Cantabile Music Festival

Region: Metropolitan South | Sydney
Years 3 to 6
Local arts program Music
Tags: Choral music

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.


2024 program information

Combined choir

Combined choir applications 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 27 March 2024 (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 July (Term 3 Week 1) from 10 am to 1 pm at Salvation Army Congress Hall.

Performance date

Monday 19 August 2024 (Term 3 Week 5) at the Sydney Opera House.

Cost

The cost of participation is $30.00 per student. Payments will be processed at the end of Term 2 through interschool journal.

Instrumental and vocal items

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 19 August 2024. 

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 Friday 7 June 2024 (Term 2 Week 6). Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their nomination by the end of Term 2. 

Festival program artwork competition

Submissions are currently being sought for student artworks to be showcased and featured on the front and back cover of the Cantabile Music Festival 2024 program.

The winner of the artwork competition will receive 2 tickets to watch the 2024 concert to be held at the Sydney Opera House on Monday 19 August 2024. During the concert the winner will be presented with their artwork professional framed.

Schools are invited to submit up to two (2) pieces of artwork for each student submission. A separate google form will need to be completed for each student submission. Schools are asked to refer to the Program artwork competition guidelines prior to submission.

Schools are required to complete the online Program artwork competition form, including uploading a photo or PDF copy of the artwork being submitted. Please save all files with the student’s name and title of the artwork before uploading on the form and keep artworks secure until notification of the result of the application.

Applications close Friday 7 June 2024 (Term 2 Week 6). Teachers will be notified of the outcome of their nomination by the end of Term 2.

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 2024.

Committee members would be expected to:

  • attend committee meetings (held approximately twice each school term on 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.

Committee member applications have closed for 2024.

Enquiries

Kate Walters
Coordinator
David Collins-White
Artistic Director
Michelle Murphy
Arts Coordination Officer
Riverwood Education Office
Phone
0425 384 484

Venue

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

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Haberfield Public School
Bland Street
Haberfield NSW 2045
Australia

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Salvation Army Congress Hall
140 Elizabeth Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

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All Arts Unit programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in the Cantabile Music Festival, please email kate.walters4@det.nsw.edu.au so that we can assist.