State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP)

In partnership with schools across Queensland, SHEP connects the finest young musicians with a team of eminent international and national conductors in pursuit of musical excellence.

For nomination information, email shep-conservatorium@griffith.edu.au or call us on 07 3735 6375.

2027 Honours Program Calendar

Nomination Forms (Teacher use only)

2027 AHEP Nomination Form 

2027 SHEP Brisbane-based Programs Nomination Form 

2027 SHEP Regional Programs Nomination Form

What is SHEP and AHEP?

The Honours programs are educational programs for music students that help extend and encourage their pursuit of musical excellence. Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University’s State Honours Ensemble Program has grown from relatively modest beginnings in 2001. SHEP is now a firmly established aspect of music learning in Queensland, bringing together young people from all over the State, in regional centres and Brisbane to share their passion for making music.

Since first commencing in 2001, SHEP has seen over 45,000 students attend the SHEP programs throughout Queensland, from more than 2000 schools: with many of these students progressing from the Primary and Middle School programs through to AHEP.  A select number of participants have also joined the international arm of SHEP, Pacific Honours Ensemble Program (PHEP), which tours to Seattle each year.  Since 2001 more than 300 nationally and internationally acclaimed conductors have led the SHEP and AHEP ensembles to presentations of musical excellence. 2018 saw the inaugural Australian Honours Ensemble Program (AHEP) with a wind orchestra, string orchestra, vocal ensemble, symphony orchestra and big band. AHEP is an extension of the State Honours Ensemble Program.

How many SHEP programs are there?

In total and including AHEP, we run 17 Honours programs each year; twelve regional and 5 Brisbane based programs.

Regional programs in partnership with local schools are held at, Bundaberg, Cairns, Longreach, Mackay, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, and Toowoomba.

2027 Regional Programs Information

Brisbane programs are held at the Queensland Conservatorium, at Brisbane City (South Bank) in South Brisbane and include; Australian Honours Ensemble Program (AHEP), SHEP Queensland (state-wide), SHEP South East Qld, SHEP Brisbane and SHEP Primary.

2027 Brisbane-based Programs Information

Which instruments are part of the Honours Programs?

  • Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass
  • Winds: flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, saxophones, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion
  • Vocal ensemble: soprano, alto, baritone, tenor (SATB choir only available in some programs)
  • Guitar ensemble: classical acoustic – ONLY FOR SHEP QLD, SHEP SEQ AND SHEP PRIMARY

How are students nominated?

Students are nominated for the Honours Program by their school. Approximately three months prior to each program, music/choral teachers are emailed and asked to nominate the students that meet the specified criteria for each program. Teachers complete a nomination form and return to us by the required deadline. Students represent their school; therefore, nomination forms will only be accepted from a school representative and not parents, however teachers can nominate students that study music (individual tuition) outside of the school providing they have their AMEB grade.

Can students who learn an instrument outside of school be nominated by their private music teacher?

Yes, students can be nominated by their external private tutor. The private tutor would complete the nomination form and email it to us as we do not accept nomination forms directly from parents.

Private Teacher Nomination Form

How are students selected?

We honour the teacher's nomination, as we acknowledge that the teacher has the best idea of the student's standard. We ask teachers to nominate students with their approximate AMEB grade and school year level.

From the nominations, we place students into relevant instrument groups, and sort them from the highest AMEB, as nominated by teacher, and then year level within each AMEB group. Based upon the required number of instruments within each section of the ensemble (as we are required to maintain a specific ensemble balance), we select students from the highest AMEB down based on number of required instruments.

At times there are students of the same AMEB within the cut-off range, at this point we allocate to older students as they may not have another opportunity to participate or be nominated again. We then select students as reserves, as they may be selected for the program depending upon whether other students decline and ensemble vacancies arise.

Please be assured there is no preferential treatment given to any student, and unfortunately, some instrument areas (violin, trumpet, flute, saxophone) are incredibly competitive as we receive numerous nominations, often in the multiple 100s, particularly for the Brisbane programs for very limited places.

Vocal students are selected by year level and AMEB, however, we also take into consideration teachers' recommendations of students, their AMEB and how many years of choral experience a student may have and the potential year level range of the ensemble. This also helps conductors with selecting appropriate repertoire for the age range of the ensemble.

What happens once we receive the nomination form from schools?

Once the nomination due date has passed and all nominations have been entered and checked by us, you will receive an email from SHEP admin to notify you that you have been nominated, confirm your nomination details, and provide you with information and next steps regarding the program.

Australian Honours Ensemble Program (AHEP)

The AHEP Programs runs concurrently with SHEP QLD. Selection into this program is only via audition.  Nomination forms are emailed to teachers at the end of the year for submission to us early the next year.  Once nominations are in, students are then emailed the requirements for audition and will be asked to submit their video audition to us via dropbox. Students that are unsuccessful for a place in the AHEP Program will then be considered for a place in SHEP QLD.

Successful students will have the opportunity to work in either a Wind Orchestra, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Big Band or Vocal Ensemble.

2027 Audition material

Instrumental students are also required to submit two contrasting unaccompanied pieces/section of your choice, not exceeding 3 mins per piece.

2027 AHEP Audition Requirements

2027 Australian Honours Program Nomination (Teacher use only)

Important Information

Attendance

Participants are expected to make themselves available for all rehearsals and the concert performance. Participating in the Honours Programs is a major commitment, and students are required to attend all rehearsals over the program. If you have an event (e.g. family, school, sporting, community, religious) that you know will preclude you from any part of the rehearsals or concert you must decline the offer to participate, so we can extend the invitation to another student. At no time during the event are participants permitted to leave the Honours venue during the daily activities. Requests to arrive late or leave early are not accepted as this is disruptive to the conductor and the other ensemble members. To remain equitable to all students there are no exceptions.  In order to receive a certificate, students must attend all rehearsals and the concert.

Transport/ Accommodation

Students/families attending this program are required to organise their own transport and accommodation (if applicable) throughout.

When are the finale concerts held?

Concerts are held on the last day of the program and family and friends are welcome to attend.

T-Shirt Size Guide

Each participant is provided with a souvenir t-shirt which is selected at the time of payment and registration.

View our sizing guide

For Teachers only

If you would like to be added to the SHEP Mailing lists please email us at shep-conservatorium@griffith.edu.au and be sure to advise which SHEP programs you wish to be added to.