Ormiston State School is proud to have currently one of the largest high quality performing Instrumental Music Band programs within the region. The program, which is for students in years 4, 5 and 6, currently includes two concert bands, and a third extension ensemble in the form of a Stage Band. Participation in our auditioned Stage Band is in addition to participation in our Senior Concert Band. All three of our ensembles are usually very active with performances within the school and wider community as well as competing at local Eisteddfods and other competitions throughout each year.
There is a selection process to participate in the Instrumental Music program at Ormiston SS that usually takes place in term 3 each year. Students are primarily selected from when they are in year 3; this is in preparation for those students to be ready to begin their Instrumental music learning for year 4. The selection process includes many factors such as (but not limited to) identified musical aptitude and behaviour, as well as their ability to cope with the extra workload that learning a musical instrument requires alongside their other subjects. Students learn an instrument from either the Woodwind, Brass or the Percussion families and have a 30-minute lesson each week. In addition to their lesson, all students are required to participate in an ensemble.
A small participation fee is required to be paid by all participating students each year. This cost helps to subsidise items such as competition entry fees, workshops costs, purchase of new music and materials, etc. The school does have a very limited supply of more expensive larger instruments available for hire through the school; these are usually for only one-year hire, but in some cases can be for up to 3 years hire depending on the instrument value. All students in their second or third year of learning within the Instrumental Music Program are required to purchase an Ormiston SS Performance Music Shirt as part of their uniform to be worn at all performances.