Australian International 

Music Festival

During the school holidays, a group of our talented music students had the incredible opportunity to participate in the 2025 Australian International Music Festival in Sydney! What an experience it was to travel to Sydney with 41 extraordinary students and 4 amazing staff members. We performed in some incredible venues, including Chatswood Concourse, the Maritime Museum, the busy Manly Corso, and of course, as my students continue to put it, the Holy Grail of performance venues - The Sydney Opera House.

We had an incredible workshop with a clinician who brought 100 years of lessons into one hour. We also completed an amazing rehearsal exchange with the incredible Hong Kong school, HKUGA College, building fond relationships that the students will never forget. In our adjudicated performance, we achieved SILVER, a result the kids were absolutely proud of.

Throughout the week, certain students provided updates about their amazing experiences and insights from the trip. These insights can be found below. 

Congratulations to all of our incredible students, the parents and caregivers, and the dedicated staff who have supported them throughout.

Day 1

Sydney Ensemble Takes Off!
On Saturday, 5 July, the Sydney Ensemble departed from Melbourne and touched down in Sydney by midday, kicking off an exciting week at the Australian International Music Festival. After arriving, the group soaked in the city’s beauty, from Bondi Beach to the skyline and the breathtaking Gap cliffs. The day concluded with an inspiring opening concert at the University of NSW, where students watched talented bands from across the globe. A memorable start to a musical adventure!

- By Xavier and Xander 

Day 2

On 6 July, St Bernard’s College had its first performance which was amazing. We visited the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Then after dinner, we enjoyed an amazing night of singing. It was an unforgettable night filled with creativity, music, and the beauty of Sydney’s vibrant atmosphere. We are looking forward to what Sydney has to offer to us in the future days.

- By Benjamin

Day 3

On 7 July, our students took part in a workshop led by adjudicator Andrew, gaining valuable insights into performance and presentation. After lunch, we travelled to Chatswood for a captivating two-hour session featuring multiple string orchestras. The afternoon continued at the Queen Victoria Building, where we explored a range of stores. We finished the day with dinner at a lively market, followed by a screening of Spielberg’s bold new take on Jurassic World.

- By Fraser

Day 4

Today was many things. Life-changing, hectic and absolute fun.

We started off with a buffet breakfast to set ourselves up for the day. We then left to enjoy the scenic views of Sydney Harbour while walking on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We then got lunch and went to Taronga Zoo to see all different kinds of animals. We then returned to the hotel and later travelled to the Sydney Opera House to get ready for the life-changing performance. We got speeches from Xavier Jackson and 2024 College Captain Lucas McKinnon and went out to the stage. After performing, we met our parents and partied in the holding room. We were finally ushered to our seats and watched the rest of the performance before going back to the hotel.

What a day!!!!

- By Dario

Day 5

On the 9th of July during my Sydney trip, I had a memorable and insightful day. It started with a cruise tour around the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and many other interesting landmarks. Secondly, we did a school exchange with HKUGA college symphonic band from Hong Kong which was the most remarkable experience. We traded pieces playing as one large band, which sounded fantastic and nothing like ever before. Several conversations sparked between us boys and the other school letting us uncover what life and band is like in such a different part of the world and what similarities we share.

- By Cerano

Day 6

On 10 July, St Bernard’s College music students participated in an adjudicated concert, delivering refined performances that reflected their hard work and preparation. That evening, students attended a captivating hour-long concert by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House, featuring intricate compositions and outstanding solo performances. It was a day filled with inspiration, excellence, and unforgettable musical experiences. We extend our thanks to all involved in making this enriching opportunity possible.

- By Siddharth

Day 7

As the final full day of the AIMF, it sure was action-packed! We started our day by taking the coach to Manly Corso, a picturesque beach boulevard. We performed our repertoire twice here, making great efforts to battle the wind. Afterwards, we got ready for the final concert of the tour. Hosted at Sydney Town Hall, the concert also included the placement announcements, with our Saint Bernards Concert Band taking a silver award back home.

- By Elliot