Schools Spectacular
Regional, rural and remote specialist item
Applications for this category will close at 5:00 pm Monday 8 April 2024.
The Schools Spectacular is looking to create a new item in 2024 that specifically profiles outstanding regional, rural, and remote students from NSW Public Schools. This category is open to students from Kindergarten to Year 12 and is an excellent platform to showcase new, emerging, and experienced musicians (vocal and instrumental), dancers, specialty acts, signing artists, and more. Unique skills from remarkable students are of particular interest and may include cultural skills, specialty talents, First Nations students, creative design talents, alternative genres and very young students.
Audition process
Regional, rural, and remote students are encouraged to apply for this category in addition to applications specific to their act.
Students involved in the regional, rural, and remote specialist item will be selected via the following process:
1. Record audition videos
Students are asked to present at least one piece that will allow the audition panel to assess the student’s skills and performance quality. The panel will also be looking for the student's personality and performance flair. It is encouraged that applicants provide two contrasting pieces for the audition if possible. Items should be no more than three minutes.
2. Upload the videos and submit an application form
Audition videos need to be uploaded to YouTube and the video link submitted with the application form. For assistance with uploading your video, please refer to the How to upload a video to YouTube guide.
3. Confirmation email
Students will receive a confirmation email once the application has been submitted. The student's parent/carer and school principal will also receive an email asking them to endorse the application. Please note that endorsement from the student's principal and parent/carer is required to be considered for the regional, rural, and remote specialist item in Schools Spectacular.
4. Notification of results
All applicants will be notified of their final results by Term 2, Week 9.
The majority of rehearsals and audition rounds will occur online and are therefore accessible from remote locations however there is a chance that some students may be asked to attend a live audition or live rehearsal in Sydney during Terms 2 or 3. Adequate notice and clear communication will be given to the student, parent and school community if travel is required.
Possible rehearsal dates are listed below including the actual dates of the Schools Spectacular event. A complete schedule will be conveyed once student selections are made.
Key dates for featured specialist performers
Listed below is a guide to which rehearsals specialist performers may be required to attend, depending on their act. Students will only be required to attend rehearsal days when their item is scheduled to rehearse. This information will be communicated to successful applicants at a later date.
| Date | Time | Details | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 8 April | 5:00 pm | Applications close | |
|
Term 2 Date TBC (category dependant) |
Live audition (if required) | The Arts Unit | |
| Fri 21 June | Application results sent | ||
|
Term 4 Date TBC (category dependant) |
9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Item rehearsal 1 | TBC |
|
Term 4 Date TBC (category dependant) |
9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Item rehearsal 2 | TBC |
| Mon 4 Nov | TBC | First combined rehearsal | |
|
Term 4 Date TBC (category dependant) |
9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Item rehearsal 3 | TBC |
|
Term 4 Date TBC (category dependant) |
9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Item rehearsal 4 | TBC |
| Wed 27 Nov | TBC | Second combined rehearsal day 1 | |
| Thu 28 Nov | TBC | Second combined rehearsal day 2 Dress rehearsal |
|
| Fri 29 Nov | 11:00 am and 7:00 pm | Schools Spectacular performance | |
| Sat 30 Nov | 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm | Schools Spectacular performance |
Cost
The costume and prop fee will be up to $120 per student.
Costume costs will be direct debited from the student's school. Students will need to pay the costume fee directly to their school once notified of their acceptance.
Some assistance may be available for students with financial hardship in extenuating circumstances. Following discussions with the school, if students require further support, please email enquiries to schoolsspectacular@det.nsw.edu.au.
Audition tips
- Please do not submit a video of the students in a performance (such as a school performance or presentation night or dance festival). Please submit a current video.
- Audition videos should be filmed in a school hall or dance classroom with normal room lighting.
- Please film your video in a room that has the window or doorway covered so that light from outside doesn’t interfere with the quality of the video.
- Performance presentation and ability to captivate and entertain an audience will be taken into account when evaluating auditionees.
- Record the audition in a room with a neutral acoustic. The school hall or auditorium will often have too much echo to record a video. The school’s music classroom will normally have the best acoustic for recording your audition.
