The Spectacular showcases the incredible talent of Victorian government school students, bringing them together in a musical extravaganza.
The Spectacular promotes student engagement and educational outcomes by boosting motivation, building confidence and self-esteem, leadership skills, cooperation, collaboration, forging friendships and a sense of belonging.
Registrations and auditions are open for schools and students who are interested in performing as part of the Spectacular.
- Schools can register an expression of interest to participate in the mass choir or mass dance groups, or to nominate a specialty group.
- Individual students can register to audition for the main vocals, dance, orchestra or as a specialty performer.
- Auditions for vocals, dance, specialty acts (not aerial) are held in-person at the Performing Arts Unit in Collingwood. Video auditions are available for students that are unable to attend an in-person audition.
- Auditions for orchestra and aerial work are to be submitted via a video.
- Students interested in creative and technical production roles can register to gain work experience as a member of the crew.
School participation
Schools can participate as part of the Mass Dance and Mass Choir ensembles. Individual students can only participate in Mass Dance or Mass Choir as these groups can be required to be on stage at the same time.
Mass dance
No previous experience or audition is required to participate in the Mass Dance ensemble for the Spectacular. However, schools may have their own internal audition process to be involved.
The school principal must endorse all expressions of interest, and each school must nominate a dedicated teacher for all communications. If the school is participating in both mass dance and mass choir, they need to nominate a different contact teacher for each group.
It is up to each individual school to submit its expression of interest, select student participants and to coordinate school-based rehearsals. Each school group can have up to 16 students.
There are four rounds of rehearsals throughout the year in regional hubs across Victoria. Each school is placed in a group depending on its location. Dates for these rehearsals are provided to contact teachers once casting has been finalised and will be during school hours.
Teachers are provided access to online resources and videos. Costumes are provided at no cost, although students are required to purchase a t-shirt to be worn during the show. The t-shirt cost is approx. $35.00.
Students need to be onsite at John Cain Arena for production week prior to the performance in August for full cast dress rehearsals. A detailed production week schedule will be provided closer to the performance date.
Students will receive a certificate for participating in the Spectacular and their name will be included in the digital program.
Mass choir
No previous experience or audition is required to participate in the Mass Choir ensemble for the Spectacular. However, schools may have their own internal audition process to be involved.
The school principal must endorse all expressions of interest, and each school must nominate a dedicated contact teacher for all communications. If the school is participating in both mass dance and mass choir, they need to nominate a different contact teacher for each group.
It is up to each individual school to submit its expression of interest, select students and coordinate school-based rehearsals. Each school can have a group of up to 20 students.
Schools will receive all resources for rehearsals from the Performing Arts Unit. Students are required to purchase a t-shirt to be worn during the show. The t-shirt cost is approx. $35.00.
Two in school rehearsals will be scheduled during Terms 1 and 2, and two all school mass choir rehearsals will be scheduled during Term 3 in Melbourne. Dates for these rehearsals are provided once casting has been finalised and will be within school hours.
Students need to be onsite at John Cain Arena for production week prior to the performance in August for full cast dress rehearsals. A detailed production week schedule will be provided closer to the performance date.
Students will receive a certificate for participating in the Spectacular and their name will be included in the digital program.
Victorian State Schools orchestra
Individual Victorian government school students can participate in the Spectacular as a musician in the orchestra, made up of 80 players.
Students participate as individuals but must attend a government school and be AMEB level 5 or equivalent. Please contact the Performing Arts Unit if you are AMEB Level 4 or below as other opportunities may be available.
It is the responsibility of individual students, not the individual’s school, to register for an audition.
Musician for the orchestra are selected through an audition process held by the Performing Arts Unit, followed by a selection process, which may involve call-backs.
The repertoire is varied and ranges from classical to contemporary music. Rehearsals will commence in Term 1 and continue throughout Terms 2 and 3 at the Performing Arts Unit in Collingwood on weekends.
Students are also required to be onsite at John Cain Arena for production week prior to the performance in August for full cast rehearsals. A detailed production week schedule will be provided closer to the performance date. School principals will be notified of student absences where necessary.
Taking part in the orchestra provides students with the opportunity to participate in additional public performances if they arise. Students will receive a certificate for participating in the Spectacular and their name will be included in the digital program.
Victorian State Schools choir
There is an opportunity for individual Victorian government school students to join the Victorian State Schools Choir. The Victorian State Schools Choir is a specialist ensemble that operates as part of the Performing Arts Unit and includes up to 40 vocalists.
Singers for the choir are selected through an audition process held by the Performing Arts Unit, followed by a selection process, which may involve call-backs. It is the responsibility of individual students, not their school, to register themselves for an audition.
We look for well-tuned voices and students that would enjoy and benefit from additional choir experience. Students should show musical aptitude but do not need to be able to read music. This opportunity is open for students from Years 5-12.
The choir rehearses weekly throughout the year on weekends. The Victorian State Schools Choir program curriculum includes music literacy, vocal technique and part-singing.
The choir performs in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular as the core of our Mass Choir, and at additional public performance opportunities if they arise throughout the school year. Some past performances include:
- a performance at the Government House reception for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip (2011)
- a performance for the visit of Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall (2012)
- Christmas carols at the National Gallery of Victoria (2012)
- Australian of the Year Awards
- a variety of conferences throughout Melbourne.
Students are expected to commit to weekend rehearsals on a Saturday at the Performing Arts Unit in Collingwood for Terms 1, 2 and 3, except during school holidays. Students are also required to be onsite at John Cain Arena for four days prior to the performance in August for full cast rehearsals. School principals will be notified of student absences where necessary.
