Eumundi School of Music music director Jimmy Halliday and keys teacher Kate Gadenne-Parsons with students from the 2026 program at Caplick Park. Photo: Supplied.
Eumundi School of Music is marking 10 years of mentoring young musicians across the Sunshine Coast with more than 300 students taking part in the program since it began.
The milestone will be celebrated with an anniversary Mini Festival on August 22 featuring this year’s student bands, ESOM alumni, a major headline act and a special VIP guest yet to be revealed.
The not-for-profit music mentoring and tuition scholarship program was founded by five-time ARIA Award winner Katie Noonan (pictured) and a team of professional Sunshine Coast musicians. Noonan also won three awards at this month’s Sunshine Coast Music Awards.
Since launching, the program has provided mentoring and tuition scholarships to more than 300 young performers. A number of former students have gone on to work professionally or study at the Queensland Conservatorium and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
This year’s competitive auditions were held across several days at the Imperial Hotel in Eumundi, drawing young vocalists, keyboard players, guitarists, bassists and drummers from across the region.
ESOM music director Jimmy Halliday said the standard was high.
“There’s some serious talent in the students selected this year, across all areas of vocals, keys, guitar, bass and drums,” Halliday said.
Following the auditions, the teaching team placed successful students into bands based on their skills and musical aspirations.
The students then gathered at Caplick Park in Eumundi to meet their new bandmates and begin shaping their groups.
“We then held a wonderful gathering in Caplick Park Eumundi, where the students all came together, met their new bandmates and brainstormed band names,” Halliday said.
This year’s student bands include Compass, Red Bin Chicken, Real Creations and Solidified.
The young musicians have now been paired with professional music teachers for individual tuition before full-band rehearsals begin.
Students prepare for anniversary concert
The ESOM Mini Festival will take place at the Eumundi School of Arts on Saturday, August 22.
The concert will feature the 2026 student bands, ESOM alumni and a major headline act yet to be announced.
“Previous headliners have included The Superjesus, Tim Rogers, Frente, Clare Bowditch, Alex Lloyd, Abby Dobson and Dallas Frasca, and we’ll soon reveal a very big name who’ll be headlining the concert this year,” Halliday said.
The event will celebrate ESOM’s 10-year anniversary while showcasing a new generation of Sunshine Coast musicians.
Further concert and ticket details will be announced in coming weeks. Visit the Eumundi School of Music website for updates.
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