musicians should generally be able to carry their own stand as well as their instrument cases – unless you play a large instrument in which case SYO staff will be on hand to help!)  

• A plastic sleeve folder  

• Hat 

• Water bottle 

• Food for Morning Tea and Lunch – do not bring nuts or nut products 

• Raincoat or Umbrella – In case of wet weather 

• Comfortable clothes – Musicians will be outdoors moving between different rooms for tutorials and activities 

No, unless you wish to be considered for the Symphony Orchestra. This is the only auditioned orchestra in our Holiday Programs. 

You will find out what concert you will be performing in during the week of Summer/Winter School – we usually have two concerts (10am or 1pm). Look out for an email with links to buy tickets during the week.

I love music but am not formally learning an orchestral instrument yet, can I still enrol?

Only Symphony Orchestra musicians will be permitted to leave the campus for lunch if ‘Permission to depart independently’ was selected on their enrolment form. If this was not previously selected but you would like to leave campus during lunch break, please contact SYO at [email protected] to update this.  

All other musicians will not be permitted to leave campus unless accompanied by a parent or carer, so please be sure to pack plenty of food and snacks for recess and lunch.  

Yes, regional scholarships are available if you live 200km+ away from Sydney and reside in NSW. Participation in Orchestral Explorers or HSC Programs are not eligible for scholarship support.  

Whilst there is no dedicated financial hardship scholarship initiative for this program, we encourage any families who are experiencing significant financial difficulties to get in touch with us via email. Read more about SYO’s scholarships in general here.  
Yes, Creative Kids vouchers are accepted at the time of paying your enrolment fee. Please note that they can’t be applied retroactively.  

Email [email protected] as soon as possible. Please note our terms and conditions state that we cannot offer refunds if you can no longer attend. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer credit to a future holiday program. 

No, there are no prior preparations required for Holiday Programs, as musicians may be moved between ensembles on the first day. 

SYO uses a tiered pricing model for its holiday programs. Prices rise as the program date nears and as available spaces in each group become limited.  

*Note, to secure the best price and be considered for Symphony Orchestra, we encourage you to finalise your enrolment at the time of application.  

Occasionally we still have some places on certain instruments. Get in touch with us as early as you can at [email protected] and our staff will be able to better direct you.  

All percussion instruments are supplied; however, percussion participants are expected to bring a stick bag containing at least one pair each of drumsticks, soft mallets for suspended cymbal (and/or vibraphone and marimba), xylophone mallets, glockenspiel mallets and timpani mallets.

Musicians must complete the application form found on the ‘Summer/Winter Symphony’ page. If you do not indicate your interest in the Symphony Orchestra on the form, you will not be considered. 

If your application is unsuccessful for Symphony Orchestra, but you wish to be considered for our other holiday program ensembles, please be sure to complete your enrolment/make payment at time of application.  

If you only wish to be considered for Symphony Orchestra, you can apply and instead complete your enrolment upon acceptance. This option is not recommended as it may mean that you miss out on being able to attend Summer/Winter School!