Students will also receive a certificate for participating in the Spectacular and have their name in the digital program.
Backing vocalists
Individual Victorian government school students can participate in the Spectacular as a backing vocalist. There are up to 7 backing vocalists in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular cast.
Backing vocalists are selected through an audition process held by the Performing Arts Unit, followed by a selection process, which may involve call-backs. It is the responsibility of individual students, not the school, to register for an audition.
Taking part as a backing vocalist provides students with the possibility to participate in additional public performances if they arise. Students will also receive a certificate for participating in the Spectacular and have their name in the digital program.
Rehearsals will take place in Terms 1, 2 and 3 at the Performing Arts Unit in Collingwood on the weekend excluding school holidays.
Students are also required to be onsite at John Cain Arena for production week prior to the performance in August for full cast rehearsals. A detailed production week schedule will be provided closer to the performance date. School principals will be notified of student absences.
Principal dancers
Individual Victorian government school students can participate in the Spectacular as a principal dancer. Principal dancers are featured on stage during the show and have the opportunity for solo performances. The principal dance cast comprises the top dancers from Victorian government schools.
The Performing Arts Unit holds auditions, followed by a selection process, which may involve call-backs. It is the responsibility of individual students, not the school, to register for an audition.
Rehearsals will take place in Melbourne. Dancers will be required to attend weekend rehearsals (on a Saturday or Sunday) during terms 1, 2 and 3. There will also be intensive rehearsals in the April and July school holidays which students are required to attend and dates for these rehearsals are provided once casting has been finalised.
Students are also required to be onsite at John Cain Arena for production week prior to the performance in August for full cast dress rehearsals. A detailed production week schedule will be provided closer to the performance date. School principals will be notified of student absences where necessary.
Taking part as a principal dancer provides students with the opportunity to participate in additional public performances if they arise. Students will receive a certificate for participating in the Spectacular and have their headshot featured in the digital program. In addition, there may also be some media and performance opportunities.
Principal vocalists
Individual Victorian government school students can participate in the Spectacular as principal vocalists. Principal vocalists are featured throughout the show and also have the opportunity for solo performances.
The repertoire varies from classical to contemporary music and the students will be able to hone their performance skills for live and television performance.
The Performing Arts Unit holds auditions, followed by a selection process, which may involve call-backs. It is the responsibility of individual students, not the school, to register for an audition.
The Directors are looking for strong, confident singers with exceptional pitch perfect control who can captivate an audience and connect with the songs. Auditions are open to all ages.
Rehearsals will take place in terms 1, 2 and 3 at the Performing Arts Unit in Melbourne. Dates for these are provided once casting has been finalised and will be on Saturdays and Sundays.
Intensive rehearsals are scheduled during the April and July school holidays and vocalists may be scheduled to attend.
Students are also required to be onsite at John Cain Arena for production week prior to the performance in August for full cast dress rehearsals. A detailed production week schedule will be provided closer to the performance date. School principals will be notified of student absences where necessary.
Taking part as a principal vocalist provides students with the opportunity to participate in additional public performances if they arise. Students will receive a certificate for participating in the Spectacular as well as have their headshot featured in the digital program. In addition, there may also be some media and performance opportunities.
Specialty acts
In addition to the core cast of the Victorian State Schools Spectacular, specialty acts and independent performers can register for an audition to participate in the show. Involvement is based on a show requirement and decided each year.
In the past, specialty acts have included rock bands, roller skaters, circus performers, hip hop and ballroom dance groups, cheerleaders, acrobats, skippers and a magician.
Students will receive a certificate for participating in the Spectacular as well as have their name in the digital program. In addition, there may also be some media and performance opportunities.
First Nations Ensemble
First Nations students from Victorian government schools are encouraged to register an expression of interest to perform as part of the First Nations Ensemble.
There are no auditions to join the ensemble; students are only required to register. It is the responsibility of individual students, not the school, to register their expression of interest.
First Nations Artists work with the ensemble guiding the creation, rehearsals and performance. Rehearsals will take place during school holidays and specific weekends through Terms 1, 2 and 3.
Students are also required to be onsite at John Cain Arena for production week prior to the performance in August for full cast rehearsals. A detailed production week schedule will be provided closer to the performance date. School principals will be notified of student absences.
Students will also receive a certificate for participating in the Spectacular and have their name in the digital program.
Crew
Individual Victorian government school students can register to participate in the Spectacular as a part of the behind-the-scenes crew.
Students receive hands on experience using state of the art equipment working with world-leading suppliers in technical fields such as audio, lighting and vision. Students also can be part of the stage management team backstage at John Cain Arena.
Crew take part in training ahead of the onsite production period at John Cain Arena in August. A detailed production week schedule will be provided closer to the performance date. School principals will be notified of student absences where necessary.
Students will receive a certificate for participating in the Spectacular and have their name in the digital program.
Cost
Participating in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular is free for all students and costumes are provided to schools at no extra cost with the exception of mass cast teachers and students who are required to purchase a t-shirt to be worn during the show. The t-shirt cost is $30.00.
Some additional costs may be incurred for travel and accommodation.
CRT costs will be the schools’ responsibility. The teacher staffing levels must meet the Department's policy, see: Staffing and Supervision
More information
For more information, please contact the department's Performing Arts Unit on 03 8683 2700 (Monday to Friday) or email performing.arts@education.vic.gov.au.
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