Instrumental Fanfare 2026
Instrumental Fanfare 2026 featured 1,120 ensembles from more than 450 state schools and more than 31,000 students participated in the regional festivals and finals.
The 2026 state finalists were:
Primary state finalists
- Edge Hill State School Percussion Ensemble
- Ironside State School Chamber Strings
- Macgregor State School Wind Symphony
- Robina State School Senior Strings
- Stretton State College Gowan Symphonia Strings
Secondary state finalists
- Brisbane State High School Kurilpa String Orchestra
- Cairns State High School Symphony Orchestra
- Centenary Heights State High School Stage Band
- Palm Beach-Currumbin Optima Wind Ensemble
- Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology Curlew String Ensemble
The most outstanding primary ensemble will be announced on Thursday 13 August, 2026.
The most outstanding secondary ensemble will be announced on Friday 14 August, 2026.
Instrumental Fanfare 2024
Instrumental Fanfare 2024 featured 1,123 ensembles from more than 450 state schools and more than 30,000 students participated in the regional festivals and finals.
The 2024 state finalists were:
Primary state finalists
- Ironside State School Chamber Strings
- Macgregor State School Wind Symphony
- Robertson State School Paganini Strings
- Stretton State College Gowan Senior Strings
- Varsity College Acacia String Ensemble
Secondary state finalists
- Brisbane State High School Kurilpa String Orchestra
- Cairns State High School Symphony Orchestra
- Mansfield State High School Camerata
- The Gap State High School Asymmetry
- Varsity College Chamber Strings
Macgregor State School Wind Symphony (conductor—Robyn Rosewarne) was selected as the most outstanding primary ensemble, receiving the Donald Britton OAM Memorial Trophy, and was given the honour of opening the secondary state final.
The Gap State High School Asymmetry (conductor—Jeff Jarrott) was the most outstanding secondary ensemble, taking out the Erica Brindley Memorial Trophy.
Instrumental Fanfare 2022
There were 967 ensembles and more than 400 state schools that performed in Instrumental Fanfare 2022. More than 30,000 students participated in the regional festivals and finals.
The 2022 state finalists were:
Primary finalists
- MacGregor State School Wind Symphony–Conductor: Robyn Rosewarne
- Fitzgerald State School Senior Concert Band–Conductor: Helen Williams
- Robertson State School Paganini Strings–Conductor: Robyn Gray
- Varsity College Acacia String Ensemble–Conductor: Nicky Griffith
- Ironside State School Chamber String Orchestra–Conductor: Trudy Weekes
Secondary finalists
- Brisbane State High School Fractalia–Conductor: Jeff Jarrott
- Cairns State High School Symphony Orchestra–Conductor: Simon McMenamin
- Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band–Conductor: Brad Ruben
- Pimlico State High School Orpheus Chamber Strings–Conductor: Richard Newell
- The Gap State High School Paganini Strings–Conductor: Jamie-Lee Zhang
- Robertson State School Paganini Strings–Conductor: Robyn Gray was selected as the most outstanding primary ensemble and given the honour of opening the Secondary State Final.
- Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band–Conductor: Brad Ruben was the most outstanding secondary ensemble, taking out the Erica Brindley Memorial trophy.
Instrumental Fanfare 2018
There were 1,143 ensembles from 515 state schools that performed in Instrumental Fanfare 2018. More than 30,000 participated in the regional festivals and finals.
The 2018 state finalists were:
Primary finalists
- Ashgrove State School Senior Strings—Conductor: Keith Sharp
- Banksia Beach State School Advanced Concert Band—Conductor: Martin O'Callaghan
- Ironside State School Chamber Strings—Conductor: Trudy Weekes
- Varsity College Acacia String Ensemble—Conductor: Michelle Wilson
- The Willows State School Senior Concert Band—Conductor: Ruby Johnson
Secondary finalists
- Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band—Conductor: Bradley Ruben
- Cairns State High School Symphony Orchestra—Conductor: Jon Christodoulides
- Centenary Heights State High School String Orchestra—Conductor: Jessica Johansen
- Stretton State College Symphonic Band—Conductor: Adam Hornagold
- The Gap State High School Asymmetry—Conductor: Jeff Jarrott
Banksia Beach State School's Advanced Concert Band was selected as the most outstanding ensemble during the primary concert and given the honour of opening the secondary state final.
