Music and arts

State schools provide opportunities for students to engage in activities which support and enhance the curriculum in areas such as:

• instrumental music
• dance
• visual art
• choral music
• debating and public speaking competitions.

Not all activities are offered through every school. Contact your school to find out what's available.

Some of the most popular options are listed below.

Instrumental Music Program

More than 400 instructors and 50,000 students are involved in our Instrumental Music Program. 

Students learn band and orchestral instruments in small groups and participate in larger ensembles, such as concert bands and orchestras.

Contact your school to find out what's available.

Fanfare

Fanfare is a statewide festival showcasing bands and orchestras (i.e. school-based ensembles) from Queensland state schools.

Fanfare is held every 2 years. It gives school communities a chance to celebrate their young musicians and instrumental teachers and encourage musical excellence through performance.

Read more about Fanfare, including how to nominate your school for a regional festival.

Creative Generation

Excellence Awards in Instrumental Music

The 2013 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Instrumental Music (MOST—stands for musically outstanding students) is a residential extension program for up to 77 students from Queensland state secondary schools.

The program is held every 2 years and provides music students with 10 days of extensive musical development through:

• performing with large and small ensembles
• tutorial groups
• aural musicianship
• a range of music and cultural activities.

Students must nominate for MOST through their school's contact teacher.

Find out more about MOST 2013.

State Schools Onstage

Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage gives young performers the chance to work with and learn from professional artists.

More than 1,500 talented dancers, singers and musicians from Queensland state schools perform each year alongside leading professional artists.

Read more about Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage, one of Queensland’s largest performing arts events.

Visual Art

The Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art are for senior students studying visual art in Queensland state and non-state schools.

Award winning works are shown in an exhibition at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA). Winners and selected students are also given the chance to learn from professional artists in regional workshops.

Students must nominate for the Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art through their school's contact teacher.

Choral Fanfare 2013

Choral Fanfare is a festival for Queensland’s primary and state high school choirs, and is held every 2 years.

The fanfare is organised by regional music coordinators. Regional winners will be invited to take part in the State Gala Concert to be held at Brisbane City Hall in August.

Any type of choir is eligible. Choirs can have 10-90 students.

Check other entry details and how to nominate your school for Choral Fanfare 2013.

Wakakirri

Wakakirri is Australia's largest arts challenge for primary schools. The stories schools tell are limited only by imagination. These stories are shared through dance, film, singing or writing.

Meanjin Writers' Camp

The Meanjin (Brisbane) Local Council of the Australian Literacy Educators' Association Inc. conducts the camp to encourage and develop talented young writers. This organisation represents more than 300 educators throughout South East Queensland interested in literacy and learning.

Find out more about Meanjin Writers' Camp.

Debating

The Queensland Debating Union (QDU) runs a series of debating competitions for Years 5–12, and spanning Toowoomba, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and associated regions.

Find out more about QDU school debating.