The Eumundi School of Music (ESOM) continues to strike a chord in the Sunshine Coast community a decade on, supporting more than 300 emerging young musicians with mentoring and tuition scholarships.
ESOM was founded by five-time ARIA Award-winning songstress Katie Noonan and a team of local professional musicians.
The ethos behind starting the school was to ignite a passion and love of music performance in students who were already playing music.
Many of the school alumni are now professional working musicians and studying at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and University of the Sunshine Coast.
ESOM music director (and trumpet supremo) Jimmy Halliday says this year’s competitive audition process took place over several days at The Imperial Hotel Eumundi and drew in young musicians from all corners of the Coast.
“There’s some serious talent in the students selected this year – across all areas of vocals, keys, guitar, bass and drums,” Halliday says.
Following the audition process, the teaching team forms ‘bands’ from the successful students – marrying the skillsets and musical aspirations of the young musicians.
One of the most exciting elements of the program is the Mini Festival concert with a full professional band and production.
The 2026 Mini Festival will take place on Saturday, August 22, at the Eumundi School of Arts.
The Mini Festival will showcase the 2026 bands, along with ESOM alumni and a popular act or musician headlining the night.
“Previous headliners have included The Superjesus, Tim Rogers, Frente, Clare Bowditch, Alex Lloyd, Abby Dobson and Dallas Frasca and we’ll soon reveal a very big name who’ll be headlining the concert this year,” Halliday says.
Visit eumundischoolofmusic.com.