The Gap State High School's Asymmetry percussion ensemble was the most impressive secondary school, taking out the Erica Brindley Memorial trophy.
Instrumental Fanfare 2016
There were 982 ensembles from 421 schools performing in Instrumental Fanfare 2016. More than 27,500 participated in the regional festivals and finals held in May and June.
The state finalists were:
Primary finalists
- Banksia Beach State School Stage Band—Conductor: Martin Callaghan
- Edge Hill State School Concert Band—Conductor: Jon Christodoulides
- Ironside State School Chamber Strings—Conductor: Trudy Weekes
- Middle Ridge State School Senior Concert Band—Conductor: Antoinette Warfield
- Varsity College Junior Concert Band—Conductor: Mathew Caulton
Secondary finalists
- Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band—Conductor: Bradley Ruben
- Cairns State High School Symphony Orchestra—Conductor: Jon Christodoulides
- Kedron State High School Percussion Ensemble—Conductor: Sam Mitchell
- Kenmore State High School Symphonic Band—Conductor: Edward Kennedy
- Pimlico State High School Orpheus Chamber Strings—Music Director: Richard Newell
Ironside State School Chamber Strings, conducted by Trudy Weekes was awarded the most outstanding primary performance at the Instrumental Fanfare 2016 Primary State Final Concert.
The Erica Brindley Memorial Trophy was presented to the Cairns State High School Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jon Christodoulides for their outstanding performance at the Secondary State Final concert.
Instrumental Fanfare 2014
833 instrumental music ensembles from 400 schools performed in Instrumental Fanfare 2014. More than 22,000 state school students participated in the regional festivals which were held in May and June in 48 regional centres across Queensland.
The state finalists were:
- Pimlico State High School Orpheus Chamber Strings—Conductor: Richard Newell
- Cairns State High School Orchestra—Conductor: Jon Christodoulides
- Varsity College Chamber Strings—Conductor: Michelle Wilson
- Benowa State High School Senior Strings—Conductor: Vincent Chingchang Kwan
- Gladstone State High School Symphonic Band—Conductor: Angie Clifton
- Kingaroy State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Matthew Phillips
- Narangba Valley State High School Symphonic Winds—Conductor: Elisha Edwards
- Banksia Beach State School Concert Band—Conductor: Martin O'Callaghan
- Brisbane State High School Symphony Orchestra—Conductor: Meg Robson
- Mansfield State High School Camerata—Conductor: Lisa Stevenson
- Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band—Conductor: Brad Ruben
The grand finalists were:
- Brisbane State High School Symphony Orchestra—Conductor: Meg Robson
- Mansfield State High School Camerata—Conductor: Lisa Stevenson
- Pimlico State High School Orpheus Chamber Strings—Conductor: Richard Newell
- Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band—Conductor: Brad Ruben
- Cairns State High School Orchestra—Conductor: Jon Christodoulides
The Erica Brindley Memorial Trophy was presented to the Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band, conducted by Brad Ruben.
Instrumental Fanfare 2012
738 state school bands and orchestras, involving over 19,800 instrumental music students, performed in Instrumental Fanfare 2012 regional festivals in May and June 2012.
