PHEP commenced in 2007 with a partnership between Western International Band Clinic, held in Seattle, Washington, annually during November, and the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) held in Brisbane annually during October. Every year, a small group of honor band students from WIBC are selected to participate in the SHEP program in Brisbane. These WIBC students are the only U.S. students involved in this prestigious honor band event at Griffith University. In addition, SHEP is represented at WIBC with a fabulous group of honor band students from the Young Conservatorium Wind Orchestra. This PHEP international event, in its 14th year of activities, continues to flourish as we prepare for the next event in Sept/Oct of 2024. More than 250 honor band students have been involved in the PHEP program since 2007.

WHAT IS SHEP?

The State Honours Ensemble Program brings together the finest young musicians from across the state of Queensland to work under the direction of a team of eminent international and national conductors. The event is located in the world-class environment of the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. The program offers the pursuit of excellence to young ensemble-based instrumentalists in Wind Orchestras, String Orchestras, and Choral Ensembles in an intensive four-day program that culminates in four gala concerts in the Conservatorium Theatre, situated at South Bank in the heart of Brisbane’s arts precinct.

 

Join us in Brisbane for this vibrant cross-Pacific partnership, Pacific Honours Ensemble Program that will bring the finest of high school-aged United States musicians together with Queensland’s best!

 

Four days of sightseeing in the Sydney area will be followed by an intensive four-day music program that forms part of an exchange program with the State Honours Ensemble Program.

 

WIBC invites current high school students accepted to one of the WIBC honor bands to audition for four scholarship awards and up to sixteen full fee-paying positions (for students at an appropriately high standard) at the Pacific Honours Ensemble Program on the following instruments: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba and Percussion. The WIBC Board of Directors will award four scholarships and up to sixteen full-fee-paying positions during the WIBC 2023 conference in November.

 

All rehearsals and performances are held at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. Successful recipients will join over 300 instrumentalists in four ensembles.

 

Students will be accompanied and chaperoned for the duration of the activity, including travel to and from the USA/Australia by the WIBC Organizing Director or WIBC Administration Directors.

 

How do I audition for PHEP?

Note: Only freshmen, sophomores, and juniors can audition for PHEP since the honor band event is next September/October.

 

Login to your WIBC honor band account and select one or both audition options. (This will show up once a student is accepted to WIBC). On the PHEP tab, select:

 

1. I would like to be included in the candidate list for PHEP scholarship selection

2. If not selected via scholarship, I would still attend PHEP and pay my own way

 

There is no need to send in any additional audition material to WIBC.

The WIBC Board of Directors will decide on scholarships and full fee-paying placements

based on current WIBC auditions.

 

• What does the scholarship cover?
PHEP/SHEP Participation Fee
Rehearsals/performances with a guest conductor
Souvenir honor band certificate
Souvenir honor band program
Access to digital pictures via the web
Sheet music
Accommodation Australian Hotel - quad share x 3 nights
Accommodation at host family x 5 nights
Full Breakfast x 7
Evening Meal x 7
Activities in Australia (Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, sightseeing, shopping, swimming)
Chaperone Support and Assistance

As a scholarship recipient, what will I need to contribute?
· Airfare* and taxes – approx. $2500
· Lunch money for seven days
· Souvenir/spending money
* Denotes - airfare arrangements must be booked through Western International Band Clinic travel systems.
 

If I am unsuccessful for a scholarship place and wish to be considered for a full fee-paying position, what will I need to contribute?

· Participant fee of $1750

· *Airfare and taxes – approx. $2500

· Lunch money for seven days

· Souvenir/spending money

 

* Denotes - airfare arrangements must be booked through Western International Band Clinic travel systems.