Complete the online application form to apply.

Applications close on Tuesday 14 June 2022 at 5:00pm.

What is Combined Choir – Primary

The Combined Choir showcases public school students from primary and secondary schools around NSW.  The choir is an impressive musical force within the production. The choir is divided into primary and secondary sections. Schools are selected based upon performance quality and musical balance.

Audition Process

Students in primary groups must be in Years 4 – 6.

Schools involved in the Combined Choir – Primary will be selected through an online video audition. Schools are asked to present one piece on the video. Primary choir auditions are preferable in two parts.

All school groups must submit an online audition video link.

Choir groups should be no more than 24 students.  It is possible that not all 24 students will be selected. Exact numbers will be notified on acceptance.

1. Read all details and confirm you are available for all dates.
2. Complete the online form. On your application add your YouTube audition video links.
3. Submit your online application to the Schools Spectacular Team.

Audition resources

To assist schools with auditioning in 2022, The Arts Unit has produced a choir audition resource package for the song ‘Go For Broke’. Schools can choose to audition for the 2022 Schools Spectacular using this song or a song of their choosing.

‘Go For Broke’ audition resource

Key dates for Combined Choir Primary

Please note: Schools will be notified of exact details if successful.

Cost

There will be a small cost of up to $80 per student in the choir for costume and prop items.

The cost of the items per student will be direct debited from your school. Students will pay their school directly once the school has been notified of their acceptance into the show.

Audition Tips

• Ensure you choose an audition song that best displays the skills of your choir – ballads are often more appropriate than up-beat pop songs.  Simple repertoire performed beautifully is better than difficult repertoire performed poorly. Consider using the song resource available on this site “Go For Broke”.

• While multi-part repertoire is encouraged, your choir’s unison blend is the most important factor.

• Choirs should sing with energy but should never yell; lost voices (droners) will disadvantage your choir.

• Treble choirs should be encouraged to use a clear, well-supported head-voice (without sounding breathy).

• Vowels should be uniform and round – opening the mouth and dropping the jaw in a relaxed, comfortable way will create a full, mature sound.

• Each choir is evaluated using the following criteria: blend, tone, phrasing, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, harmony, diction, appropriate song choice, performance presentation and discipline.

• To improve the ensemble’s pitch make sure they can hear the accompaniment – turn speakers towards the choir if necessary.

• On your recording, make sure the accompaniment doesn’t overwhelm the sound of the choir.

• The camera should be placed on a fixed tripod showing the entire choir (Single shot, no panning or zooming).   It doesn’t matter if we see the conductor or not.

• There should be no pre-recorded vocals if the choir is performing to a backing track and teachers should not be singing with the choir in the audition video.

• Movement is not required on the audition (and should never detract from the singing).

• Film your video in landscape mode.

For more audition tips, visit The Arts Unit website.

Supervision

• All students at the Schools Spectacular must be supervised by a teacher at all times.

• Schools must provide a supervising teacher for the following categories: Combined Dance, Combined Choir, Specialist Ensembles, Aboriginal Dance Ensemble, Combined Drama Ensemble and D’Arts Ensemble students.

• Each group will require their own supervising teacher even if they are from the same school.

• Relief for supervising teachers is the responsibility of the school.

• Teachers are encouraged to provide active supervision at all times and support the production team during rehearsals and show week.

How to upload a video to YouTube

• Ensure your video on YouTube is marked as ‘unlisted’. 
• Please check that your video URL works before submitting it with your application. Video links that cannot be viewed by the panel cannot be considered.

How to upload a video to YouTube