Instrumental and vocal items for state music festivals
Performance opportunities are available for outstanding instrumental and vocal items at the Festival of Instrumental Music, Arts Alive Choral Festival, Festival of Choral Music, Cantabile Music Festival and Primary Proms.
2023 performance opportunities
State Music Festivals – instrumental and vocal items
Schools are invited to nominate outstanding music ensembles and soloists in Kindergarten to Year 12 to perform an instrumental or vocal item at one of the 2023 State Music Festivals.
Items may include, but are not limited to, the following performance types: vocal solo, vocal ensemble, choir, instrumental solo, instrumental ensemble, symphonic wind orchestra, concert band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, stage band, rock band or percussion ensemble.
Applicants must film an audition video of no more than 5 minutes and submit via a YouTube link using this form Instrumental and vocal item application form. See the resources below for tips:
Top tips for auditioning
How to upload footage to YouTube (PDF, 323.25 KB) guide.
Successful applicants will perform in either the Sydney Opera House or the Sydney Town Hall as part of one of the following festivals:
- Festival of Instrumental Music
- Festival of Choral Music
- Primary Proms
- Cantabile Music Festival
- Arts Alive
Schools need to be available for a sound check and staging rehearsal on the day of the concert. If your school is already participating in one of these festivals as part of a massed ensemble, we will endeavour to place your item into the same concert.
Nominate your item to be part of the Festival of Instrumental Music by Monday 24 April or all other festivals by Friday 16 June.
Concert dates for 2023 at the Sydney Opera House
Festival of Instrumental Music
Tuesday 13 June
Wednesday 14 June
Thursday 15 June
Friday 16 June
Arts Alive Choral Festival
Monday 7 August
Monday 11 September
Festival of Choral Music
Monday 14 August
Tuesday 15 August
Monday 18 September
Tuesday 19 September
Cantabile Music Festival
Wednesday 20 September
Concert dates for 2023 at the Sydney Town Hall
Primary Proms
Monday 11 September
Tuesday 12 September
Wednesday 13 September
Thursday 14 September
For more information on each festival, visit the links below or contact the program coordinator:
Festival of Instrumental Music – luke.wallace20@det.nsw.edu.au
Arts Alive Choral Festival – peter.s.hayward@det.nsw.edu.au
Festival of Choral Music – ian.jefferson@det.nsw.edu.au
Cantabile Music Festival – kate.walters4@det.nsw.edu.au
Primary Proms – ian.jefferson@det.nsw.edu.au
2023 applications
To apply, go to the Instrumental and vocal item application form. Applications to be considered for a performance at the Festival of Instrumental Music must be submitted by Monday 24 April 2023. Applications for a performance at all other festivals close on Friday 16 June 2023.
