Schools Spectacular
Enquiries
Featured artist – vocalist and backing vocalist
Applications for this category are now closed.
A featured vocalist or backing vocalist at the Schools Spectacular is a student from a NSW Public School who is a high-potential and gifted vocalist and performer, capable of leading the musical forces of the production. This category is open to students from Kindergarten to Year 12 from all parts of the state and is an excellent platform for developing and showcasing strong performance skills from new, emerging and experienced talent.
Audition process
The featured vocalist and backing vocalist audition occurs in three parts:
- video audition round
- first live audition round
- final live audition round.
Students from Kindergarten to Year 12 can apply for the featured vocalist and backing vocalist category.
Video audition round
1. Record video audition
Students are asked to present two contrasting pieces (for instance, ballad and up-tempo or rock and musical theatre) that will allow the audition panel to assess tone, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, diction and performance presentation. Items should be no more than two minutes in length. Items must represent an appropriate song choice for age.
2. Upload videos and submit an application form
Students who were featured vocalists or backing vocalists in the 2023 Schools Spectacular need to submit an application form; however, they will not be required to upload a video audition.
3. Email confirmation
Students will receive a confirmation email once the application has been submitted. The student's parent/carer and school principal will also receive an email asking them to endorse the application. Please note that endorsement from the student's principal and parent/carer is required to be considered for the featured artist role in Schools Spectacular.
4. Notification of results
All applicants will be notified of their video audition results by Term 1 Week 9.
First live audition round
1. Live audition
Successful applicants will be invited to attend the next part of the audition process, the first live audition round in Sydney. We anticipate that there will also be a possibility of live auditions in Mildura (at Pulse Far West), Coffs Harbour (at Compass) and Bega (at Compass). For the first live audition, students will perform in front of a panel. They will prepare and present two contrasting pieces.
We strongly encourage students to present different items to the two submitted for the video round, but this is not essential. Applicants should perform repertoire that best demonstrates their technical and performance skills. Repertoire should be no more than two minutes in length and must represent an appropriate song choice for age.
Students will also participate in a workshop supporting skill development and student wellbeing.
2. Notification of results
Applicants will be notified of their first live audition results by Term 2 Week 2.
Final live audition round
1. Live audition
If successful in the first live audition, students will progress to the final live audition round. In this round, students will be given short excerpts of songs being considered for the 2024 Schools Spectacular to assess their suitability for the show's content. Students will be required to prepare and present these excerpts to the panel.
2. Notification of results
All applicants will be notified of their final live audition results by Term 2 Week 9.
Key dates for featured vocalist and backing vocalists
Listed below is the full featured vocalist rehearsal schedule. Not all dates will be required. Featured and backing vocalists will only be required to attend rehearsal days when their item is scheduled to rehearse. This information will be communicated to successful applicants at a later date. Consideration will be made for students with HSC assessment tasks and exams.
| Date | Time | Details | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 29 Jan | Applications open | ||
| Mon 4 Mar | 5:00 pm | Applications close | |
| Wed 27 Mar | Video audition results sent | ||
| Mon 8 Apr – Fri 12 Apr | Assigned date and time | Featured and backing vocalist live auditions | |
| Mon 6 May | First live audition results sent | ||
| Mon 20 May – Wed 22 May | Assigned date and time | Featured vocalist final live auditions | |
| Fri 24 May | Assigned session time | Backing vocalist final live audition | The Arts Unit |
| Fri 21 June | Final live audition results sent | ||
| Mon 29 July | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Program photos, initial styling and wellbeing day | |
| Mon 23 Sept – Fri 27 Sept | TBC | Filming (participation dependent on show content) | TBC |
| Sun 29 Sept | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Backing vocalist rehearsal | |
| Mon 30 Sept – Fri 4 Oct | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Holiday week rehearsals | |
| Sat 19 Oct | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | FA rehearsal 1 | |
| Sun 20 Oct | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | FA rehearsal 2 | |
| Thu 24 Oct – Fri 25 Oct | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Styling days | |
| Sat 26 Oct | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | FA rehearsal 3 | |
| Sun 27 Oct | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | FA rehearsal 4 | |
| Fri 1 Nov | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | FA rehearsal 5 | |
| Sat 2 Nov | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | FA rehearsal 6 | |
| Sun 3 Nov | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | FA rehearsal 7 | |
| Mon 4 Nov | TBC | First combined rehearsal | |
| Mon 11 Nov | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | FA rehearsal 8 | TBC |
| Tues 12 Nov | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Featured artist direction day 1 | Fairfield RSL |
| Wed 13 Nov | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Featured artist direction day 2 | Fairfield RSL |
| Thu 14 Nov | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Featured artist direction day 3 | Fairfield RSL |
| Sat 23 Nov | TBC | Stage Band sitzprobe | |
| Sun 24 Nov | TBC | Orchestra sitzprobe | |
| Tues 26 Nov | TBC | Show week sound checks | |
| 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 $150 + $30 show t-shirt fee per student.
The total cost will be direct debited from the student's school. Students will need to pay the costume, prop, and t-shirt fee directly to their school once they are notified of their acceptance into the production.
Some assistance may be available for students with financial hardship in extenuating circumstances. Following discussions with the school, if students require further support, please email enquiries to schoolsspectacular@det.nsw.edu.au.
Audition tips
- Make sure the balance between the soloist and the accompaniment (such as the backing track, piano and band) is correct. It is critical that the person auditioning can be clearly heard.
- Students should discuss and review their audition video with their school music teacher prior to submitting it.
- Record the video 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.
- There should be no pre-recorded vocals in the audition video.
- Performance presentation (including stance, dress, stage presence), as well as vocal and instrumental talent, will be taken into account when evaluating auditionees.
