Arts & Cultural Activities

Music

St John's student singing in a performance

Music plays a key role in everyday life at St John’s College

There are two official College bands: Heaven on Earth and Who Is John? as well as a string quartet and choir. The band convenors hold auditions for the College bands at the start of each academic year.

Each year, St John’s College hosts John’s Fest, a music festival on campus, where local, amateur, and nationally recognised bands perform.

Jazz Night is known as THE event of the year. It is held in a surprise location and attended by over 1,000 people who are told to dress to impress.

On a smaller scale, open mic and karaoke nights occur several times a semester at the Buttery.

Performance Opportunities

St John’s College offers a range of performance opportunities for our students.

Who is John? / Heaven on Earth

St John’s College is host to two excellent, student lead, bands. Who Is John? play a range of Pop and Rock covers, while Heaven on Earth feature a big brass and woodwind section, playing Pop, RnB and Jazz covers.

Both bands perform at St John’s College events, while also performing professional gigs outside of the College environment.

St John’s College Chapel Cantors

The St John’s College Cantors are four dedicated singers for our Chapel services throughout the year.

These singers lead the musical items in our Chapel services and receive further vocal coaching throughout the year to develop their solo and group singing.

Events

Throughout the year St John’s hosts many events with musical performances. Some are Jazz Night, Family Night, John’s Fest, Special Formal Dinners and Valedictory.

At these events our talented musicians have an opportunity to perform to other Johnians and members of our broader community.

Thomas Oliver St Johns Sports and Culture Awards Dinner 2025

Fine & Performing Arts

At St John’s College residents are broadly celebrated for their talents in the Fine Arts with opportunities both in the ICC and beyond. When students participate in theatre, exhibitions and other arts, a large contingent of Johnians whip-out to take in the show and cheer.

Within the college, other arts focused activities include a film festival, oratory and debating teams, and one act plays. With a proud tradition of artistic excellence and a long list of successful arts Alumni, St John’s continues to be a place where creativity thrives.

Artist in Residence

In 2025 St John’s was pleased to commission two works from the Inaugural Artist In Residence, Asha Stewart (featured in picture). This position allows a student artist the opportunity to create large scale works on a full commission.

Working with a mentor from the community, in a dedicated workspace, the Artist In Residence is given the opportunity to stretch the possibilities of their creative output. We look forward to seeing the contribution of many Artists in Residence years to come.

St John's College Music Society

Music Society musicians are available for hire for events in and around the community.

This program offers the students an opportunity to experience professional music making in a supported but independent manner at weddings, corporate events, birthdays, dinners, ceremonies, and more.

Our musicians specialise in a variety of styles, including classical piano, intimate jazz, and energetic rock, ensuring the ideal match for any function.

Further support through alumni networking, masterclasses and recital opportunities are also provided.

Music Society Performance enquiries

ICC Cultural Competitions

St John's College Heaven On Earth

ICC Dancefest

St John's College Heaven On Earth

ICC Dancefest

St John's College Heaven On Earth performing

ICC College Idol competition

ICC chess

The Inter College Competition (known as the ICC) is a multi-discipline competition that runs throughout the year. All 10 of the University of Queensland Colleges located at the University of Queensland are eligible to compete in a variety of sports, cultural competitions and community events.

Students can be involved by signing up for trials/ selections in the first couple of weeks at college. Senior student convenors select the best representatives for each competition, but there is no requirement for previous experience, and all students are encouraged to try-out.

St John’s is an ICC Cultural Competition juggernaut. We have won the overall ICC Cultural competition 16 times since the ICC Cultural Cup was first established 28 years ago. St John’s College has dominated the Bandfest competition with seven back-to-back wins between 2019-2025 and rounded out the 2025 competition year with a 1st overall placing in the 2025 ICC Cultural Cup.

To learn more about the ICC Cultural Competition follow this link Brisbane College Events | UQ Sport

Supporting the Arts

St John’s is proud to support students in the creative, fine and performance arts at the University of Queensland, the Queensland University of Technology, the Queensland College of Art and Design Griffith University and the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.

As with all academic subject areas, St John’s makes a firm commitment to providing tutors and/or academic support for every subject. Students with a particular interest in the arts and can access staff, alumni and tutor support at any time throughout the academic year.

More About Academic Support & Tutorial Program

The arts are at the heart of life at St John’s College