The 2026 Junior Music Festival Wollongong will be held on Sunday November 1 at the Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium. 

Junior Music Festivals offer young music students the opportunity to perform in a friendly, relaxed and encouraging environment. They are held in various locations throughout Sydney and also Newcastle and Wollongong. They are open to students of both members and non-members of the MTA.

Instead of being divided into age groups, Junior Music Festivals are divided into sections by the grade/ability of the performer. This means that all participants have a chance to shine and even win prizes, even late beginners. Any recognised Exam board grading system is acceptable.

Trophy prizes are awarded in all sections, with all participants receiving a Certificate of Participation and a report from the adjudicator.  Entrants must be aged 18 years and under as at 31 July. They may enter for more than one venue. (See Junior Music Festival Terms & Conditions for further details).

ADJUDICATOR: ANDREW RUMSEY

M.Mus, B.Mus(hons), LRSM, Dip.ABRSM, AMusA

Andrew Rumsey is a classical pianist, accompanist, teacher and AMEB examiner whose international experience ranges from a Carnegie Hall debut in New York to performing at the Burning Man Festival in the Nevada Desert (in the same year). Graduating with a Master’s and First-Class Honours degrees from the Australian National University, Andrew has performed in China, Italy, Israel, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and the USA. He has participated in many international music festivals and residencies, and enjoys collaborating with artists around the world. A passionate advocate of Australian classical music, Andrew has given multiple world-premiere performances at home and abroad.

MARK MATTHEWS AUSTRALIAN COMPOSER AWARD  - The Mark Matthews Australian Composer Award will be offered at the Junior Music Festival Wollongong. For 2026, the fee for entering this section is $5 per student.

PIANO

The competitor must play a piece composed by Mark Matthews and the time limit will be 5 minutes. This award is open to piano students only, beginners to 6th Grade, duets not permitted. This section will be offered on the condition that 3 or more competitors have entered.

FLUTE

The competitor must play a piece composed by Mark Matthews and the time limit will be 5 minutes. This award is open to solo flute (with piano accompaniment) students only, beginners to 6th Grade. This section will be offered on the condition that 3 or more competitors have entered.

For any Mark Mathews compositions in the Beginners to 6th grade range- visit remarkablemusic.net

Prerequisite for entering this MMACA Section:

The competitor is required to enter and play in a JMF section in the Wollongong JMF, according to their grade/ ability level on any instrument or voice.

Cash prizes and a trophy will be awarded to the winners as follows:
Beginners to Grade 2 (Novice and Elementary)
1st Place    $25.00
2nd Place   $15.00
3rd Place    $10.00

Grade 3 to Grade 6 (Intermediate and Late Intermediate)
1st Place    $50.00
2nd Place   $30.00
3rd Place    $20.00

Entries now open through https://www.trybooking.com/DJETF

Closing date for entries is Sunday, October 25.

Wollongong program will be available here on Monday October 26