Ngahrima Festival of International Youth Music

Strings Requirements

Please read all items below so you know what you need to prepare

Theme for 2027: “Firsts and New Beginnings”

For 2026, choose pieces that are ‘Firsts’ or which signify ‘New Beginnings’.  You can choose anything - but show us how they link to this year’s theme of Firsts and New Beginnings.


Ngahrima Festival Stories

Opening Ceremony: Select 2 Ensemble representatives from your group to tell us about your Firsts and New Beginnings pieces.

Closing Ceremony: Prepare a 3-5min slideshow of photos and videos telling us about your preparation journey to come to Ngahrima Festival 2026.  You can also teach us a short traditional song, or present a local poem from your area.

Sample Concert Set (for both Competition and Performance ensembles)

Perform a 20-25 minute “Concert Set” of:

  1. A Required Piece (choose one of the pieces below). Your Ensemble can perform both if you wish in any Concert Set, but Competition Ensembles can only perform one at their Judged Concert Set.

  2. A piece by a composer from the ensemble’s home country.

  3. One piece in a contemporary style (which can be the same piece as item 2. above).

  4. One piece that is suitable to perform in a church/cathedral/sacred space.

  5. Additional piece(s) of your choice, in order to reach the minimum playing time.

If you have more music than 25 minutes worth, that’s fine; feel free to mix and match a Concert Set for each performance you do.  There are a total of 4 concerts which you will perform a Concert Set.

Qualify your pieces

Ensembles are advised to present a wide program that showcases technical difficulties/fast passages, as well as tranquil movements/sections.

No solo pieces are allowed.

Arrangements are not encouraged.


Workshop Pieces

Prepare two pieces for your ensemble’s workshop. One is your Set Piece and the other of your choice.


Double Bass Hire

Please advise when you apply if you require Double Bass hire for the duration of the Festival.

Required Pieces

Choose from one of the two following pieces.  You can also purchase both for a discounted rate. (online Sheet Music store below)

Strings

A Little Overture

This piece brims with vitality and uniquely string techniques.  Concertino harmonics against ripieno accompaniment brings to life birds in an aviary - namely the Free Flight Aviary of the City of Rockhampton. Composer’s hint: see if you can make the melodies shine through the ensemble, and bring out the interesting textures.

Strings

A Smaller Overture

A more bold and sturdy theme runs through this piece, evoking where the city of Toowoomba sits within the cordillela of the Great Dividing Range. This overture makes use of ripieno and concertino. Composer’s hint: see if you can make the melodies shine through the ensemble, and bring out the interesting textures.

Strings

A Little Overture & A Smaller Overture Twin Pack

Don’t play a single overture, play both; bring them home and share a piece of Australia and unique insights to the State of Queensland.