The state finalists were:
- Banksia Beach State School Big Band—Conductor: Gary Hooper
- Benowa State High School Clearwater Wind Orchestra—Conductor: Bill Buchanan
- Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band—Conductor: Bradley Ruben
- Brisbane State High School Symphony Orchestra—Conductor: Meg Robson
- Cairns State High School Symphony Orchestra—Conductor: Jon Christodoulides
- Kingaroy State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Matt Phillips
- Narangba Valley State High School String Orchestra—Conductor: Timo Jarvela
- Pimlico State High School Symphony Orchestra—Conductor: Richard Newell
- The Gap State High School String Orchestra—Conductor: Jan Stuart-Street
- Varsity College Chamber Strings—Conductor: David Maddick
- Yeppoon State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Jeanette Douglas
The grand finalists were:
- Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band—Conductor: Bradley Ruben
- Brisbane State High School Symphony Orchestra—Conductor: Meg Robson
- Pimlico State High School Symphony Orchestra—Conductor: Richard Newell
- Varsity College Chamber Strings—Conductor: David Maddick
- Yeppoon State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Jeanette Douglas
The Erica Brindley Memorial Trophy was presented to the Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band, conducted by Bradley Ruben.
Instrumental Fanfare 2010
723 state school bands and orchestras, involving over 19,500 instrumental music students, performed in Instrumental Fanfare 2010.
The state finalists were:
- Benowa State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Bill Buchanan
- Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band—Conductor: Brad Ruben
- Cairns State High School Orchestra—Conductor: Bob Favell
- Centenary Heights State High School Stage Band—Conductor: Garry Poole
- Centenary State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Fiona Harvey
- Kingaroy State High School Stage Band—Conductor: Matt Phillips
- Mackay North State High School String Orchestra—Conductor: Susan Mora
- Pimlico State High School Chamber Strings—Conductor: Richard Newell
- Pine River State High School Stage Band—Conductor: Bruce Hamlin
- The Gap State High School Orchestra—Conductor: Jeff Jarrott and Keith Sharp
- Yeppoon State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Jeanette Douglas
The grand finalists were:
- Yeppoon State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Jeanette Douglas
- Brisbane State High School Symphonic Band—Conductor: Brad Ruben
- The Gap State High School Orchestra—Conductor: Jeff Jarrott and Keith Sharp
- Cairns State High School Orchestra—Conductor: Bob Favell
- Pimlico State High School Chamber String Orchestra—Conductor: Richard Newell
The Erica Brindley Memorial Trophy was presented to the Pimlico State High School Chamber String Orchestra, conducted by Richard Newell.
Instrumental Fanfare 2008
715 ensembles, from 360 schools and involving more than 20,909 students, performed in Instrumental Fanfare 2008.
The state finalists were:
- Middle Park State School String Orchestra—Conductor: Jonathon Zorzetto
- Yeppoon State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Jeanette Douglas
- Cairns State High School Orchestra—Conductor: Bob Favell
- Helensvale State High School Big Band—Conductor: James Henshaw
- Kingaroy State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Julieanne Schick
- Pimlico State High School Symphony Orchestra—Conductor: Richard Newell
- Mackay North State High School Concert Band—Conductor: David Bayliss
- Toowoomba State High School String Orchestra—Conductor: Jessica Johansen
- Pine Rivers State High School String Ensemble—Conductor: Timo Jarvela
- Brisbane State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Brad Ruben
- MacGregor State High School Percussion Ensemble—Conductor: David Adelt
The grand finalists were:
- Pine Rivers State High School String Ensemble—Conductor: Timo Jarvela
- Cairns State High School Orchestra—Conductor: Bob Favell
- Brisbane State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Brad Ruben
- MacGregor State High School Percussion Ensemble—Conductor: David Adelt
- Pimlico State High School Symphony Orchestra—Conductor: Richard Newell
The Erica Brindley Memorial Trophy was presented to the MacGregor State High School Percussion Ensemble, conducted by David Adelt.
Instrumental Fanfare 2006
615 ensembles, from 315 schools and involving more than 15,000 students, performed in Instrumental Fanfare 2006.
