Music Festivals
Public school students from across NSW combine to celebrate musical excellence in a series of concerts that feature soloists and ensembles in a variety of musical styles. They have the opportunity to work with professional conductors and perform music specifically chosen and commissioned for them. Opportunities exist for outstanding instrumental and vocal items to perform at some of these festivals.
2023 opportunities
School instrumental and vocal items
In 2023 performance opportunities are available for outstanding individual school instrumental and vocal items at the Festival of Instrumental Music, Arts Alive Choral Festival, Festival of Choral Music, Cantabile Music Festival and Primary Proms. These opportunities are open to all public school students (Kindergarten to Year 12) and can include music ensembles of all sizes, large or small – including soloists and choirs. Application is by video audition and can be submitted by filling out the School 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.
In Concert – Secondary Choral Festival (Years 7 to 12)
There will be 1 concert in the In Concert - Secondary Choral Festival held in the Sydney Town Hall. The concert will feature a combined secondary choir of 750 voices made up of students from Years 7 to 12, that will join forces with The Arts Unit's premier instrumental music ensembles. These concerts provide secondary students with the opportunity to sing in a massed choir to perform a range of significant choral works.
Festival of Instrumental Music (Years 3 to 6)
There will be 4 concerts in the Festival of Instrumental Music held at the Sydney Opera House. Each concert features a combined recorder ensemble and a combined string ensemble made up of students from Years 3 to 6, as well as outstanding school instrumental and vocal items from public schools across NSW.
Primary Proms (Years 3 and 4)
There will be 4 concerts in the Primary Proms held in the Centennial Hall of the Sydney Town Hall. Each concert will feature a combined primary choir of 450 voices made up of students from Years 3 and 4, as well as outstanding school instrumental and vocal items from public schools across NSW.
Festival of Choral Music (Years 3 to 6)
There will be 4 concerts in the Festival of Choral Music held at the Sydney Opera House. Each concert will feature a combined primary choir of 700 voices made up of students from Years 3 to 6, as well as outstanding school instrumental and vocal items from public schools across NSW.
Professional learning
Professional learning opportunities will be available at teachers' workshops to be held in Week 3 of Term 1 at the NSW Conservatorium of Music. These intensive workshops based on the 2023 repertoire will instruct teachers on conducting methods and suggest ways to improve music performance and teaching skills. The Festival of Instrumental Music 2023 repertoire – recorders and strings - will be filmed to assist teachers and their students as they observe and listen to the works being performed by a live ensemble.
- In Concert - teachers’ professional development workshop (secondary choral)
- Festival of Instrumental Music – teachers’ professional development workshop (recorders)
- Festival of Instrumental Music – teachers’ professional development workshop (strings)
- Primary Proms - teachers’ professional development workshop (Years 3 and 4 choral)
- Festival of Choral Music - teachers’ professional development workshop (primary choral)
Digital engagement
Explore the online music resources from The Arts Unit.
