State and Nationwide Ensemble Organisations

Australian National Choral Association

Nationally, a list of some hundreds of choirs that perform many different styles of music.  You search by state. The list of choirs does not necessarily indicate location so you may have to poke around to discover which choirs are accessible to you. The amount of information varies enormously from choir to choir. Some give website addresses where you can seek more information. But in many cases you may have to contact the choir directly to find out what you need to know. More information: http://www.anca.org.au/index.html

Australian Pipe Band Community Website

A terrific resource for pipes and drums. A moderate number of ensembles are listed for WA. The information supplied by each ensemble is highly variable. Many groups do not have their own web pages. Most groups welcome learners and provide training and equipment.  Age range for participants: not stated.
Style of music: pipe bands
Nature of program: tuition provided within each ensemble
More information: http://www.australianpipebands.com/

Federation of Australian Mandolin Ensembles

An organisation which aims: to promote community involvement in the formation of orchestras of plucked string instruments; to promote such orchestras to achieve the highest musical standards possible; to promote the training of players and conductors; to encourage musicians to compose and arrange music for mandolin orchestras.  Member backgrounds range from folk through light popular to classical and playing ability from beginner to professional. Activities include conventions, workshops, newsletters, scholarships for students, and encouragement to composers to expand the repertoire. Community involvement by the member ensembles is encouraged. More information: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~fameweb/

Infolink

This Government and Community database operated by LISWA, the State Library of WA (how did they make that acronym??), provides a comprehensive listing of musical groups and musical appreciation societies (currently numbering 102) in Perth from A Cappella Go to the West Australian Wind Orchestra. Each entry describes the aim of the group, annual fees, meeting places and contacts. No web or email contacts are provided, however. More information: http://henrietta.liswa.wa.gov.au:81/search/d?SEARCH=music

Jazz Western Australia

List a number of performing jazz ensembles in WA. The list does not indicate the professional/amateur status of each group, or the location of the ensemble. Links for each ensemble give more information, including contact details.  More information: http://www.jazzwa.com/

Midland Brick Brass Band

A band based in Perth, their website features a number of WA bands, including several not included in the list posted by the West Australian Band Association (see below) as well as a goodly number from elsewhere around the country. More information:  http://www.wabrass.com/index.php?area=links

musicteachers.mu - The Ultimate Music Teacher Directory & Resource

A nation-wide list of ensembles, mostly orchestras, grouped as Professional, Amateur, or Youth. More information: http://www.musicteachers.mu/mu

Orchestras Australia

A listing of symphony orchestras both amateur and professional. The website has a list of members in each state. Information is provided only by links to each orchestraís website - and not all have websites. If you see the name of an orchestra that might be of interest but has no website, please contact the office for more details. More information: http://www.orchestrasaustralia.org.au/

Individual Ensembles

The Western Australian Youth Orchestra Association (Inc.)

"The Western Australian Youth Orchestra Association (WAYO) is the geographically most isolated youth orchestra association in the world. Based in Perth, WA, we currently have 400 members in 6 orchestra and bands drawn from across WA. We present up to 60 concerts per year throughout WA, broadcast to yearly audiences of over 150,000 on ABC Classic FM and tour internationally when possible. We are dedicated to musical excellence and are proud to support the Music Council of Australia in its vital campaign to generate awareness of the benefits of learning a musical instrument." More information: http://www.wayma.asn.au/