Open School of Music

About the Open School of Music

The School of Music has a strong and enduring commitment to outreach into the wider community. The School of Music works closely with its principal funding supporter, artsACT, and also partners with local festivals, community music making organisations, and teachers and schools through the Education and Training Directorate. The School also collaborates with many of the major cultural institutions resident in the ACT.

The aim of the Open School of Music is to provide developing musicians with a supportive and nurturing social environment in which they can improve their technical and theoretical knowledge of music, interact and share their love of music with their peers, and rub shoulders with the world of professional music-making. In 2020 we will offer the following programs:

Developing Musicians Program;
Girls Jazz Program;
Community School of Rock (for adults), and;
other programs yet to be confirmed for young people and adults.

In particular, the Open School of Music aims to ensure that high-quality music education is accessible to all young people in the ACT who have the interest and aptitude.

Summer Instrument Workshops!

For the first time in early 2020 we'll be offering a series of FREE jazz workshops. Open to young people aged 12 to 25 years old. Register here!

New Programs for Adults in 2020

New Orleans Rehearsal Hall: drop in and learn a tune with Canberra Jazz stalwart, Ben Marston.
Song to Studio Intensive: a small, boutique course for 10 aspiring singer song writers, with Matt Barnes and Beth Monzo.
Apply now!

2020 Term Dates

Term 1: Monday 17 February to Friday 3 April
Term 2: Monday 27 April to Friday 12 June

Semester 1 Recital Week: 12 to 16 June

Term 3: Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September
Term 4: Monday 12 October to Friday 6 November

Semester 2 Recital Week: 6 to 10 November

Study opportunities

Studying at the ANU Open School of Music offers students a range of activities including:

Performing opportunities;
A stimulating school environment with a like-minded peer group;
Tuition from the highly experienced staff at the ANU Open School;
Chamber music opportunities;
Performance preparation classes;
Masterclasses with ANU staff and visiting artists, and;
Interaction with ANU School of Music staff and tertiary students.

You can see all of our Semester 2 2019 Open School classes here.

Developing Musicians Program

Through the Developing Musicians Program, a range of pathways for young music students taking instrumental, vocal, or theory lessons are available to students from the ACT community, as well as engagement opportunities for music lovers of all ages.

Girls Jazz

The Girls Jazz Program offers aspiring young female jazz musicians the oppprtunity to come together for a weekly 2 hour ensemble rehearsal and perform at Open School events. In addition, participants are eligible to receive a 45 minute private lesson each week with an instrumental tutor.

To round of a great year in 2019, we're hosting a 2 day workshop for vocalists interested in performing jazz. This free workshop is limited to 15 places so register early to avoid disappointment!

Open School of Music for Adults...

Community School of Rock

Now in it's second year, the Community School of Rock program offers amateur musicians of varying levels the opportunity to learn new skills in a friendly, supportive environment.
For people over 18 with at least 6 months experience of learning their instrument.