Defence Force School of Music

🎺Sound the Bugle - Did we see you at our first “At Home” Concert for 2026? 🎺

April has been a busy month for the Defence Force School of Music!

On April 15th, DFSM held the first “At Home” concert supported by the Royal Australian Navy Band and the Australian Army Band, as well as staff from DFSM and Headquarters Joint Training Command. This was closely followed by the Simpson Barracks Anzac Day Dawn Service and we were so proud to support this event along with our colleagues from the Australian Army Band.

These events marked the first public performances of our 2026 Band Officer Course students, Corporal Shane Landry and Captain Sione Uata (His Majesty's Armed Forces - Tonga), and provided valuable planning, rehearsal and performance experience in support of their training.

We look forward to welcoming you to our next performance:
At Home Presents: ‘Destinations’
📅 20th May 2026
⏰ 10:30am
📍 Newman Hall, Defence Force School of Music

🎟️ Bookings are now available via:

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1469961

Get ready for the Simpson Barracks Expo on Saturday, 14 March 2026.

Come experience a day in the life of and view military vehicles and equipment displays, demonstrations, live music performances by the Australian Army Band and even a flight simulator.

Meet from the Defence Force School of Signals, the Defence Force School of Music, the 4th Brigade - Australian Army, the Simpson Barracks Community Centre and ADF Careers.

Find out more and register via the QR Code below ⬇️

On the 3rd of December 2025, the Defence Force School of Music presented a concert to mark the graduation of members of the 2025 Band Officer Course.

The Band Officer Course is the Defence Force School of Music’s flagship course, and is an intense year of training covering the theoretical and practical disciplines required of a Music Director in an Australian Defence Force Band. Areas of study include band conducting and ensemble direction, music arranging and orchestration, advanced aural and harmony training, band ceremonial procedures, and preparation for the future command, leadership and management of Defence bands.

During the concert, the course members were commissioned by the Commander Joint Training Command, Colonel Paul Baker and the Commanding Officer Air Force Band, Squadron Leader Daniel Phillips, in preparation for their respective appointments to the Australian Army Band and Air Force Band in 2026.

We congratulate Flying Officer Michael Potts, Captain Stuart Fong and Captain Daniel Ford on their achievements and wish them well for their future careers.

Please join us in congratulating our newest Musician Initial Employment Training graduates, ABMUSN Katherine Howarth and ABMUSN Morgan Lacey. This intensive 28 day course prepares new ADF musicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in ADF bands.

We wish them well for their careers in the Royal Australian Navy Band.

The 30th of July marked a significant milestone in the history of the Defence Force School of Music (DFSM) as we bid farewell to Mr Ian Godfrey after instructing on his final residential aural training class.

Ian has spent over thirty years at DFSM, instructing across the full spectrum of musical promotion courses and shaping multiple generations of ADF musicians. Ian’s passion for teaching and his infectious good humour has made a lasting impression on all those fortunate to have benefitted from his instruction.

From the Commanding Officer, DFSM staff and learners from all services who have had the privilege of learning with you, Ian thank you for thirty years of musical excellence and good luck with your future endeavours.