Home2025-03-03T20:57:18+11:00

WELCOME TO THE 2025 ASBOF

REGULAR FESTIVAL PARTICIPANT?

 

If you are a regular participant and have forgotten your login details you can recover them through the FORGOT PASSWORD facility in the MEMBERS AREA.

NEW TO THE FESTIVAL?

 

If you are new to the Festival we will need to set you up with a login profile. Go to the REGISTER A NEW SCHOOL page, complete all details, and we will contact you shortly.

LOOKING FOR PROGRAM DETAILS

 

Go to the Festival App to access performance details for all upcoming weekends.

School Music Scholarships

The ASBOF offers a comprehensive list of schools currently offering Music Scholarships.
This list is updated regularly.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

 

Secondary School Events

Concert Band Events
Sunday 22 June (T2 W8) – NSW Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
Sunday 27 July (T3 W1)* – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington, NSW Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
Sunday 24 August (T3 W5) – NSW Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
*The Grainger event will only be held on 22/6 and 27/7

Big Band Events
Sunday 27 July (T3 W1)* – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington, NSW Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
Sunday 24 August (T3 W5) – NSW Conservatorium of Music, Sydney

String Ensemble Events
Sunday 22 June (T2 W8) – NSW Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
Sunday 27 July (T3 W1)* – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington, NSW Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
Sunday 24 August (T3 W5) – NSW Conservatorium of Music, Sydney

Orchestral Events
Sunday 22 June (T2 W8) – NSW Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
Sunday 27 July (T3 W1)* – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington, NSW Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
Sunday 24 August (T3 W5) – NSW Conservatorium of Music, Sydney

*On these weekends with multiple venues the Festival GM will allocate final performance locations based on entry patterns

Important Closing Dates

Earlybird Cut-off: Friday 14th March
General Entry Cut-off: Friday 2nd May

If you don’t see a suitable date here for your ensemble, contact the GM to see how we might assist. We want everyone to be involved.

Full List of In Venue Events

Primary School Events

Concert Band Events
Sunday 3 August (T3 W2) – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington
Sunday 10 August (T3 W3) – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington, Wenkart Theatre Knox Grammar School
Sunday 31 August (T3 W6) – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington
Sunday 14 Sept (T3 W8) – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington
Sunday 21 Sept (T3 W9)* – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington, The Leighton Hall UNSW Kensington
*The Lithgow event will only be held on 3/8

Big Band Events
Sunday 3 August (T3 W2) – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington
Sunday 10 August (T3 W3) – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington
Sunday 31 August (T3 W6) – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington
Sunday 14 Sept (T3 W8) – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington
Sunday 21 Sept (T3 W9)* – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington, The Leighton Hall UNSW Kensington

String Ensemble Events
Sunday 3 August (T3 W2) – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington
Sunday 21 Sept (T3 W9)* – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington, The Leighton Hall UNSW Kensington

Orchestral Events
Sunday 3 August (T3 W2) – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington
Sunday 21 Sept (T3 W9)* – Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington, The Leighton Hall UNSW Kensington

*On these weekends with multiple venues the Festival GM will allocate final performance locations based on entry patterns

Important Closing Dates

Earlybird Cut-off: Friday 14th March
General Entry Cut-off: Friday 2nd May

If you don’t see a suitable date here for your ensemble, contact the GM to see how we might assist. We want everyone to be involved.

Full List of In Venue Events

2025 Online Events

We will continue to run a full range of online events for:

  • Secondary school

    • Concert Bands/Wind Bands
    • Big Bands
    • String Ensembles 
    • Orchestras
  • Primary school
    • Concert Bands/Wind Bands
    • Big Bands
    • String Ensembles 
    • Orchestras

Online Entry Cut off Dates

  • General Entry – Friday 5th September

Video Upload Date – Friday 5th September

  • This date is negotiable for international ensembles

ENTRY OPTIONS

Adjudication Plus Trophy (Audio adjudication plus a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Award Plaque)

All ensembles entering the Adjudication Plus Trophy section of the Festival will receive the confidential audio adjudication comments from a member of our highly acclaimed panel of adjudicators. In addition to receiving the adjudication, these ensembles will be awarded a GOLD, SILVER, or BRONZE rating which will be publicly announced and displayed on our website. There is an additional cost to the entry fee for the award which will be included at the checkout stage of entry.

