The Specialist Music Programme is about creating opportunities for high-performing musicians to work alongside similarly minded students, guided by tuition from professional musicians.
The aim of this unique programme is to provide the highest possible level of music education for our musically gifted secondary-aged students.
Back in 1995, the initial cohort of Burnside SMP students comprised 29 students, specialising in either Woodwind, Brass, Strings, Voice or Piano, however the programme has grown over the years and now has around 90 members, divided fairly evenly across years 9-13, and includes the opportunity to specialise in Jazz.
Entry is by audition; each year we welcome between 15 and 20 new members, mostly into Year 9, but also from upper year levels.
The programme follows a junior conservatoire style structure in its delivery, but within the structure of mainstream secondary education system. All SMP students therefore follow the same curriculum as the rest of the school and are fully integrated within co-curricular musical groups, such as orchestras, bands, and our school choirs.
Scholarship applications are now open for 2026 and we encourage those who are musically inclined to review our dedicated website. The application detail is available on the same website here.
Applications for scholarship positions close on Thursday 15 May at 3pm.
For those seeking a place in the SMP programme, and not wishing to apply for a scholarship, a further round of auditions will be held in July, with applications closing on Thursday 10 July.
