We provide transformative experiences, united through collaboration, in pursuit of musical excellence.
To provide exceptional opportunities for HICES students and staff through serious music making, where dedicated teachers work with enthusiastic, committed students towards common musical goals
Paul Jarman has been appointed as Patron of the HICES Music Festival, bringing national and international standing as a highly respected Australian composer, conductor and multi instrumentalist whose work consistently bridges artistic excellence with inclusive, participatory music education. Like former patron Richard Gill, Jarman is deeply committed to music as participation rather than privilege, with extensive experience in large scale choral and orchestral leadership, youth engagement and massed school and community festivals across Australia.
As one of the country’s most highly commissioned composers, with over three hundred works performed widely in Australia and internationally, his practice spans major cultural events, educational programs and socially responsive projects that explore historical, environmental and humanitarian themes, including culturally respectful collaborations with Indigenous elders. His long standing involvement in school and festival contexts, cultural diplomacy through international residencies, and ability to inspire confidence, musical integrity and connection in young performers align closely with HICES values, making him a natural successor to Richard Gill, and a patron who can both inspire and actively contribute to the festival’s vision.
Over the years, HICES has been privileged to have renowned musicians to inspire and inform our students – Mr Richard Gill AO (1997, 2016), Mr Howard Ionascu from Cambridge, UK (2007), Dr Andre Thomas, from Florida State University (2008), Dr Rollo Dilworth from Temple University, Philadelphia (2014), Dr Paul Terracini (2016), Mr Paul Jarman (2018, 2024) , Mr James Pensini (2023), Dr Michael Bradshaw (2023) Mr Guy Noble (2025), Mr Mark O’Leary OAM (2025, 2026).
The HICES Music Festival is a camp and concert program that annually brings together over 400 musicians from across HICES schools in New South Wales.
Our festival gives music students an opportunity to perform repertoire that might not otherwise be available to them through their individual schools.
The HICES Music Festival is truly a collaborative musical celebration.
“The great tradition of serious music-making is alive and well in the HICES Music Festival”.
Mr Richard Gill | Conductor | OA
