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.
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 and vocal ensemble and now includes the 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.
Brisbane programs are held at the Queensland Conservatorium, at our South Bank Campus in South Brisbane and include; Australian Honours Ensemble Program (AHEP), SHEP Queensland (state-wide), SHEP South East QLD, SHEP Brisbane 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?
Yes, students can be nominated by their external private tutor. The Private tutor would complete the nomination form and email it to us.
Which instruments are part of the Honours Programs?
Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass
Winds: flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, 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 BRISBANE
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 - Vocal students are selected in a similar way to instrumentalists (AMEB followed by Year Level), however, we also take into consideration teachers' recommendations of students, 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 I am nominated?
Once all the nominations have been submitted by teachers, you will receive an email from SHEP admin to notify you that you have been nominated and to provide you with information regarding the program. You will then receive another email within 2 – 3 weeks with the outcome of the nomination, students will receive one of the following:
Offer to attend - An offer to participate in the program
Reserve list - Students on the reserve list may be made an offer subject to positions becoming available.
Unsuccessful - Not all students nominated by their teachers are able to be offered positions for the program. This does not reflect the ability of the student but the volume of high standard nominations we have received and limited places available, or that the nomination criteria was not met.
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.
2025 Audition material
- Alto Saxophone
- Baritone Saxophone
- Bass Trombone
- Bassoon
- Big Band - Trombone
- Big Band - Trumpet and Tenor Saxophone
- Big Band - Alto and Baritone Saxophone
- Cello
- B♭ Clarinet
- Double Bass
- E♭ Clarinet
- Euphonium
- Bass Clarinet
- Flute/Piccolo
- French Horn
- Oboe
- Percussion 1 of 3 - Snare Drum
- Percussion 2 of 3 - Timpani
- Percussion 3 of 3 - Xylophone
- Tenor Saxophone
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Viola
- Violin
- Vocal
Instrumental students are also required to submit two contrasting unaccompanied pieces/section of your choice, not exceeding 3 mins per piece.
2025 AHEP Audition Requirements
2025 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.
Transport/ Accommodation
Students/families attending this program are required to organise their own transport and accommodation (if applicable) throughout.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the finale concerts held?
Concerts are held on the Sunday of the program and family and friends are welcome to attend. Students represent their schools and are to wear their full school uniform for the concert performance.
Where are rehearsals held for the SHEP programs held in Brisbane?
Rehearsals are held over several venues including:
- Queensland Conservatorium
- Somerville House
- Brisbane State High School
- Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
T-Shirt Size Guide
Each participant is provided with a souvenir t-shirt which is selected at the time of payment and registration.