Schools Spectacular
Combined signing choir
Applications for this category are now closed.
The Schools Spectacular offers an opportunity to NSW Public School groups with choirs who enjoy expressing themselves through sign language. The combined signing choir is an excellent platform for developing and showcasing signing performance skills from new, emerging, and experienced talent. This category is open to NSW Public School students in Years 4 to 12.
The Schools Spectacular production team may modify the categories or cast numbers depending on the number of applications received, and the creative direction or production requirements of the show. In the instance that any changes occur, schools will be notified.
Audition process
Schools involved in the signing choir category will be selected via the following process:
1. Record video audition
Schools are asked to present two contrasting pieces (eg. ballad and up-tempo) that will allow the audition panel to assess students’ skills and performance quality. Items should be no more than two minutes in length.
2. Upload the videos and submit an application form
- Schools may nominate up to 24 students for their audition. Only the number of students present in the video will be considered.
- The entire group may not be selected. The exact number selected for your group will be notified upon acceptance.
- Audition videos need to be uploaded to YouTube and the video link submitted with the application form. For assistance with uploading your video, please refer to the How to upload a video to YouTube guide.
3. Confirmation email
The contact teacher will receive a confirmation email once the application has been submitted, and the school principal will be notified to endorse the application.
4. Notification of results
All applicants will be notified of their results by Term 2 Week 9.
Key dates for signing choir
| Date | Time | Details | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 29 Jan | Applications open | ||
| Mon 8 Apr | 5:00 pm | Applications close | |
| Fri 21 June | Application results sent |
|
|
| Mon 28 Oct | TBC | Item rehearsal 1 | TBC |
| Mon 4 Nov | TBC | First Combined Rehearsal | |
| Mon 11 Nov | TBC | Item rehearsal 2 | TBC |
| Mon 25 Nov | TBC | Item rehearsal 3 |
TBC |
| Wed 27 Nov | TBC | Second combined rehearsal day 1 | |
| Thu 28 Nov | TBC | Second combined rehearsal day 2 Dress rehearsal |
|
| Fri 29 Nov | 11:00 am and 7:00 pm | Schools Spectacular performance | |
| Sat 30 Nov | 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm | Schools Spectacular performance |
Cost
The costume and prop fee will be $120 per student.
Costume costs will be direct debited from the school. Students will need to pay the costume fee directly to their school once they are notified of their acceptance into the production.
Audition tips
- Please do not submit a video of the students in a performance (such as a school performance/presentation night or dance festival). Please submit a current video.
- Audition videos should be filmed in a school hall or dance classroom with normal room lighting.
- Please film your video in a room that has the window or doorway covered so that light from outside doesn’t interfere with the quality of the video.
- Performance presentation and ability to captivate and entertain an audience will be taken into account when evaluating auditionees.
- 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.
For more audition tips, visit Top tips for auditioning.
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 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 the show week.
