Australian International Music Festival

The Australian International Music Festival is one of the biggest and most popular music events in the country.

Each year, it attracts over a thousand talented, young participants from around Australia, China, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Europe, and the USA to perform choral, orchestral, wind, and jazz ensembles in friendly competition with one another.

A festival jury then awards Bronze, Silver, or Gold plaques to winning ensembles based on their concert performance.

During the week-long event, participants perform at iconic venues in Sydney, such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Recital Hall, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Captain Cook Park, Sydney Conservatorium, Sydney Town Hall, and the Massed Choral Works. Due to the limited capacity of the venues, there is a limited number of attendees each year. To be assured entry, it’s encouraged to register early.

The concerts are family-friendly, but adults should always accompany young adults under 15. Shows run for approximately three hours, but for the best experience, arrive at the venue early to secure a drink and relax before the concerts. Latecomers may be subject to lock-out periods, wherein they will not be permitted entry until there is an appropriate break or interval.

Overall, the event is educational and entertaining for performers and the audience. Although there are no strict dress codes for the Australian International Music Festival, coming in smart casual to all venues is ideal.

Most participating venues have in-house restaurants and bars to satisfy guests throughout the performances.