Do you sing or play a musical instrument?

Enter Central Coast Instrufest 2024

When: Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 October

Where: Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, 45 Mann Street Gosford

 

Central Coast Conservatorium of Music is launching the inaugural Central Coast Instrufest – a five-day competitive music festival being held at Robert Knox Hall, Gosford, from Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 October.

The school holiday competition is being sponsored by Central Coast Council and will be held across five days (with three sessions between 9am – 4pm) with age-based categories in vocal, piano, strings, guitar, brass, percussion and woodwind on the following days:

• Piano – Tuesday 8 October 2024
• Vocal – Wednesday 9 October 2024
• Woodwind/Brass – Thursday 10 October 2024
• Strings – Friday 11 October 2024
• Percussion/Guitar – Saturday 12 October
• Championship Showcase – Saturday 12 October (evening)

The performances will be judged by qualified adjudicators, with a selection of competitors being chosen to perform again in the Championship Showcase on 12 October. Prizes will be awarded at the Championship Showcase for most promising musicians.

Central Coast Instrufest is open to anyone aged five and over. This competition is about celebrating the joy of music and live performance, and we are looking forward to filling our Robert Knox Hall with the sounds of a wide variety of instruments. Most importantly this is about having fun, and for some, experiencing performing in front of someone else for the first time.

Registrations have now closed. All participants will be emailed details of their performance times. Please check your emails. For more information, phone 4324 7477 or email [email protected]

Instrufest Timetable

Day	Date	Arrival time	Session Time	Finish time	Category	Section name
Tuesday	8/10/24	9am	9:30am	10:00am	Piano	U/9 (5 – 8) years category
Tuesday	8/10/24	9:45am	10:30am	12:30pm	Piano	U/13 (9 – 12 )years category
Tuesday	8/10/24	12:45pm	1:30pm	2:30pm	Piano	U/18 (13 – 18) years category
Wednesday	09/10/24	9:30am	10:00am	10:30am	Vocal	U/9 (5 – 8) years category
Wednesday	09/10/24	10:15am	11:00am	12:30pm	Vocal	U/12 (9 – 12 )years category
Wednesday	09/10/24	1:15pm	2:00pm	3:30pm	Vocal	U/18 (13 – 18) years category
Thursday	10/10/24	9am	9:30am	10:00am	Woodwind & Brass	U/9 (5 – 8) years
Thursday	10/10/24	9:45am	10:30am	12:30pm	Woodwind & Brass	U/12 (9 – 12 )years category
Thursday	10/10/24	1:15pm	2:00pm	3:30pm	Woodwind & Brass	U/18 (13 – 18) years category
Friday	11/10/24	9:15am	10:00am	10:30am	Strings	U/12 (9 – 12 )years category
Friday	11/10/24	10:15am	11:00am	12:30pm	Strings	U/18 (13 – 18) years category
Friday	11/10/24	1:15pm	2:00pm	3:00pm	Open	Open Adult Section (18+)
Saturday	12/10/24	11:30am	12:00pm	12:45pm	Guitar	U/18 (13 – 18) years category
Saturday	12/10/24	1:30pm	2:30pm	4:00pm	All	Grand Final Showcase Concert

Information for participants

GENERAL INFORMATION

Please note: Entry to the Conservatorium for Instrufest is via Georgiana Terrace driveway (not the front gate on Mann Street). This is to ensure ease of registration.

On the session day please have the students arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the concert to ensure that they are signed in at the Instrufest registration desk, have handed in their music for the adjudicator, are warmed up and ready to perform.   

Make sure you bring a copy of music for the adjudicator with your name written in the top right corner. 

Attendees, including participants and spectators, are kindly requested to stay in the hall throughout the concert to offer support to all performers and avoid causing disruptions.

**The winner of each section and stand out performers will be invited to take part in the Grand final showcase concert on Saturday 12 October at 2:30pm.**

NOTE: Audience members can purchase tickets for the Instrufest Grand Final Showcase Concert, $10, from this link

BACKING TRACKS 

Backing tracks must not have any recorded vocals. Recorded backing tracks are to be uploaded to the Central Coast Instrufest Portal by Wednesday 2 October. 

Files should be in MP3 format. Please use the following format when naming your file: Category_Entrant name_Item 1 (Title_Artist /Composer/Lyricist) ( eg :Contemporary Vocal_ Liz Star_Hurt_Christina Aguilera). All entrants should bring copies of all backing tracks on a USB, labeled as per the above, for contingency purposes.

ACCOMPANIST REHEARSALS

Step 1: Call accompanist Mathew Brooks, 0435 039 919.  

IF YOU WILL BE USING YOUR OWN ACCOMPANIST PLEASE MAKE THAT CLEAR ON YOUR CONFIRMATION FORM.

Step 2: Email a copy of your music (if you are using the CCCM accompanist) to [email protected]. In the subject line please state “Instrufest music for accompanist. entrant name/ category name”  example: “instrufest music for accompanist.  Mary Smith/ Voice. 

OR bring a copy of your music to the Conservatorium before your rehearsal for the accompanist to use, ensure it has your name on it if you want it returned to you.

Step 3:  Pay your accompanist directly for your rehearsal. 

There will be no fee for the accompanied performance on the concert day.

DRESS CODE: 

Concert /Performance attire is expected to be an elegant/smart outfit that you feel good in. 

Above all, allow for comfort and freedom of movement for the best possible performance. 

ADJUDICATION CRITERIA

Judging criteria will be based on musicality, technical skill, interpretation, stage presence, and overall performance quality.

PLEASE BRING

• You must bring a copy of your music for the adjudicator on the day with your name written in pencil on the top right hand corner of the sheet music.
• If using a backing track please bring a backup copy on a USB stick.
  Refillable water bottle 

 Water bottles, tea, coffee and light snacks will be available for purchase in the courtyard on the day.  

Any questions please reach out to our administration team on 4324 7477 or email [email protected]