The state finalist ensembles were:
- Bray Park State High School String Orchestra—Conductor: Michelle Jones
- Centenary State High School Stage Band—Conductor: Damon Lougheed
- Harristown State High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble—Conductor: Nick Williams
- Helensvale State High School Wind Symphony—Conductor: Renee Dent
- Mackay North State High School Concert Band—Conductor: David Bayliss
- Pimlico State High School String Orchestra—Conductor: Richard Newell
The grand finalist ensembles were:
- Cairns State High School Orchestra—Conductor: Bob Favell
- Yeppoon State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Jeanette Douglas
- Brisbane State High School Big Band—Conductor: David Adelt
- Mansfield State High School Concert Band—Conductor: Marg Overs
- Kingaroy State High School Stage Band—Conductor: Matt Phillips
The Erica Brindley Memorial Trophy was presented to the Brisbane State High School Big Band, conducted by David Adelt.
Instrumental Fanfare 2004
Almost 600 ensembles, from 325 schools and involving more than 15,000 students, performed in Instrumental Fanfare 2004.
The state finalist ensembles were Bray Park State High School Wind Ensemble, Bremer State High School Stage Band, Brisbane State High School Symphony Orchestra, Kirwan State High School Senior String Orchestra, Mansfield State High School Big Band and Nerang State High School Senior Concert Band.
The grand finalist ensembles were Cairns State High School Orchestra, Harristown State High School Stage Band, Kenmore State High School Symphonic Band, Kingaroy State High School Concert Band and Yeppoon State High School Concert Band.
The Erica Brindley Memorial Trophy was presented to the Cairns State High School Orchestra, conducted by Bob Favell.
Instrumental Fanfare 2002
560 ensembles, from more than 300 schools and involving 15,000 students, performed in Instrumental Fanfare 2002.
The state finalist ensembles were Benowa State High School Stage Band, Dakabin State High School Stage Band, Harristown State High School Stage Band, Kingaroy State High School Stage Band, Pimlico State High School String Orchestra and Redbank Plains State High School Stage Band.
The grand finalist ensembles were Blackwater State High School Symphonic Band, Brisbane State High School Percussion Ensemble, Cairns State High School Orchestra, MacGregor State High School Big Band and Mansfield State High School Concert Band.
The Lin Powell Perpetual Trophy was presented to the Cairns State High School Orchestra, conducted by Bob Favell.
Instrumental Fanfare 2000
514 ensembles, from 270 schools and involving almost 15,000 students performed in Instrumental Fanfare 2000.
The state finalist ensembles were Bowen State High School Concert Band, Charters Towers State High School Concert Band, Coorparoo Secondary College Concert Band, Ipswich State High School Concert Band, Kingaroy State High School Concert Band, MacGregor State High School Big Band and Pine Rivers State High School Stage Band.
The grand finalist ensembles were Brisbane State High School Big Band, Cairns State High School Orchestra, Marsden State High School Concert Band, Toowoomba State High School Stage Band and Yeppoon State High School Symphonic Band.
The Lin Powell Perpetual Trophy was presented to the Brisbane State High School Big Band, conducted by Paul Meneely.
Instrumental Fanfare 1998
508 ensembles performed in Instrumental Fanfare 1998.
The state finalist ensembles were Tullawong State High School Concert Band, Benowa State High School Concert Band and Charters Towers State High School Stage Band.
The grand finalist ensembles were Yeppoon State High School Concert Band, Cleveland District State High School Concert Band, Cairns State High School Orchestra and Brisbane State High School Stage Band.
The Lin Powell Perpetual Trophy was presented to the Bundaberg State High School String Ensemble, conducted by Christine Buwalda.
Instrumental Fanfare 1996
336 ensembles involving 10,500 students performed in Instrumental Fanfare 1996.
The state finalist ensembles were Brisbane State High School Stage Band, Marsden State High School Concert Band, Pine Rivers State High School Concert Band, Kirwan State High School Concert Band, Mt Isa State High School Concert Band and Chinchilla State High School Concert Band.
The grand finalist ensembles were Toowoomba State High School Concert Band, Yeppoon State High School Concert Band, Kingaroy State High School Concert Band and Ferny Grove State High School Stage Band.
The Lin Powell Perpetual Trophy was presented to the Cairns State High School Orchestra, conducted by Bob Favell.