Adjudication Only (Audio adjudication only)

All ensembles will have the opportunity to enter the Festival as an educational experience only and receive the confidential audio feedback from a member of our highly acclaimed panel of adjudicators. No award will be presented and no public announcement as to the level of performance will be made. Adjudication Only ensembles entering the Online section of the Festival will still be eligible for participation in the online streaming event.  A PARTICIPATION plaque can also be requested for ensembles which would like to commemorate their participation in the event. Please contact the Festival GM for more information.

ASBOF Full Event and Venue Summary
ASBOF Entry Fees (In-venue and Online)
ASBOF Event Criteria (In-venue and Online)
ASBOF GENERAL FESTIVAL CONDITIONS
ASBOF ONLINE FESTIVAL CONDITIONS

About the Festival

The Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival is open to all school wind, brass, and big bands, string ensembles and orchestras from across the planet and is held annually throughout July, August, and September.

We cater for ensembles of all ability levels and, with over 10,000 students performing at our event each year, we are one of the most significant music education events in Australia.

So, whether your ensemble is newly formed or has been playing for years, get on board and join the fun of the Festival. Read about us on this site or contact us for further information to find out how you can be involved in the most inspirational event on the Australian school music calendar.

Click to visit our Gallery Page

Click here to visit our Gallery Page
Click here to visit our Gallery Page
Click here to visit our Gallery Page
Click here to visit our Gallery Page
Click here to visit our Gallery Page

Festival News, Views and Events

Sydney Music Educators Conference 2024

Dr Peter Boonshaft and Steve Williams headline a stellar lineup of presenters at this year's SYDNEY MUSIC EDUCATORS CONFERENCE. ASBOF, in association with ABODA NSW, present the most practical PD program a Music Director could hope to attend. WEDNESDAY 17 - FRIDAY 19 JULY 2024. Presenters include: Dr Peter Boonshaft, Steve Williams, Mandy Fara Boonshaft, Garry Clark, Tim Crow, Meg Lipworth, Nic Russionello, and more. Earlybird discount until JUNE 28 - SAVE $105! REGISTER NOW

January 12th, 2023|
Read More

Festival Background

Festival Background

The first School Band Festival was organised by the Band Association of NSW in 1962. Held at Chatswood Oval, eight brass bands initially took part and marching was compulsory.

READ MORE

Our Patron

Our Patron

Dr Anita Collins is an award-winning educator and researcher in music education and its impact on brain development and is known for her role as onscreen expert in the ABC documentary Don’t Stop the Music.

READ MORE

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

The Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival (NSW School Band Festival Ltd) is company limited by guarantee and is registered as a tax deductible entity on the Register of Cultural Organisations

READ MORE

Festival Venues

The Conservatorium of Music

Close to the Sydney Opera House and surrounded by the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music is located at the heart of Sydney’s cultural precinct.

READ MORE

Sir John Clancy Auditorium

The Sir John Clancy Auditorium is the eastern suburbs’ largest public auditorium and is ideally suited for our Festival. Click to find all you need to know about the Clancy.

READ MORE

Festival Supporters

Can’t find the venue?

Click on the links below and Google Maps will direct you from your current location.

AIM – John Painter Hall
Clancy Auditorium UNSW
Conservatorium of Music

What’s Happening

@sbfnsw

- 6.1407412480974 year ago

I’m sure that many of our festival family will want to get behind this great initiative in support of our late patron and friend. https://t.co/mL79IEG8dx
h J R
@sbfnsw

- 6.1860939244039 year ago

Something the 10,000 students who perform annually at the ASBOF, and the parents and teachers who support them, know intuitively. https://t.co/WNJlEBAG6S
h J R
@sbfnsw

- 6.2339215499746 year ago

Jodie Blackshaw with some interesting info on bands and some compelling thoughts on their current status in the world of music https://t.co/rq8NL22piA
h J R
@sbfnsw

- 6.2340218797565 year ago

Don’t forget to join us, even tho it’s St Paddy’s Day! https://t.co/b5xq63nlBX
h J R
@sbfnsw

- 6.2478840690005 year ago

A new work by the latest composer to have a section of the festival named in their honour. Read about Jodie Blackshaw’s new wind symphony in Limelight. https://t.co/Tn1zrzrD0V
h J R
@sbfnsw

- 6.2924604895992 year ago

Some parents need the science argument to support it. Politicians demand the ‘evidence’ to fund it. We do it because it’s just bloody good fun - and it makes people happy. KEEP MUSIC LIVE! https://t.co/BUhzPNS4Do
h J R

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