To be eligible to attend camp, students must have the student endorsement form completed by their principal.

Fee: $450 per student, for tuition, meals, accommodation, recreational activities and a camp shirt. Schools are asked to contribute $40 levy per student.

You will be required to select and prepare repertoire appropriate for the ensemble, conduct and run instrumental sectionals at a 2 day rehearsal with the ensemble as well as conduct the technical rehearsal and performance at the Festival of Instrumental Music at The Sydney Opera House. This is a paid opportunity.

Dates:

• Sat 23 to Tue 26 Aug 2025: Senior State Wind Band (Years 9 – 12)
• Sat 6 to Tue 9 Sep 2025: Junior State Wind Band (Years 5 – 8)

Conducting workshop

The 2 day weekend workshop will include observations of the Junior Wind Band rehearsals as well as some breakout conducting sessions with highly accomplished conductors Steve Williams and Brad Lucas.

This professional learning is aimed at all levels of conducting skill and experience and will take place Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September at The Arts Unit (Lewisham) from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Lunch will be provided, and rural and remote teachers will have their accommodation and travel expenses covered.

Cost:  $250 per student

Choose the one that best suits you!

Venue: Warrambui Retreat and Conference Centre, Murrumbateman
Dates: Monday 28 July to Wednesday 30 July 2025 (Term 3 Week 2)

Venue: Lake Burrendong Sport and Recreation Centre
Dates: Monday 8 September to Wednesday 10 September 2025 (Term 3 Week 8)

Fees

• $300 for metro students
• $225 for rural and remote students
• NSW regional, rural and remote public schools list (DOCX 122.41 KB)

Student eligibility

• NSW public school students in Year 11 who are seeking a unique opportunity to develop their visual arts practice working intensively with artists in a unique bushland setting
• Year 11 students studying all HSC, life skills, board endorsed and content endorsed courses in the area of visual arts are welcome to apply.
• A maximum of 4 students will be accepted from the same school if capacity is exceeded. This is negotiated with teachers once applications have closed.

• Cost: $60 per student
• Parents and teachers are invited from 4 pm to view exhibition of student work.

About the NSW Public Schools Aboriginal Dance Company

The Aboriginal Dance Company is an audition-based dance ensemble for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who excel in contemporary Indigenous dance. The Company is a partnership between the NSW Department of Education Arts Unit and Bangarra Dance Theatre.

In previous years, the Company has performed at the State Dance Festival, in the Schools Spectacular and at a number of other high-profile events. Students selected for the company will experience new and exciting opportunities to perform in 2025.

Please read the 2025 information package before considering your application. 

Audition process

To apply, students must complete the application form and upload the following 4 components:

1. Video of audition choreography

• Students will need to record themselves performing the audition choreography. This should be shot in landscape with the student applying performing and visible from head to toe. Groups are not encouraged as students are hard to identify. Multiple applications from schools are accepted.
• Students will need to follow the instructions in the video to create 4 counts of 8 to be performed before or after the audition choreography.
• Students will need to select their own music to performance the movement to that is at a fast tempo. 

2. Video of interview 

• A filmed 1 minute Viva Voce (short speech) introducing themselves, their school, their mob, their dance experience, why they would like to be part of the Aboriginal Dance Company and what they hope to do in the future. 

3. Application endorsement

• All applications must download and complete the following application endorsement form to provide parent / guardian permission, as well as, a teacher reference and principal endorsement.

4. Headshot photograph 

• A school photo or similar is accepted.

Application endorsement form

All applications must download and complete the following application endorsement form to provide parent/guardian permission, as well as, a teacher reference and principal endorsement.

The completed form should be uploaded in the audition elements sections of this online application to be considered. If you are unable to upload the completed application endorsement form at the time of submission please email it as soon as possible to artsinitiatives@det.nsw.edu.au.

• Application endorsement form - ADC 2025 (DOCX 73.6 KB)

Audition support resources

• Google drive instructions - ADC (DOCX 789.3 KB)
• Audition tips for dance
• Tips for dance auditions

What happens next

The audition panel will review the applications after the closing date. Parents and students will be emailed about the outcome of the audition by Term 2, Week 6, Monday 2 June 2025.

Company rehearsals

• Term 3, Week 7 – Monday 1 September to Friday 5 September at Bangarra Dance Theatre Studios, Dawes Point
• Term 3, Week 9 – Monday 15 September to Thursday 18 September at Sydney Dance Company Studios, Dawes Point 
• Term 4, Week 4 – Monday 10 November to Friday 14 November at Bangarra Dance Theatre Studios, Dawes Point
• Term 4, Week 7 – Monday 24 November to Wednesday 26 November at Fairfield RSL, Fairfield
• Term 4, Week 7 – Wednesday 26 November to Thursday 27 November at Qudos Bank Arena

Performance commitments 

• State Dance Festival at Seymour Centre, Chippendale –  Thursday 18 and Friday 19 September 
• Schools Spectacular at Qudos Bank Arena – Friday 28 November and Saturday 29 November 
• with the potential for additional opportunities throughout the year as they arise

All Arts Units programs are inclusive. If your students require support to participate in the Aboriginal Dance Company, please email artsinitiatives@det.nsw.edu.au so we can assist.

