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ABOUT
The Oz Schools Instrumental Championships - a competition for Australia's best up-and-coming musicians.
The Oz Schools Instrumental Championships (OSIC) is a new event dedicated to celebrating and nurturing the musical talents of school-age students across Australia. Over 10 weeks, outstanding young musicians will come together to showcase their talents in piano, strings, drums and guitar. Qualifying students are invited to compete in their respective state final, with top placing students from each state progressing to the OSIC National Championship.
OSIC is an opportunity to gain performance experience, expert feedback and recognition in music performance.
It's free to audition,
and any student attending school in Australia is eligible!
Students can obtain a place in OSIC via a successful audition, a successful nomination, or by placing
1st, 2nd or 3rd in an Australian eisteddfod
(between August 2024 and August 2025).
Students have until their respective state's deadline to submit a video audition on their instrument (any piece)!
Past recordings of performances are welcomed!
Over $50,000 worth of prizes and trophies will be awarded throughout the event to placing students!
THE PATH TO THE FINALS
Students across NSW, QLD, WA, SA & VIC will follow this pathway to the OSIC National Final in each instrument and age category!
Auditions / Nominations / Eisteddfods
State Finals
WA
SA
NSW
VIC
QLD
National Final
OSIC National Champion
ELIGIBILITY
There are 3 ways students can qualify for OSIC:
audition, nomination or eisteddfod result.
AUDITION:
Students can submit an audition (for free) directly to the OSIC panel by following the link below, or emailing it to admin@osic.com.au.
NOMINATION
Teachers, parents, mentors and friends can nominate young musicians demonstrating exceptional talent or dedication.
EISTEDDFOD:
Placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in an Australian eisteddfod between August 2024 and August 2025 is an automatic qualification for the respective state's final.
2025 VENUES
A sneak peak at the stages hosting OSIC in 2025!
The State Library of Queensland (SLQ)
The State Library of Queensland (South Bank) will host all Queensland State Finals across Auditoriums 1 and 2 – leading performance venues within one of
Brisbane’s most iconic cultural venues.
Collarts (The Australian College of the Arts)
OSIC returns to Collarts in 2025! This year the university's
cutting-edge Wellington Street campus will host all
Victorian State Finals, and the OSIC National Championship.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
UNSW (Kensington Campus) will host all NSW State Final performances across Io Myers Studio and Studio One -
two dynamic, purpose-built venues at the heart of UNSW’s vibrant arts precinct.
Crescendo Music / Vision Studios
WA State Finals will take place across 2 amazing venues! Vision Studios sets the stage for our high-energy drum and guitar performances, while Crescendo Music’s intimate Performance Hall hosts piano and strings.
Wizard Tone Studios
SA State Finals will take place at Wizard Tone Studios, a top-tier recording and rehearsal space known for its warm acoustics and creative atmosphere.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PAST EVENTS
2024 saw the launch of the Victorian Schools Instrumental Championships (VSIC), a state-level event exclusively for Victorian students. After a successful debut, the event has evolved into OSIC in 2025 — five Australian State Finals, culminating in an OSIC National Final for the best of the best!
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Read more about our past events below:
2024 VSIC JUDGES
A massive thanks to our incredible team of judges for making our 2024 Victorian State Final an event to remember!
STRINGS
Suzannah is a celebrated professional violinist who began her musical journey at age 4. Now a sought-after performer and teacher, she blends classical training with a passion for electric violin. Suzannah's impressive resume includes performances at the Women's FIFA World Cup and the Melbourne Cup Carnival, sharing the stage with Kygo, Delta Goodrem and Katy Perry.
Suzannah Calvert
DRUMS
Campbell is a distinguished drummer who has significantly influenced Australian drumline culture. He has performed with the Top Secret Drum Corps and collaborated with major artists including What So Not and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Campbell is the founder of D²Drumline and an international artist for the leading brands; Pearl, Zildjian, Evans, Promark and Zoom audio.
Campbell Phillips
PIANO
Nathan is an accomplished pianist with experience in all facets of performance and education. Having studied under Dr Mark McGee at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, he has since directed a variety of highly regarded music programs in school, instrumental, choral and musical theatre settings. Nathan is an advocate for access to music education and has held committee roles in music education organisations including ANCA, aMuse and ACCET, and the current MD for the West Gippsland Chorale
Nathan Byrne
GUITAR
Fiona is a multi-award-winning guitarist and founder of Firebird School of Music. With over 20 years of experience, she is known for her versatile
guitar style, blending melodic fingerpicking with
rhythmic blues. Fiona performs as a solo folk rock artist and has worked with renowned musicians including Hayley Mary and Ali Barter.
Fiona Steele
