State’s best young musicians flock to Griffith

More than 1,000 of the state’s best young musicians will gather at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University this weekend for the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) — the biggest event in the program’s history.

More than 900 high school music students have travelledfrom the Border to the Cape and as far west as Mt Isa for four days of intensive rehearsals, tutorials and concerts at Griffith’s South Bank campus.

A further 130 students from NSW, Victoria and the ACT were selected to participate in the inaugural Australian Honours Ensemble Program and15 American college students will represent the prestigious Pacific Honours Ensemble Program (PHEP).

Leading music educators from the UK, US and Australia will oversee a range of ensembles, from big bands and orchestras to a Celtic string ensemble and choirs.

On Sunday 7 October, more than 3,000 people are expected to visit the Conservatorium’s South Bank campus for a series of five grand finale concerts.

Queensland Conservatorium Director Professor Scott Harrison said the program had grown from modest beginnings to a record number of students attending this year.

“This is our largest ever cohort with many more nominations received from schools than we were able to accommodate,” he said.

“It is a delight to welcome hundreds of emerging musicians to our state-of-the-art facilities at South Bank.

“SHEP is now a firmly established aspect of music education in Queensland, bringing together young people from across the state to share their passion for music.”

This weekend’s event is one of eight SHEP programs held throughout Queensland each year — the remaining seven workshops take place in regional Queensland.

The grand finale concerts will be held on Sunday 7 October at 10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm and 7pm.

For more information, contact Lisa Dart at [email protected] or 3735 6375.