Eumundi School of Music celebrates 10 years

2026 ESOM students get together to brain storm band names.

It’s 10 years since Eumundi School of Music (ESOM) began – a not-for-profit program that has now gifted mentoring and tuition scholarships to 300+ young rockers from across the Sunshine Coast.

ESOM was founded by five-time ARIA Award winning songstress Katie Noonan, and a team of passionate Sunny Coast 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 Sunshine Coast University.

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 across the Coast.

“There’s some serious talent in the students selected this year – across all areas of vocals, keys, guitar, bass and drums,” Jimmy said.

Following the audition process, the teaching team formed “bands” from the successful students – marrying the skillsets and musical aspirations of the young musicians.

“We then held a gathering in Caplick Park Eumundi, where the students all came together, met their new bandmates and brainstormed band names,” he said.

Watch out for Compass, Red Bin Chicken, Real Creations and Solidified! Jimmy explained that the young musos have now been partnered with music teachers – all

professional musicians – for individual lessons to fine-tune their craft before the band rehearsals begin.

One of the most exciting elements of the program is the Mini Festival concert with full professional band and production. The 2026 Mini Festival will take place on Saturday August 22 at the Eumundi School of Arts showcasing the 2026 bands, along with ESOM alumni bands and a well-known band 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,” he said. 

ESOM is supported by Sunshine Coast Council, Regional Arts Fund/Flying Arts, Eumundi District Community Association, Experience Eumundi, Mooloolaba Music, The Imperial Hotel, Infinite Music, Rode Australia, Eumundi Rotary, Eumundi Historical Association, various local businesses, MP’s/Councillors and a team of volunteers.

For more info go to www.eumundischoolofmusic.com