Combined Schools Instrumental Festival

What began as the instrumental arm of the ‘Wollongong Music Festival of Choirs’ in 1969 has become the largest school instrumental festival in the Illawarra – and it’s facilitated by WollCon!

The Combined Schools Instrumental Festival brings together hundreds of public school students from Helensburgh to the Shoalhaven, aged between 6-18 years to perform in a large-scale production for the local community.

It also provides a unique and enjoyable experience for the student musicians involved, and promotes band and ensemble music programs in the Illawarra.

In 2019 the Festival celebrated its 50th anniversary year – and while they haven’t been able to perform over the last few years – it is expected that the festival will perform in the Wollongong Town Hall soon.

The Festival usually comprises over 200 students in the massed ensemble, playing ‘concert band’ arrangements and catering for string, woodwind, brass, keyboard and percussion players.