Kambala has a vibrant and progressive Music Department, with many ensembles, a plethora of performance opportunities, and a thriving private tuition program.

Our Classroom Instrumental Program was one of the first of its kind in Sydney and remains one of the most comprehensive. Every student in Year 3 begins learning an orchestral instrument of their choice, provided by Kambala, in small groups during class time. Students continue this program through until the end of the non-elective program in Year 8. In Years 7-8, over half of each cohort receive private lessons and are able to participate in our Concert Practice Program, in which a full-time accompanist works individually with each girl in preparation of a solo performance. Specialist musicians on staff concurrently train these girls in advanced chamber ensemble skills.

Kambala Music Department’s HSC Music results are outstanding. The 2006 Music 2 class achieved the highest results of any NSW girls school, with an average subject mark of 96; all Music 2 and Music Extension students achieved the top band. Over the past seven years, Kambala has received 23 Encore nominations, with five compositions selected for performance in the annual Encore concert in the Opera House. Listen to two examples of these compositions: Simple Song and Bazaarphony.

Our Music Ensemble Program features eighteen ensembles, including five choirs, three concert bands, three jazz bands, three string orchestras, a symphonic orchestra, and various chamber groups.  Special events include the annual Music Festival at Sydney Opera House, Music Camp, Musicals, the Senior Music Evening in our Alexander Hall, and Speech Day at the Town Hall.  Our larger ensembles feature at various formal school services, whilst our chamber groups are regular contributors to the numerous functions throughout the year.  Collaborations with other schools such as Cranbrook, The Scots College and Sydney Grammar create new and stimulating musical contexts for our singers and instrumentalists.

Approximately 350 senior and junior students participate in Kambala’s Private Music Tuition Program, learning all manner of instruments from our 20 visiting specialist staff.  In addition to voice, percussion and piano, instruments taught include woodwind (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone), brass (trumpet, trombone, tuba, horn, euphonium), and strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, bass guitar). Musicianship and theory tuition is also offered. Solo performances are a regular feature of Kambala’s calendar, with public presentations in our weekly lunchtime concerts and assemblies, Music Soirees and Year-level Recital Evenings.

The Music Department is ably assisted by an energetic Music Support Group, which runs fundraising activities and provides help at major concerts.