Featured Artist and Backing Vocalist Application 2022

Complete the online application form to apply.

Applications close on Thursday 2 June 2022 at 5:00pm

What is a Featured Artist or Backing Vocalist?

Featured Artists and Backing Vocalists at the Schools Spectacular represent the best vocalists NSW Public Schools have to offer. This is an excellent platform for showcasing new talent to the rest of the state as well as the whole of Australia. This category includes vocal soloists and backing vocalists.

Audition Process

Read all details and confirm you are available for all dates.
Complete the online form. On your application add your two YouTube audition video links.
Upload a headshot showing your face clearly.
Submit your online application to the Schools Spectacular Team.

Audition video

Students involved in the show as Featured Artists will be initially selected via an online video audition. Students are asked to present two contrasting pieces in their audition video.

An example of this could be a ballad and an up tempo piece in your chosen genre or pieces from two different music styles i.e. Rock and Musical Theatre.

Each video should be no longer than 2 minutes. Choose a 2 minute excerpt of the song that showcases your talent.

Please read the tips below for more information about what the panel is looking for.

Following the online video auditions, successful students may be invited to attend live auditions in Sydney before final selections are made.

2021-2022 Talent Development Project (TDP) graduating class students

Students who are in the Talent Development Project graduating class of 2022 are not required to send an online video audition however they must complete an online application form. These students will automatically be eligible for the first round of live auditions.

Students who made it through to the Final Round of Featured Artist live auditions in 2021

Students who made it to the final round of Featured Artist live auditions in 2021 are not required to send an online video audition however they must complete an online application form. These students will automatically be eligible for the first round of live auditions.

Important dates

Featured Artists must be able to attend rehearsals and performances on all the dates listed below.

Key dates for Featured Artists and Backing Vocalists

Early Term 2	Online applications open
Thursday 2 June 2022 at 5:00pm	Online applications close & online video auditions due
Early June 2022	Students notified of acceptance into live audition
Monday 20 June – Thursday 23 June 2022	Live auditions at The Arts Unit, Sydney – first round
Tuesday 26 July – Thursday 28 July 2022	Live auditions at The Arts Unit, Sydney – final round
Friday 29 July 2022	Backing Vocalist audition – Live audition at The Arts Unit, Sydney
Early August 2022	Students notified of their acceptance into show
Friday 16 September 2022	Featured Artist / Featured Instrumentalists Publicity Day
Saturday 17 – Sunday 18 September 2022	Featured Artist weekend rehearsal 1
Saturday 24 September – Thursday 29 September 2022	Featured Artist holiday rehearsal week
Saturday 15 October – Sunday 16 October 2022	Featured Artist weekend rehearsal 2
Saturday 22 October – Sunday 23 October 2022	Featured Artist weekend rehearsal 3
Thursday 27 October – Sunday 30 October 2022	Featured Artist rehearsal 4 and styling
Monday 31 October 2022	First combined dance rehearsal – Qudos Bank Arena
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November 2022	Featured Artist weekend rehearsal 5
Monday 7 November – Wednesday 9 November 2022	Featured Artist direction days
Saturday 12 November – Sunday 13 November 2022	Featured Artist weekend rehearsal 6
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November 2022	Orchestra and Stage Band sitzprobe
Monday 21 November to Wednesday 23 November 2022	Rehearsals at Qudos Bank Arena
Thursday 24 November 2022	Full dress rehearsal
Friday 25 November 2022	Schools preview and evening performances
Saturday 26 November 2022	Matinee and evening performances

Please note: Students wishing to be a Featured Artist or Backing Vocalist for the 2022 Schools Spectacular must be available for all dates listed above. The only exceptions will be for rehearsals that directly clash with students’ HSC examinations. Students may not be needed on all dates but must be available, to the best of their knowledge, at the time of applying.

Cost

Featured Artists are required to pay a costume and prop fee. This may include the purchase or hire of elements for the production. The cost will be direct debited from the students school. Students will pay their school directly once they have been notified of their acceptance into the show.

The approximate cost for costumes in 2022 is $150 as a Featured Artist and $120 as a Backing Vocalist.

Tips from the audition panel

Make sure the balance between the soloist and the accompaniment (backing track/piano/band/etc.) is correct. It is critical that the person auditioning can be clearly heard.

Record your audition in a room with a neutral acoustic. The school hall or auditorium will often have too much echo to record a video. The school’s music classroom will normally have the best acoustic for recording your audition.

Students should discuss and review their audition video with their school music teacher prior to submitting it.

It is important that ample time is spent rehearsing for, recording and reviewing the audition video. It is very obvious to the audition panel when video auditions are rushed.

Performance presentation (stance/dress/stage presence/etc.) as well as vocal/instrumental talent will be taken into account when evaluating auditionees.

Film your video in landscape mode

The video below provides some audition tips that may help you with your audition process.

For more audition tips, visit The Arts Unit website.

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.