Instrumental Ensemble (4-9 Instruments)
Friday 31st July, 2026
* Please note this is NOT a band discipline. Instrumental Ensembles may be classical or non-classical.
* String Ensembles may qualify for the AUSTA SA Strings Award.
* More than two entries per school are allowed in this discipline, providing the total number of Friday entries does not exceed FIVE per school.
VENUE – All sections will be held at the Balaklava Church of Christ – See Eisteddfod Venues page
CONVENOR: Leonie Moore
ADJUDICATOR: Alexandra Khafagi
Alexandra Khafagi, is the Director of Cocurricular and Community Engagement at Christian Brothers College in Adelaide.
This is her first trip to Balaklava having only moved to South Australia at the beginning of 2024 – prior to this, she had been mostly Queensland based.
With a Bachelor of Music – Performance on the Double Bass, and a Grad. Dip Ed as well as Grade 8 on both Piano and Violin, her teaching career now spans 30 years both in the classroom, the music studio, and on stage.
Most recently, she was the Director of Performing Arts at St Josephs College Nudgee, as well as teaching and conducting in the Queensland Conservatorium’s Young Con Program, and working with the Con’s outreach branch ‘SHEP’ (State Honours Ensemble Program) all over Queensland.
With experience playing in and conducting string ensembles, symphony orchestras, concert bands, choirs, musicals and rock bands, and able to perform on around a dozen instruments, she considers music education to be a genuine privilege, and takes great delight in being able to follow the progress of former students now engaged in facets of the industry all around the world.
Having spent the majority of her career in all-boys’ schools, she considers (and promotes) music to be a team sport, with each performance a grand final, and everyone contributing to the success of the group.
In her current role, she feels blessed to be able to work with students in their chosen endeavours outside the classroom, and give them skills that they can include in all areas of their lives.
Alexandra is honoured to be invited to adjudicate.
GENERAL DISCIPLINE INFORMATION
Entrants MUST read the Syllabus Notes for Friday 31st July 2026 for detailed information and the Rules & Conditions of Entry
Ensembles consist of 4-9 instruments only with NO accompaniment.
An interchange of 2 members is allowed as long as there are no more than 9 on stage at any one time.
SEE SYLLABUS page for details on how to enter.
Instrumental Ensemble Sections
Depending on number of entries, some SECTIONS may be divided, combined, cancelled or have entries CLOSED EARLY when capacity is reached
n/a – Junior Instrumental Ensemble – Year 6 & under – none for 2026
9.50am – Senior ‘A’ Instrumental Ensemble – Year 12 & under
11.00am – Senior ‘B’ Instrumental Ensemble – Year 12 & under
12.50pm – Intermediate Instrumental Ensemble – Year 9 & under
ANNOUNCE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE CHAMPION
ANNOUNCE AUSTA AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING STRING ENSEMBLE
For full Friday details click HERE (updated 07/07/2026)
(See the Program page for full program)