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I 21 July 2026
Farm tours and fine food on the menu for the curated plate Page 16
Eumundi School Of Music marks 10 years as the latest crop of young talent gathers to prepare for the Mini Festival on Saturday, 22 August.
Noosa Picklers claim medals on pickleball podium Page 32
Eumundi School of Music celebrates 10 years of new talent BY SARAH JANE SCOTT MORE than 300 young musicians have found their rhythm through the Eumundi School of Music (ESOM) over the past decade, with the not-for-profit program celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Founded by five-time ARIA award-winning singer songwriter Katie Noonan and a team of Sunshine Coast professional musicians, the school was established to nurture young performers who already had a passion for music and wanted to take their skills to the next level.
Over the past 10 years, ESOM has provided mentoring and tuition scholarships to hundreds of aspiring musicians from across the Sunshine Coast, helping many progress to professional music careers or further study at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and the University of the Sunshine Coast. This year's intake attracted talented young performers from across the region, with auditions held over several days at The Imperial Hotel in Eumundi. ESOM Music Director Jimmy Halliday said the standard of applicants continued to impress.
“There’s some serious talent in the students selected this year – across all areas of vocals, keys, guitar, bass and drums,” he said. After auditions, the teaching team carefully matched successful students into bands based on their musical styles, experience and ambitions. “We then held a wonderful gathering in Caplick Park Eumundi, where the students all came together, met their new bandmates and brainstormed band names,” Jimmy said. The creative process has already produced memorable names including Compass, Red
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Bin Chicken, Real Creations and Solidified. Students are now working one-on-one with professional musician mentors to refine their skills before joining their bands for rehearsals ahead of the program's major public performance. The celebrations will culminate with the Eumundi School of Music's 10th Anniversary Mini Festival at the Eumundi School of Arts on Saturday 22 August, 4 to 10pm. Acclaimed Australian singer songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke will headline the milestone event, sharing the stage with this year's
ESOM bands, alumni performers and some of the Sunshine Coast's brightest emerging musical talent. The festival has become a highlight of the local music calendar, giving young performers the opportunity to play on a professionally-produced stage alongside established artists. Tickets are on sale now through Eventbrite, with adult tickets $49, concessions $39 and children $20. Children under five are free. Organisers are encouraging the community to come along and celebrate a decade of nurturing local musicians while supporting the next generation of performers to take the stage. We are giving you the chance to win two Hot Lap tickets with Murphy Racing at the QLD Raceway. Scan the QR code: - Read the article - Book your sales or rental appraisal - Enter the draw
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Cooroy Rag, 21 July 2026 - Page 1