Music Program
Over 500 BBC students are part of a co-curricular music ensemble, a testament to the efficacy of BBC’s academic music program and its ability to engage students. Boys who join our expansive performance music program can choose from a huge selection of student bands, orchestras, and ensembles.
Benefits of Performance Music at BBC
Our co-curricular music program is grounded in an instructional foundation that emphasises mentorship and a strong creative rapport between students and their conductors and tutors. This approach nurtures the musical potential of each boy and fosters a deep and lasting love of music and performance through group and one-on-one practice sessions.
Ensembles
Ensembles are at the centre of the performance music program, offering students rich, immersive experiences that challenge them musically and connect them deeply with their peers. Research shows that playing in an ensemble strengthens far more than technical skills, it builds confidence, sharpens critical thinking, and nurtures communication and self-awareness, all while helping young musicians navigate the real-world challenges of collaboration and emotional growth. As students work toward shared musical outcomes, they develop resilience, form meaningful relationships, and gain life skills that resonate well beyond their time in the rehearsal space.
Core Ensembles
Every student learning an instrument is required to audition for a core ensemble.
Extension Ensembles
Participation in extension ensembles requires an audition and is in addition to participating in at least one core ensemble. Students in extension ensembles are required to continually improve their standard of playing.
Performance Opportunities
BBC offers a range of live performance opportunities, which promote a host of benefits in a boy’s development, including growing self-confidence, strengthening memory and recall, enhancing problem-solving skills, and facilitating self-expression.
Twilight Concert
Big Band, Jazz Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Rock Bands, Collegians, Camerata, Symphonic Band, College Strings, and College Symphony, joined by BBC Singers, Colla Voce, Junior Band, Junior Acton Strings, Intermezzo Strings, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Stage Band
Autumn Sounds
BBC Singers, Intermezzo Strings, Junior Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Senior Percussion, Intermediate Percussion, Precision, Jazz Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, and College Symphony
Junior Autumn Sounds
Colla Voce, Junior Strings, Acton Strings, and Junior Percussion
Themed Concert
Rock Bands and various ensembles (varies each year)
Showcase Concert
Rock Band, Stage Band, Precision, Senior Percussion, Intermediate Percussion, Intermezzo Strings, BBC Singers, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, and the Senior and Middle School Solo Championship winners
Grand Concert
Camerata, Collegians, Big Band, Rock Bands, Symphonic Band, Concerto Competition winner, College Strings, and College Symphony
Darren Middleton Songwriting Competition
(judged by Old Collegian and Powderfinger lead guitarist Mr Darren Middleton (OC 1988)) – Rock Bands
Junior School Gala Concert
Junior Strings, Junior School Solo Championship Winner, Acton Strings, Junior Percussion Ensemble, Colla Voce, and Junior Band
Finale Concert
Junior Strings, Junior Percussion, Intermediate Percussion, Precision, Senior Percussion, Guitar Ensemble, BBC Singers, College Strings, College Symphony, Symphonic Band, Big Band, Intermezzo Strings, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Stage Band, and Jazz Ensemble
Competitions
There are many competitions that our students compete in, both on campus and away from Brisbane Boys’ College. Students enter competitions as soloists and in ensembles. We have had success with chamber ensembles and solo instruments and voices. We also host many competitions at the College, including a concerto competition, solo championships, standard level solo competition and a Piano eisteddfod.
Does BBC support students who are participating in AMEB exams or external competitions?
By encouraging our students to be involved in examinations run by the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) and Trinity College London (TCL), auditioning for external ensembles like those run by the Queensland Youth Orchestras and the Young Conservatorium, and nominating our musicians for programs like the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) and the Australian Honours Ensemble Program (AHEP), we help our musicians to further extend themselves and discover avenues to continue their musical journey beyond BBC.
Although we run many competitions here at the College, encouraging and supporting students to compete outside of BBC in different venues and arenas helps develop their confidence, improve their skills, and allows them to see what other similar-aged students are doing with their music studies. Encouraging students to be involved and experience all types of music in all types of situations helps to develop them and, in turn, our program.