Music Programs

At Kegworth Public School, we believe music enriches every child's school experience. Our music program gives students the opportunity to learn an instrument, develop their skills, and perform as part of a supportive and enthusiastic community.

All K – 6 Kegworth students are taught the NSW Music Curriculum, which is delivered by a specialist music teacher. Co-curricular Music Ensembles at Kegworth Public School provide a chance for interested students to broaden their knowledge and practice of music.

Join the Kegworth Music Program

It improves their language and ability to read, helps with math skills, improves memory and attention, increases coordination, teaches discipline, improves social and emotional skills and inspires creativity.

Many students are involved in our Concert Band, String, Ukulele, Recorder and Choir ensembles. Rehearsals may take place before school, after school, or during lunchtimes and are conducted by highly experienced performing arts professionals.

background

supplementary

Music Ensembles at Kegworth

JUNIOR & SENIOR CONCERT BAND ENSEMBLE

The Concert Band is conducted by Mackenzie Cullen. Band program instruments are Trombone, Trumpet, Baritone/Euphonium, French Horn, Tuba, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Saxophone, Bassoon, Drum Kit/Percussion. Children in Years 2 to 6 are invited to join the Training and Concert Band Ensembles. Please find the Concert Band Handbook HERE.

JUNIOR & SENIOR STRING ENSEMBLE

The String Ensemble is conducted by Caroline Kelly. String ensemble instruments are Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass. Children in any year are invited to join the Junior String Ensemble. String students first complete one term (10 x weeks) of private lessons on their chosen instrument, after which they may join the String Ensemble. Please find the String Ensemble Handbook HERE.

KOOKABURRA CHOIR

The Kookaburra Choir is a volunteer choir, coordinated by Ms Georgina Ross. Any student in K-2 can join the Kookaburra Choir. Kookaburra Choir is held on Thursdays in the Rainbow Room from 11:05am - 11:45am.

PRIMARY CHOIR

Primary Choir is open to students in Years K-6 where the focus is on Pulse Alive and the Festival of Choral Music (FOCM).

RECORDER GROUP

The Recorder group meet weekly during school hours and have the opportunity to perform at The Festival of Instrumental Music at The Opera House.

UKELELE GROUP

The Ukelele Group meet weekly on Thursday's at lunchtime.

background

dark

OUR ENSEMBLE CONDUCTORS

Caroline Kelly - Strings Conductor

Caroline Kelly brings a wealth of experience, passion, and warmth to our strings program at Kegworth Public School. As the conductor of both our Junior and Senior Strings ensembles, she is a wonderful inspiration to our young musicians — and we're truly lucky to have her.

A fellow Kegworth mum, Caroline has grown our strings into the wonderful program it is today. She hosts our coffee concerts each term, and her passion for music shines through in her commitment to the ensembles she conducts and the students she teaches.

Caroline is a violinist and violin teacher with a career that spans orchestral performance, chamber music, and teaching. Originally from the UK and Ireland, she has performed with some of the world's finest ensembles, including the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the RTE Concert Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra, and the Birmingham Opera Company, among others. She has also been a valued member of several chamber groups, including the Shallid String Trio and the Southdene String Quartet.

Caroline holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the Royal Northern College of Music and a Postgraduate Diploma from the Royal College of Music in London, where she studied performance violin under the renowned Yossi Zivoni.

Since making Sydney her home in 2013, Caroline has continued to perform regularly, including with The Metropolitan Orchestra, while dedicating much of her time to teaching the next generation of string players. Alongside her role at Kegworth, she teaches violin at PLC Croydon, and MLC Burwood.

Caroline's own love of the violin began at age 7, and that lifelong joy for the instrument shines through in everything she does. Your kids are in wonderful hands.

Mackenzie Cullen — Band Conductor

Mackenzie Cullen brings fresh energy, international experience, and a genuine passion for teaching to the band program at Kegworth Public School. As an Inner West musician herself, she loves nothing more than sharing that passion with young players just starting out on their musical journey.

Mackenzie's own music education began at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, before going on to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she is currently completing a Bachelor of Performance, majoring in classical saxophone under Dr Michael Duke.

In 2024, Mackenzie toured Europe with the SCM Saxophone Orchestra and Chamber Choir, performing at prestigious venues across Austria, Slovenia and Italy. She has also toured internationally, performing alongside the US Air Force Jazz Band in Hawaii.

Alongside her performance studies, Mackenzie has undertaken further studies in music education at the Conservatorium, giving her broad exposure to different teaching styles and classroom settings — experience she brings into every rehearsal.

Mackenzie also performs regularly with several of her own ensembles across Sydney, including the Pentameter Quintet, Solstice Quartet, and the Mackenzie Cullen Jazz Quartet — each showcasing a different side of her musicianship, from classical to jazz.

Alongside Kegworth, Mackenzie tutors and conducts at schools across Sydney, including Willoughby, Drummoyne, Woollahra and Summer Hill Public Schools, as well as Inner Sydney High School and Newtown High School of the Performing Arts.

Mackenzie's warmth, versatility and genuine love of music make her a wonderful mentor for our young band musicians. It's a joy to watch her work with them week after week,

background

light

NSW Junior State Music Camp

Kegworth (and recent ex-Kegworth) students joined fellow musicians from across the state for a week of music and fun at NSW Junior State Music Camp. They learnt new skills, formed new friendships and came back ready to share their experiences with the many talented students at Kegworth.

Kegworth music at camp.jpeg