Every year, the HICES music festival unites talented students from across the state, and this August, 13 exceptional students from Nowra Anglican College (NAC) were invited to attend. What they didn't know was just how much they'd be challenged, and how much they would grow.

The festival kicked off on a Sunday evening with the first rehearsal. The difficult repertoire immediately showcased the complexity of the music, and our students, ready to dedicate themselves to the task, embraced the challenge. They forged on, determined to master the entire program in time for Wednesday night's performance.

Monday brought a glimmer of hope with a beautiful, sunny day, but the good weather didn't last. When the rain rolled in, all outdoor activities were cancelled. The teachers, ever resourceful, quickly turned the bad weather into a good thing, realising the only way to keep everyone busy was to keep them in rehearsal. By the end of the camp, most ensembles had logged an impressive 16 to 17 hours of playing time.

By Wednesday, everything was wet, including the tired students we loaded onto the bus. We headed into town for a final rehearsal, followed by the main event: the concert. Each of the seven ensembles, all featuring at least one NAC student, performed an exciting range of repertoire. The grand finale was a spectacular performance of "Make Our Garden Grow" from Leonard Bernstein's Candide Operetta, a piece that brought together 431 students and 68 staff for a truly unforgettable moment.

After the concert, it was time for the long journey home, with most students arriving after 1 a.m. The next day, it was incredibly impressive to see our students back at school, particularly one who even made it to the Thursday morning band rehearsal at 7:45 a.m.

The camp was challenging and tiring, but every student came away with new friends, renewed motivation, and a powerful sense of accomplishment.

Mr John Dunstan
(Acting Head of Performing Arts K-12) 

Looking Ahead to HICES 2026

Are you a keen musician? Think about joining us for the HICES Years 5-8/Jazz Academy in 2026. Our CAPA staff will be on the lookout for interested students early next year.

A huge thank you to all the CAPA staff who attended and supported our students, as well as to those who put in countless hours organising auditions and paperwork beforehand. And finally, a massive congratulations to all the students who came along. We hope the experience of HICES will continue to inspire and motivate you in all your musical endeavours.