Sing NSW

About the Program

Sing NSW is a choral music program for all NSW government schools. The program encourages, nurtures and inspires young musicians across the state by providing outstanding training and performance opportunities.

 

Sing NSW students have performed and participated in workshops with Australian and International composers of the highest level including Paul Jarman, Andrew De Teliga, Llew and Mara Kiek, Mark O'Leary, Bernhard Jahn (Netherlands) and Edith Copley (USA).

 

In 2008, Sing NSW will celebrate its 10th anniversary in concert at the Recital Hall, Angel Place. Past choristers and staff are invited to be part of the celebration. In October, singers will have the opportunity to tour to Perth for the National Choral Festival at the University of Western Australia.

 

Sing NSW has performed at the 2007 Coastal Sounds International Choral Festival in Vancouver, Canada; 2006 Australian National Choral Festival - Choralfest in Hobart, Tasmania; Sydney Opera House premiere of "Prayer for the 21st Century" composed by Elena Kats Chernin; with SIROCCO at the Sydney Town Hall; Twilight Concert at Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo; University of New England, Armidale; Jenolan Caves; Excellence in Teaching Awards, Schools Spectacular and the Premier's Gala and Christmas Concerts at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

 

Choirs are located across NSW. Students in the program will benefit from a diverse choral education program, with expert tuition provided by conductors of the highest quality.

Repertoire

Sing NSW has a strong commitment in commissioning Australian music for young people. Repertoire includes specially commissioned works, jazz, music of other cultures, musical theatre, gospel, traditional choral music and rock and pop. In addition to core repertoire, conductors may also select material suitable for local needs and interests.

 

Participation

There are two ways of participating in Sing NSW:

• as an individual student member in a district choir
• as a choir or choral group operating within a school

 

 

 

OPTION 1 - Individual Student Member in a District Choir

In 2008, Sing NSW choirs will be located in the following areas:

• Armidale (New England Conservatorium
• Albury (Albury High School)
• Bankstown (Padstow Park Public School)
• Bellingen (Bellingen High School)
• Central Coast (Niagara Park Public School
• Coffs Harbour (Bunker Gallery Coffs Harbour)
• Hunter/Newcastle (Hunter Singers, Hunter Kids Sing)
• Hunter/Newcastle (Maitland Grossman High School
• Lake Macquarie (Toronto Public School)
• Mudgee (Cudgegong Valley Public School)
• Northern Sydney (Beecroft Public School)
• Northern Sdyney (Killarney Heights High School)
• Padstow (Padstow Park Public School)
• Port Jackson (Darlington Public School)
• Sutherland (Sutherland Public School)
• Western Sydney (Penrith High School)

Choirs rehearse weekly out of school hours at local venues. In remote areas where it is not possible to attend weekly rehearsals, students receive additional teaching resources and attend a full day's rehearsal each term with a professional conductor and accompanist.

 

In 2008, membership fees for Sing NSW will be $250.00 (incl GST). Other costs that new students will incur include the purchase of a uniform ($55.00 incl GST). Schools are requested to assist needy students where possible.

 

Students wishing to audition for a Sing NSW district choir should download the Application Form using the link below. (Download requires Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available free at www.adobe.com)

 

2008 Sing NSW Student Application Form [.pdf KB]

 

Completed Applications Forms should be returned by fax or post to Jenny Gregory, Sing NSW Coordinator at the Arts Unit.

 

OPTION 2 - Participation As A School Based Choir

Schools may participate with a new or existing school based choral group. The primary schools program targets Years 5 - 6. The secondary schools program targets all years, 7 - 12. 2008 school based locations include:

• Albury (Albury High School)
• Bellingen (Bellingen High School)
• Hunter/Newcastle (Maitland Grossman High School)
• Padstow (Padstow Park Public School)
• Penrith (Penrith High School)

The new Sing NSW Schools Package allows students to participate in State concerts and audition for future recordings and tours. the participation fee is $50.00 (incl GST) per student.

 

Students are required to provide a long sleeved black shirt and black pants for performance. A Sing NSW badge is provided. Students who also join a Sing NSW district choir are not required to pay this additional fee for their individual school-base participation.

 

Schools wishing to enrol their school based choral group in the Sing NSW program should download (using the ling below), complete and return the 2008 Sing NSW School-based Choir Application Form.

 

2008 Sing NSW School-based Choir Application Form [.pdf KB]

 

For information concerning the Sing NSW program, please contact Jenny Gregory, Sing NSW Coordinator at The Arts Unit on 02 8512 1184 or by email Jennifer.Gregory@det.nsw.edu.au