Instrumental Fanfare 1994
312 ensembles involving 9,993 students performed in Instrumental Fanfare 1994.
The state finalist ensembles were Mt Isa State High School Orchestral Band, Chinchilla State High School Concert Band, Kepnock State High School String Orchestra, North Rockhampton State High School String Orchestra, Springwood State High School Stage Band and Pine Rivers State High School Concert Band.
The grand finalist ensembles were Kirwan State High School Concert Band, Brisbane State High School Concert Band, Toowoomba State High School Stage Band and Ferny Grove State High School String Orchestra.
The Lin Powell Perpetual Trophy was presented to the Cairns State High School Orchestra, conducted by Bob Favell.
Instrumental Fanfare 1992
213 ensembles involving 7,765 students performed in Instrumental Fanfare 1992.
The state finalist ensembles were Corinda State High School Concert Band, Charleville State High School Concert Band, Wavell State High School Stage Band, Pimlico State High School String Orchestra, Mount Isa State High School Orchestral Band and Ashmore State School Concert Band.
The grand finalist ensembles were Gladstone State High School Concert Band, Pine Rivers State High School Concert Band, Toowoomba State High School Stage Band and Kingaroy State High School Concert Band.
The Lin Powell Perpetual Trophy was presented to the Cairns State High School Orchestra, conducted by Bob Favell.
Instrumental Fanfare 1990
188 ensembles involving 6,200 students performed in Instrumental Fanfare 1990.
The state finalist ensembles were Mt Isa State High School Concert Band, North Rockhampton State High School Concert Band, Roma Middle School Concert Band, Caloundra State High School Concert Band, Springwood State High School Concert Band, Toowoomba State High School Stage Band and Kenmore State High School Concert Band.
The grand finalist ensembles were Wavell State High School Concert Band, Kingaroy State High School Stage Band, Pimlico State High School String Orchestra and Trinity Bay State High School Orchestral Band.
The Lin Powell Perpetual Trophy was presented to the Brisbane State High School Concert Band, conducted by Vin Fryer.
Instrumental Fanfare 1988
159 ensembles involving 5,069 students performed in Instrumental Fanfare 1988.
The state finalist ensembles were Wavell State High School Stage Band, Kenmore State High School Concert Band, Roma Middle School Concert Band, Pimlico State High School Concert Band, Mt Isa State High School Orchestral Band, Caloundra State High School Concert Band and Springwood State High School Concert Band.
The grand finalist ensembles were Brisbane State High School Concert Band, Trinity Bay State High School Orchestral Band, Kepnock State High School Orchestra, Toowoomba State High School Orchestra and North Rockhampton State High School Concert Band.
The Lin Powell Perpetual Trophy was presented to the Trinity Bay State High School Orchestral Band, conducted by Halina Blurton.
Instrumental Fanfare 1986
110 ensembles performed in Instrumental Fanfare 1986.
The state finalist ensembles were Kedron State High School Concert Band, Bremer State High School Concert Band, Brisbane State High School Concert Band, Walkervale State School Orchestra, Mt Isa State High School Concert Band and Roma State High School Concert Band.
The grand finalist ensembles were Mackay North State High School Concert Band, Trinity Bay State High School Orchestral Band, North Rockhampton State High School Concert Band and Wilsonton State School Stage Band.
The Lin Powell Perpetual Trophy was presented to the Brisbane State High School Concert Band, conducted by Vin Fryer.
Instrumental Fanfare 1985
106 ensembles performed in Instrumental Fanfare 1985.
The state finalist ensembles were Toowoomba State High School Concert Band, Mount Isa State High School Concert Band, Gladstone West State School Concert Band and Bremer State High School Stage Band.
The grand finalist ensembles were Kepnock State High School Concert Orchestra, Brisbane State High School Concert Band, Mackay North State High School Concert Band and Trinity Bay State High School Orchestral Band.
The Lin Powell Perpetual Trophy was presented to the Kedron State High School Concert Band, conducted by David Lewis.