Cantabile Music Festival
The Cantabile Music Festival is an annual event that celebrates the musical achievements of over 1000 students from public schools throughout Metropolitan South, Regional South and beyond.
The festival showcases the choral skills of 700 primary school students from Years 3 to 6 who sing together as part of the festival’s combined primary school choir. It highlights the musical talents of many primary and secondary students who perform in the orchestras, stage bands, small group items, ensembles or as accompanists to the choir. The festival’s repertoire reflects a wide range of genres ranging from classical to contemporary musical pieces.
Schools accepted into the choral component of the festival receive all music and professional development.
Combined choir
School nominations for the 2026 combined choir have closed.
Teacher workshop
Successful combined choir schools are required to attend a teacher workshop to learn the repertoire for the festival.
The workshop will be held on Wednesday 25 March 2026 (Term 1 Week 9) from 1 pm to 4 pm at Haberfield Public School.
Combined choir rehearsal
Participating schools are required to attend a preliminary rehearsal on Thursday 25 June 2026 (Term 2 Week 10) from 10 am to 1 pm at Marie Bashir Public School.
Performance
Monday 17 August 2026 (Term 3 Week 5) at the Sydney Opera House, commencing at 7 pm.
Cost
The cost of participation is $40.00 per student. Payments will be processed at the end of Term 2 through interschool journal.
Cantabile Music Festival committee members
The Cantabile Music Festival is currently seeking expressions of interest from teachers who are wishing to join our wonderful committee and work towards planning and delivering the Cantabile Music Festival in 2026.
Committee members would be expected to:
- attend committee meetings (held approximately twice each school term on Microsoft Teams)
- assist with the planning and delivery of the festival, as negotiated with the committee and program coordinator
- attend the rehearsal day and concert day event.
Casual relief will be covered by the festival.
To express your interest, please contact David Collins-White david.collins-white@det.nsw.edu.au
Photos
Music festivals featured items
Applications for featured items have now closed.
Applications are currently being sought for a small group or individual instrumental or vocal item to perform at the Cantabile Music Festival held at the Sydney Opera House on Monday 17 August 2026.
This performance opportunity is open to all public school students (Kindergarten to Year 12), can include small music ensembles or soloists and may be instrumental or vocal.
Applicants are required to submit an online video audition through the video sharing platform YouTube. Please make sure the video is marked as ‘unlisted’ once uploaded as this allows the video to be private to the public and only viewed by those who have access to the link. Copy the video link and insert the video link into the compere expression of interest form.
Please ensure your video is free from background noise and that the music and/or voices are clear and can be heard throughout the duration of the video.
Schools are required to complete the online Instrumental and vocal item form, including the video audition link.
Applications close Monday 11 May 2026. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their nomination by Friday 29 May 2026.
All Arts Unit programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in the Cantabile Music Festival, please email david.collins-white@det.nsw.edu.au so that we can assist.
