In Concert – Secondary Choral Festival
Students have the opportunity to perform a range of significant choral works in a dazzling choral and instrumental music showcase. Teachers engage in quality professional learning delivered by experts.
The In Concert – Secondary Choral Festival sees the Combined Secondary Schools Choir annually joining forces with The Arts Unit's premier instrumental music ensembles. These concerts provide secondary students with the opportunity to sing in a massed choir with more than 750 other students and perform a range of significant choral works. The 2026 guest artist is Lucy Durak.
On this page
Enquiries
How to apply
Applications are now open for 2026! Please complete the application form by 5 pm Monday 9 February 2026.
For any enquiries, please contact [email protected]
Cost
- Participation fee of $42.00 per student will be payable in early May.
- A rural and remote subsidy of 25% will be offered to all students attending from rural and remote schools as identified by the department.
2026 concert
The NSW Department of Education will present one concert at the Sydney Opera House. School choirs made up of students from Stages 4 to 6 will form part of a combined choir of 750 voices for this concert. All choirs and music classes from public high schools are welcome to join.
Date: Wednesday 3 June 2026
Tickets
Tickets are not available for 2026 at this stage.
Repertoire
The 2026 repertoire will include a variety of genres and includes compositions by Australian musicians. Repertoire can be linked to curriculum topics for Stages 4 to 6.
Rehearsals
Teacher workshop
- Friday 13 February 9:00 am to 3:00 pm – Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Metropolitan schools rehearsals
- First preliminary rehearsal: Monday 9 March
- Second preliminary rehearsal: Friday 15 May
Venue: St Stephen's Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie St, Sydney
Rural and remote schools rehearsals
Cluster rehearsals for rural and remote schools will be organised with participating schools in late February.
All Arts Units programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in In Concert – Secondary Choral Festival, please email [email protected] so we can assist.
