About WAGSMS

The WA Government Music Society was founded in 1929 the objective to foster Music Education in Government Schools of Western Australia and to engage in such activities as will help to achieve this purpose.

The Society ran Concerts in High School halls for many years until 2001 when it moved the venue to Crown Theatre (formerly Burswood) and Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.

Over recent years it has conducted seven or eight concerts annually with participation from about 100 schools, over 5000 performers and audiences totalling 10,000 people.

Each Concert showcases a variety of school performances and solo acts that provides a snapshot of the amazing talent in public schools.

The involvement of so many talented West Australian children in these concerts certainly justifies the effort.

2025 WAGSMS COMMITTEE

Patron: Jay Peckitt, Director General Department of Education

President: Rohan Smith

Vice President: Bronwen Mears

Treasurer: Joanne Willesee & Daniel Joyce

Secretary: Linda Humphreys

Perth Concert and Soloist Co-ordinator: Melanie Spence

Mandurah Concert and Soloist Co-ordinator: Ab Chaudhry

Webmaster: Ash Bisdee

General Committee:

Russell Bembridge

David Carvosso

Kate Cullinane

Neil Darby

Jan Ruscoe

Joanne Willesee

Our New Logo

THE STORY OF WAGSMS NEW LOGO FOR OUR 95th ANNIVERSARY

As we look toward our centenary and reflect on the significance of our musical heritage, we have chosen to create a new, modern design for our WAGSMS logo this year.

"Wishing to pay homage to the history of our original logo, I chose to keep the colours of the logo as blue and yellow as I believe they also represent the ocean and the sand of our state. I also wanted to retain the image of Western Australia and the treble clef, representing the significance of our talented musicians across the state in government schools. The 2 white dots represent the 2 locations of our WAGSMS concert series;

Perth (Boorloo) and Mandurah (Mandjoogoordap).

The 8 blue dots above the logo represent the 8 beats in a traditional musical phrase and also acknowledge the traditional custodians of our land / boodja that we live and learn music upon. Finally, the 5 yellow wavy lines represent the musical stave as well as the gentle movement of the wind and the water around us.

After all, sound is always connected to nature.

I would like to thank Aunty Sharon Gregory for her consultation in this process of supporting our re-design of the new WAGSMS logo."

~ Ash Bisdee