Festival of Choral Music – application form 2025

Applications close Friday 6 December 2024.

Please note the 2025 Festival of Choral Music requires an audition video for your selection in the festival.

Performance dates

  • Argyle concert – Monday 4 August 2025
  • Australis concert – Tuesday 5 August 2025
  • Barangaroo concert – Wednesday 6 August 2025
  • Bennelong concert – Thursday 7 August 2025
  • Endeavour concert – Friday 8 August 2025

Performance venue

  • Sydney Opera House Concert Hall

Preliminary rehearsals​​

All participating schools attend a preliminary rehearsal to prepare students for the concerts.

Sydney preliminary rehearsals will be held at at the Salvation Army Congress Hall:

  • Argyle rehearsal: Monday 30 June 2025, 9:30 am to 1 pm 
  • Australis rehearsal: Tuesday 1 July 2025, 9:30 am to 1 pm 
  • Barangaroo rehearsal: Wednesday 2 July 2025, 9:30 am to 1 pm 
  • Bennelong rehearsal: Thursday 3 July 2025, 9:30 am to 1 pm
  • Endeavour rehearsal: Friday 4 July 2025, 9:30 am to 1 pm

Non-metropolitan schools will either host or attend a Regional preliminary rehearsal with other nearby participating schools during Term 2 or 3, as negotiated with Luke Wallace.

Teacher workshop

At least one teacher from each participating school should attend the Festival of Choral Music teacher professional learning workshop at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Friday 14 February 9 am to 3 pm.

Festival of Choral Music

Program Music
Years 3 to 6 students and teachers
The Festival of Choral Music (FoCM) brings students from across NSW to perform selected repertoire in combined mass choirs guided by specialist choral teachers.

Cost

  • Participation fee of $40 per student will be payable upon acceptance into the program.  
  • A rural and remote subsidy of 25% will be offered to all students attending from rural and remote schools as identified by the Department.

Enquiries

For further information contact concerts.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au.

 

School details

School
Contact teacher details
Please enter a valid mobile number in the following format: 04xx  xxx  xxx
Will there be any other teacher who will be supervising the group at either a rehearsal or performance?
If yes, you will need to provide the contact details for any additional supervisory teacher attending.
Additional teacher details
Please enter a valid mobile number in the following format: 04xx  xxx  xxx
Principal details
Please indicate your previous involvement in FoCM

Choir entry details

A maximum of 30 students is allowed. Selected choirs will be split evenly between sopranos and altos (only Stage 2 and/or Stage 3 students).
While choir applications are for a maximum of 30 students, please indicate here if you have extra students you wish to be considered (no more than 10 extras).
Please give full details of any student with additional learning needs in your choir, and how we may be able to assist them to participate in the festival in an inclusive manner.

Concert availability

Indicate your preference of concerts from 1 to 5.
  • If you are equally available for several dates mark each of them as 1.
  • If your choir is unavailable for a concert select No.
  • Improve your chance of selection by nominating as many available dates as possible.
Concert → Preference
Argyle concert - Monday 4 August 2025 →
Australis concert - Tuesday 5 August 2025 →
Barangaroo concert - Wednesday 6 August 2025 →
Bennelong concert - Thursday 7 August 2025 →
Endeavour concert - Friday 8 August 2025 →
For example, if you wish to be linked to another school to share travel costs please indicate above.

Audition video upload

Applicants must film an audition video of their current (2024) choir singing a song of their choice. Aim for a warm, blended, and in-tune choral sound, with students singing in their head voice.
Please copy and paste the URL for your Youtube audition. If you have an issue please email concerts.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au.

Principal endorsement