Dates and location

Tue 3 Jun to Thu 5 June inclusive.
9:00 am – 2:30 pm each day. 

Trackdown Studios, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.

Program information

• Information package  2025 Boys' Vocal Program Information Package (DOCX 1.63 MB)
• 3-day vocal program including workshop, performance and recording sessions
• Maximum 10 students per school group

Cost

• $100.00 per participating student

About the workshop

Sessions will focus on:

• Engaging students through movement, music, and drama
• Creating performances from a range of stimulus material
• Managing collaborative learning experiences and group work
• Using non-verbal communication focusing on empowering and teaching students through performance, movement, and gesture
• Using student experiences to create devised documentary drama performances

This course is suitable for teachers and support staff and is open to teachers from both government and non-government schools.

Workshop information 

• The program is a 1 day teacher professional learning workshop​​​​​​
• Date: Term 2 Week 5, Tuesday 27 May 2025
  Time: 9 am – 3 pm 
• Venue: Bankstown Arts Centre - Studio 1

Program fees

• This program is free for 1 teacher per participating school for the Multicultural Storytelling Program 
• $200 for all other government teachers attending the professional learning.
• $300 for non government teachers.

Application process

1. Complete this online application form, including all your students' details and contact teacher information.
2. Read the information package  Devising for Secondary Teachers Information Package (DOCX 2.62 MB)

Payment

• Government teachers will need to enter school details including school code and SAM contacts. The amount will be transferred from your school to the Arts Unit.
• Non-government teachers will need to pay via the Arts Unit payment portal for teachers.
• Government teachers can choose to pay via the Arts Unit payment portal for teachers and use a credit card. The Arts Unit will not debit the school in this case.

To use the payment portal

1. Go to the payment portal.
2. Select Arts Initiatives from the program drop down.
3. Then select 'Devising for Secondary Teachers' and the non-government fee of $300 and government fee of $200 should come up.

Contact

For more information contact Ashley Napoleoni at artsinitiatives@det.nsw.edu.au.​​​​​

All Arts Units programs are inclusive. If your students require support to participate in the Secondary Aboriginal Dance Workshop, please email artsinitiatives@det.nsw.edu.au so we can assist.

Cost: $160

Applications will close when this workshop reaches 60 students.

Cost: $85.00

Applications will close when this workshop reaches 60 students.

Successful applicants will be allocated to one concert and need to be available for a sound check and staging rehearsal on the day of the concert.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome by Friday 23 May 2025.

2025 performance opportunities

These performance opportunities are open to all public school students (Years K to 12) and can include music ensembles of all sizes, large or small (including soloists). Items may be instrumental or vocal, and should avoid pre-recorded musical components such as backing tracks.

Festival of Choral Music 2025 concert dates at the Sydney Opera House

• Argyle concert: Monday 4 August 2025, 6:30 pm
• Australis concert: Tuesday 5 August 2025, 6:30 pm 
• Barangaroo concert: Wednesday 6 August 2025, 6:30 pm
• Bennelong concert: Thursday 7 August 2025, 6:30 pm
• Endeavour concert: Friday 8 August 2025, 6:30 pm​​​​​​

Sydney NorthWest Music Festival concert dates at The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith

• Burrendong concert: Tuesday 19 August 2025
• Cawndilla concert: Wednesday 20 August 2025

Sydney NorthWest Music Festival concert dates at The Concourse, Chatswood

• Pinaroo concert: Thursday 21 August 2025
• Wyangan concert: Friday 22 August 2025

Festival of Instrumental Music 2025 concert dates at the Sydney Opera House 

• Acacia concert: Monday 25 August 2025, 6:30 pm 
• Banksia concert: Tuesday 26 August 2025, 6:30 pm 
• Jacaranda concert: Monday 8 September 2025, 6:30 pm
• Mimosa concert: Tuesday 9 September 2025, 6:30 pm

Cantabile Music Festival 2025 concert dates at the Sydney Opera House

• Monday 15 September 2025, 7:00 pm

Primary Proms 2025 concert dates at the Sydney Town Hall

• Brindabella concert: Monday 22 September 2025, 7:00 pm
• Coorong concert: Tuesday 23 September 2025, 7:00 pm 
• Daintree concert: Wednesday 24 September 2025, 7:00 pm 
• Kakadu concert: Thursday 25 September 2025, 7:00 pm

Additional opportunities for regional ensembles

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music has partnered with the Arts Unit to provide additional opportunities for ensembles from schools outside of metro-Sydney who are successful in auditioning for a featured item at one of our festivals. A member of the Sydney Conservatorium staff will travel to your school to conduct a workshop with your ensemble in the lead up to your performance in Sydney. This opportunity will be offered to successful ensembles of 4 or more students who attend a NSW public school outside of metro-Sydney, and will be subject to staff availability.

