Combined choir secondary

Schools involved in the secondary combined choir category will be selected via the following process:

1. Record video audition

Schools are asked to present a piece that will allow the audition panel to assess students’ blend, tone, phrasing, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, harmony, diction, performance presentation, discipline and appropriate song choice. Items should be no more than 2 minutes and 30 seconds in length. 

Secondary auditions must be in two or more parts as appropriate to the choir.

2. Upload the video and submit an application form

• Schools may nominate up to 24 students in Years 7 to 12 for their audition. Only the number of students present in the video will be considered.
• The entire group may not be selected. The exact number selected for the group will be notified upon acceptance.
• The song selected by applicants should best display the skills of the choir – ballads are often more appropriate than upbeat pop songs. Consider using the 'Go For Broke' audition resource.
• 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

The contact teacher will receive a confirmation email once the application has been submitted and the school principal will be notified to endorse the application.

4. Notification of results

All applicants will be notified of their results by Term 2, Week 9.

The costume and prop fee will be $100 per student.

Costume and prop costs will be direct debited from the school. Students will need to pay the costume and prop fee directly to their school once they are notified of their acceptance into the production.

• There should be no pre-recorded vocals if the choir is performing to a backing track and teachers should not be singing with the choir in the audition video.
• On the recording, make sure the accompaniment doesn’t overwhelm the sound of the choir.
• To improve the ensemble’s pitch, make sure students can hear the accompaniment – turn speakers towards the choir if necessary.
• Movement is not required on the audition and should never detract from the singing.
• While multi-part repertoire is encouraged, the choir’s unison blend is the most important factor. Simple repertoire performed beautifully is better than difficult repertoire performed poorly.
• The camera should be placed in a fixed position showing the entire choir.

For more audition tips, visit Top tips for auditioning.

• All students at the Schools Spectacular must be supervised by a teacher at all times.
• Schools must provide a supervising teacher for the following categories: combined dance, combined choir, specialist ensembles, Aboriginal dance ensemble and D’Arts ensemble students.
• Each group will require their own supervising teacher, even if they are from the same school.
• Relief for supervising teachers is the responsibility of the school.
• Teachers are encouraged to provide active supervision at all times and support the production team during rehearsals and the show week.