Music programs
Artarmon Public School has an innovative and thriving music program. From its early beginnings as a Fife and Drum Band in the 1950s to its current program Artarmon PS has always embraced the value of Music Education.
Currently we offer Band, Strings and Guitar ensembles and tuition for Year 3-6. All students are placed in Ensembles that rehearse regularly each week.
The program consists of 4 concert bands, 1 jazz band, 1 school orchestra, 4 strings ensembles and guitar ensembles, with more than 300 students participating.
Each Ensemble participates in competitions and performances throughout the year, such as the
National & NSW Band Championships, Sydney Eisteddfod, Festival of Instrumental Music, Conservatorium of Music Concert, Concourse Concert, Carols Night, Music Camp and many School performances.
Band, Strings and guitar have been highly successful in competitions, consistently winning National, State and regional competitions over many years of participation.
Our Ensembles have also recorded and released several CDs and digital albums.
Music offerings at Artarmon
Students from Years 3 to 6 are given the opportunity to join the band. 200 students from these years participate across 5 bands, which include a training band, junior band, concert band, senior concert band, and a jazz band. We also have created an orchestra, in co-operation with the strings program.
Download the 2026 band information pack
Email the band convenor:
Students from Years 3 to 6 are given the opportunity to join a string ensemble. Violins, cellos, and double basses are available to hire through the Strings Committee. There are annual tryouts in Term 4 for Year 2 and Year 3 students who are interested in learning a string instrument. The strings program is coordinated by the String Committee which is made up of parent volunteers. These parents give their time generously to coordinate instrument hire, finances, tutors, concerts, and special events.
Download the 2026 string information pack
Email the sting convenor:
Junior and Senior Guitar Performance groups play music from a wide range of music genres. They perform at The Concourse Concert, Open Days, School Fete, Carols Night and other times during the year.
Download the 2026 guitar information pack
Email the guitar convenor:
Matthew Walmsley has been a teacher, conductor and tuba player in Australia for thirty years.
As a conductor, Matthew currently directs the band program at Artarmon Public School and the Northern Youth Symphonic Winds, both of whom have had many successes at National, State and regional competitions, consistently gaining first places over many years.
As a tuba player, Matthew has performed with Opera Australia since 1999 and performed as Guest Principal Tuba with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Matthew has also performed with the English National Ballet, Royal Ballet, Paris Ballet and Houston Ballet. Matthew was also Principal Tuba for the Australian Youth Orchestra in 1993/94. Matthew has won numerous National and State brass solo championships and has competed in International solo competitions in Germany, Italy and Japan. Matthew has recorded many movie and television series’ and commercials, such as Moulin Rouge, the Lego Movies, Peter Rabbit 1 and 2, the Disney Star Wars series, Netflix series’ and the 2000 Sydney Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Artarmon Public School Music has been a large part of Matthew’s career starting in 1994 with two bands of about 60 students. Over the past thirty years he has grown the program with the help of countless parents, principals and instrumental tutors to one of the largest and most successful school band programs in Australia.
Mr Mansukhani has over 20 years of experience as a string teacher and conductor. He has been the Strings Director at Artarmon PS since 2008. In addition to his role at Artarmon PS, Mr Mansukhani teaches violin/viola and conducts 7 additional string ensembles across 3 other schools in the North Shore.
Before devoting full-time to music education, Mr Mansukhani performed with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Australian Youth Orchestra, Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and SBS Youth Orchestra. He was a regular string tutor for the Sydney Youth Orchestras.
Mr Mansukhani is an active composer and arranger. His original works have been performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and members of the Sydney Symphony Fellowship Program. His string compositions and arrangements have been performed by professional orchestras and school string orchestras in many different countries.
Have a question for our music committee?
Our amazing P&C parent volunteers can help you.
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