SHEP Gala 2026 – Program Information Presented by Open Conservatorium Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
ON ARRIVAL Please note that entry to Queensland Conservatorium is via the staircase in South Bank Parklands or the Grey Street Staircase. There is no entry available via the ground floor. Lift access is available next to both staircases. Participants are to meet SHEP Staff in the main foyer on level 2. Staff will direct participants to their rehearsal room. Parents are not permitted to enter the rehearsal room. Participants are to wear their name tag while attending.
CONTACT DETAILS Administration/Absentee/Late arrivals/Emergency Open Conservatorium Office
T 07 3735 6337 E open-conservatorium@griffith.edu.au Room 2.37J, Level 2, Queensland Conservatorium
WHAT TO BRING? String and Band Participants • Musical Instrument and collapsible music stand with name clearly marked; spare reeds, valve oil, slide grease, mutes, rosin, spare strings, cello & double bass stops. • Trumpet/Trombone: bring spit rags, straight and/or cup mutes for your instrument, if you do not own mutes, please check with your school instrumental teacher to request approval to borrow this equipment. • Percussion: provide their own sticks and mallets. Food • Please ensure you bring adequate food for the day of the program as participants will not be able to leave Queensland Conservatorium. Participants will receive pizza for dinner as per their registration selection. • Other than the pizza dinner - all food/drinks will need to be supplied for the participant during the program. All Participants • Pencil and eraser, lip balm, refillable water bottle, jacket/ jumper.
PROGRAM TIMES 7.30 am
Registration
6.30 pm - 8 pm
SHEP Gala Concert
Foyer, Level 2, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University 140 Grey Street, South Brisbane. Conservatorium Theatre, Level 2, Queensland Conservatorium.
8.10 pm
End SHEP Gala
Participants to be collected from the foyer.
CONCERT TICKETS Tickets to the 6.30 pm concert are $22 each. Participants do not need to purchase a ticket, this is included in their registration. Tickets for family, friends and anyone who wishes to attend are available via: SHEP Gala 2026 Concert
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? Rehearsals Participants are required to wear appropriate clothing (eg school free dress day) and covered flat footwear (not thongs, sandals, high heels). Participants not wearing appropriate clothing or footwear will not be able to participate until this is provided to them.
Concert This is the Grand Finale of participants SHEP experience over the years and Concert Blacks are the preferred dress. If participants need to get changed from their rehearsal clothing into their concert clothing, they will need to do so in the pizza dinner break prior to the concert. When choosing your Concert Blacks remember that musicians are seated higher (on a stage) and will need to be able to move and perform comfortably.
MUSIC ISSUE Participants will receive their music on the day the program commences.
GENERAL INFORMATION Attendance
Participants are expected to make themselves available for all rehearsals and the concert performance. If you have an event (e.g., family, school, sporting, community, religious) that you know will preclude you from any part of the rehearsals or concert you must decline the offer to participate so we can extend the invitation to another student. At no time during the event are participants permitted to leave the venue during the daily activities. No early or late passes available. Participants choosing to leave for any period for any reason other than medical grounds, choose to withdraw themselves from the remainder of the program. No refund will be applicable in this circumstance.
Accommodation / Transport
Students/families attending this program are required to organise their own transport and accommodation as required.
Parking
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Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Parking offers a discounted rate for SHEP Gala participants and their families. To obtain this discount you will need to sign up to their system using this link: BCEC Parking link. Once you have signed up to the Pay Per Use option you will receive a QR Code to your email address which will enable your entry and exit to parking. Please note - this is for one entry and one exit only. If you choose to exit and re-enter you will be charged again. Street parking around South Bank is limited. Off-street parking is available at SW1 - Secure Parking in Cordelia Street (South Brisbane), Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and South Bank Parklands. Due to external activity occurring in and around the South Bank precinct there is no set down/collection access for the Queensland Conservatorium.
Public Transport
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University is diagonally opposite the South Brisbane Train Station and within easy walking distance of the Cultural Centre Busway and South Bank City Cat stops.
Behaviour
Inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Open Conservatorium reserves the right to exclude from the program any participant who, in its opinion, places in jeopardy the safety or rights of others, or who appears to have rejected the reasonable controls placed upon them by the management and staff of the program. In this circumstance there will be no refund of any fees paid by the participants excluded from the program.
Desking Placements
Participants must be aware that their location in the ensemble is for the best benefit of the ensemble, and therefore the best outcome for themselves during the program. Desking placements will be flexible throughout the first rehearsal and as required and thereafter. Conductors will make any changes as required and ensemble members are asked to assist with this. Conductors may also rotate positions/parts.
Equipment/Instruments
Participants will be responsible for providing their own instruments and related equipment and property for all Open Conservatorium program rehearsals and performances. Participants remain responsible for insuring their own instruments and related equipment and property for all risk of loss, damage or theft.
No Liability
To the extent permitted by law, we do not accept responsibility for any claim arising from any loss, theft or damage suffered by the Participant in relation to their instruments and/or related equipment or property.
Discrimination/Harassment
Queensland Conservatorium is committed to providing an environment that is safe, fair, and free from discrimination and harassment for all program participants. Discrimination is defined as unfair or inequitable treatment on the basis of a person’s race, colour, gender, sexual preference, age, disability, ethnic or national original, religious or political affiliation. Harassment is defined as behaviour, comments or images, that are unwelcome, offensive or intimidating, and that, in the circumstances, a reasonable person should have expected would be offensive or intimidating.
Duty of Care
Queensland Conservatorium cares and acknowledges the broad principles underpinning the duty of care obligations imposed on educational institutions. The principles include those of a general nature, standard of care and parameters of duty of care. Participants are requested to observe guidelines and instructions as advised by staff at all times. Please be aware that staff will be on duty from the arrival time to 20 minutes post the end time listed in the schedule - on site at the venue. Please be aware that staff are unable to deliver/collect participants from nearby areas (eg train/bus stations, roadside pick-ups). Duty of care is limited to the event venue.
Evacuation Procedures
Participants should expect a standard evacuation/fire drill procedure. P r o j e c t s t a f f may also brief participants on designated exit and regrouping areas in the event evacuation is required.
First Aid/Medical
A First Aid Officer will be on site at all times during the program should participants require assistance. Participant requests for headache medication will always be referred to parents for approval. If participants are bringing any medication, please place this in their bag with instructions or hand to the Program Coordinator on arrival.
Withdrawal/Refunds
SHEP Gala fees are generally non-refundable. Withdrawing from the SHEP Gala Program will create balance issues within the ensemble. Cancellations received the week before and week of the program may not be eligible for a refund unless it is due to medical reasons and a doctor’s certificate is provided; if approved an administration fee will be deducted. Students who have commenced the program and then withdraw are not eligible for a refund. Any application for refund must be in writing to open-conservatorium@griffith.edu.au.