Schools Spectacular

SpecFest

School group performances

SpecFest provides the opportunity for performance groups from public schools around NSW to be showcased on one of our outdoor stages or as roaming entertainment. The SpecFest team are looking for groups including (but not limited to):

  • musical ensembles (for example, big bands, marimba ensembles, vocal ensembles)
  • dance groups (for example, cultural groups, circus skills, dancesport)
  • drama groups (for example, street performers, mime)

Groups auditioning should be able to perform 6 to 8 minutes of content appropriate to an outdoor festival performance environment. School groups who want to perform need to be available for a safety briefing, rehearsal and sound check on Thursday 28 November 2024.

Groups providing performances representing different cultures within their school or community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note that this process is only for groups of performers representing one or more NSW public schools. Individual performers who wish to be considered for participation at SpecFest should apply for Schools Spectacular 2024 via their applicable category

Key dates for SpecFest 2024

Date Time Details Venue
Mon 29 Jan   Applications open  
Mon 8 Apr 5 pm Applications close – school group performances  
Late Term 2   Application results sent – school group performances  
Fri 27 Sep 5 pm Nominations close – SpecFest Flash Mob  
October   Numbers finalised – SpecFest Flash Mob  
Thu 28 Nov TBC Compulsory safety briefing, rehearsals and sound checks – school group performances Qudos Bank Arena
Fri 29 Nov 9:30 am – 11 am SpecFest Activation #1 (school group performances) Qudos Bank Arena
  11:15 am / 5:45 pm SpecFest Flash Mob rehearsal and performance Qudos Bank Arena
  1:30 pm – 7 pm SpecFest Activation #2 (school group performances) Qudos Bank Arena
Sat 30 Nov 11 am  –1 pm SpecFest Activation #3 (school group performances) Qudos Bank Arena
  3:30 pm – 7 pm SpecFest Activation #4 (school group performances) Qudos Bank Arena

 

Surround Sound rural and remote band competition

Surround Sound is a band competition for students from secondary schools in rural and remote areas. More information and how to apply for 2025 can be found on the Surround Sound page.

Student production team

If you're a student and interested in being a part of the student production team for SpecFest, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside the Schools Spectacular production team and industry professionals. Your responsibilities will include assisting with the bump-in, bump-out, management, and coordination of all the elements of the show, as well as operation of camera, audio and lighting equipment and working to stage manage elements of the event. 

Staff production team

Staff who are interested in applying for the staff production team for SpecFest should apply via the Schools Spectacular 2024 staff production team application process and indicate their interest in working on SpecFest as part of the application.