Instrumental Fanfare commences with schools nominating their ensembles to participate in the program. Primary and secondary state school ensembles may be nominated by the ensemble's conductor, a school teacher or the principal. If an ensemble has students from both primary and secondary levels (i.e. a P-10 school) then the ensemble should nominate in the division that has the majority of students.
Nominations for Instrumental Fanfare 2026 have now closed. More information about the 2026 program can be found on the Program participation page.
Resources
2026 Participation Guidelines
Step-by-step Nomination guide
Ensemble details form (for coordinating teachers to collect nomination information from conductors)
Ensemble details spreadsheet (as above for coordinating teachers in excel form)
Standard stage plan - concert band and orchestra
Standard stage plan - jazz and stage band
Ensembles
The ensembles listed below provide a guide to the instrumental make-up of groups that can participate.
Instruments not listed below, but are included in the score, are also acceptable.
- concert band
An ensemble of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, usually a large group.
- orchestra
A string section plus a proportional number of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.
- string orchestra
An ensemble consisting of strings (not including guitars). This ensemble may include percussion and piano.
- stage band
A small group of saxophones, trumpets, trombones and a rhythm section. The rhythm section may include any keyboard, an electric or an acoustic guitar, an electric or an acoustic bass and a drum kit. Vocalists may be included in the group.
- brass ensemble
An ensemble comprised of brass instruments with or without percussion.
- woodwind ensemble
An ensemble comprised of woodwind instruments with or without percussion.
- percussion ensemble
A combination of tuned/untuned percussion instruments.
All ensembles are welcome to participate in the Instrumental Fanfare regional festivals. However, please note, to be selected to progress to the regional final, ensembles must meet the program eligibility criteria which is available in the 2026 Participation Guidelines.