Please note that all 2025 events will commence under the guidelines from NSW Health and the Department of Education. 

Staff may apply to participate as conductors of major ensembles, as ensemble managers or as tutors. Staff will be selected according to their areas of expertise and the needs of the camp.

Successful staff will be sent notification and all necessary camp paperwork by email shortly after the closing date.

Students from NSW Government schools have been attending State Music Camps for more than 60 years. During the week students rehearse and perform engaging and high-quality repertoire culminating in a concert for families and friends on the final night of the camp.

2025 d​​​​​ates

• Senior State Music Camp (Years 8 to 12) – 29 June to 4 July (Term 2 Week 10)
• Junior State Music Camp (Years 5 to 8) – 20 July to 25 July (Term 3 Week 1)

Venue

• Sydney Academy of Sport, Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen

Staff application requirements

• Acceptance notifications will be sent out by Sunday 18 May.
• All intending staff nominees should be aware that State Music Camps are residential activities and staff are required to be present at all times to assist with the operation of the camp. All staff are required to have completed Department of Education mandatory training and have a WWCC prior to the camp. More information will be forwarded to successful applicants.
• Musical activities at camp include participation in a major ensemble (symphony orchestra, symphonic bands, vocal ensembles and stage band) as well as a number of elective ensembles and activities. Elective activities include brass and woodwind ensembles, jazz improvisation, composition, music technology, music theatre, music and movement.

Further information

The State Music Camps promote excellence in all forms of music making and provides high potential and gifted students with extension opportunities to enhance their learning and broaden their experiences. In addition to this, students and staff have a fantastic time in a unique setting for music education!

Please note that the 2025 State Music Camps will commence under the guidelines from NSW Health and the Department of Education.

Camp dates

• Senior State Music Camp (Years 8 to 12) – 29 June to 4 July (Term 2 Week 10)
• Junior State Music Camp (Years 5 to 8) – 20 July to 25 July (Term 3 Week 1)

Application process

1. Nominees are required to complete and submit the online application form below
2. All communication is via email; please ensure you have entered email addresses correctly. 
3. Your selected music teacher will be contacted to support your application
4. School principal and parent signatures will be obtained as part of the student acceptance package. This will be sent to successful applicants following your letter of offer. 

Further information

• Acceptance notifications will be sent out by Friday 16 May.
• Please ensure that the student's current instrument and standard is completed and accurately reflects the student's ability. This will assist in the selection process.
• As a guide, third grade AMEB or equivalent is the minimum standard required at Junior camp.
• There are limited places at music camps for each instrument type due to the individual requirements of each ensemble. As a result, only a small number of guitarists and pianists can be accepted at each camp.
• We are particularly interested in expanding the vocal and string sections of camp and encourage more vocalists and string players to apply.

Cost

• $750 (including GST) per metro student per camp. 
• Students attending from rural and remotes schools will pay $400 (including GST). This will be confirmed, and further payment information will be issued upon acceptance.
• NSW regional, rural and remote public schools list (DOCX 122.41 KB)

Venue 

Sydney Academy of Sport, Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen (Office of Communities, Sport & Recreation)

Workshop information

• The program will commence with a 1 day teacher professional learning workshop. 
• Following this workshop, teachers will have the opportunity to have a theatre practitioner mentor come along to their school to work with their students for 1 x 2hr workshop to assist with the preparation and devising of their performances. 
• These performances form the basis of the piece to be developed throughout the 3 day workshop.
• The final showcase of the student work is then performed and live streamed to home countries.

Program fees

• The 3-day workshop fee is $100.00 per participating student.
• There is no fee for the teacher professional learning session for 1 teacher per school who have students participating in the 3 day program.
• A fee of $200 for additional teachers attending the professional learning.

Dates

Application process

1. Up to 10 students per school can attend the workshop as a group.
2. Read the information package Multicultural Storytelling Program information package (DOCX 1.81 MB)
3. Complete this online application form, including all your students' details and contact teacher information
4. Your school will be charged a fee of $100.00 per participating student in the program and $200 for each additional teacher. Fees are processed as a direct debit via an Intercompany Journal (previously Sundry Tax) after the first session.
5. Complete the Authority to Film 2025 - Multicultural Storytelling Program (PDF 198.09 KB)

Contact

For more information contact Ashley Napoleoni at artsinitiatives@det.nsw.edu.au.​​​​​

All Arts Units programs are inclusive. If your students require support to participate in the Multicultural Storytelling Program Workshop, please email artsinitiatives@det.nsw.edu.au so we can assist.

Cost: $70.00

Applications will close when this workshop reaches 60 students.