Vocal groups and choirs, Years 3–6
Primary Schools
Celebration Sing Out! invites you to this inspiring opportunity for students to experience the joy, connection and educational value of large-scale music making in a community context.
Send a brief email and Lois will call you at your nominated time with more information. Early expressions of interest assist greatly with planning, as places are limited.
Principals, creative arts coordinators, music teachers and choir directors: your school is warmly invited to take part in Celebration Sing Out! 2026, whether it’s your first year or you’ve sung with us before.
Now in its 34th year, Celebration Sing Out! brings together children, youth and adults from across Sydney, regional NSW and beyond to share “the joy and healing power of great music” while raising funds for children’s health. All proceeds are donated to the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation for Music Therapy at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
At its heart is a simple idea: kids helping kids.
Why consider Celebration Sing Out! for your school?
- A concert to remember. The program includes a massed primary choir and individual school items in the first half, and a massed secondary and adult choir with orchestra in the second. The finale this year is “I Still Call Australia Home”, with all singers, orchestra and audience participation.
- Aligned with the NSW Creative Arts (Music) Syllabus. The program is organised and led by serving and retired teachers and reflects authentic classroom practice.
- Suitable for existing choirs, or the perfect reason to start one. Music educators provide strong support to help teachers establish and prepare vocal ensembles.
- Participation is completely free. All repertoire, teaching materials and rehearsal resources are provided online at no cost.
- Professional learning and teacher support. Print music, audio files, teaching guidance, optional workshops, and workshop videos for flexible access.
- Developmentally appropriate repertoire. All songs are written specifically for children, with diverse programming including a work by an established Aboriginal composer.
- Performing at the heritage-listed Sydney Town Hall. The concert is proudly supported by the City of Sydney.
The musical experience
Students will sing as part of a massed primary choir of more than 350 children, led by primary music specialist Jay House, Director of Music – Curriculum and Choral Music (K–6) at Knox Grammar School. Repertoire selection and teaching approach are grounded firmly in the NSW Primary Creative Arts Curriculum.
For schools with an established vocal group, it’s a big performance to work towards. For others, it’s a ready-made framework for starting a new one.
The concert ends with a grand finale: more than 350 primary children join as many secondary and adult singers, accompanied by a superb community-based symphony orchestra, to perform “I Still Call Australia Home” from The Boy from Oz in the iconic Sydney Town Hall.
Practical and classroom benefits
- Repertoire with backing tracks suitable for assemblies, events and ceremonial performances at school
- Classroom-ready repertoire adaptable for Years 3–6
- Printable scores and lyrics for screen display or hard copy
- Streaming and downloadable audio resources
- Sample performances to build student confidence and awareness
- Flexible learning: students can practise at home to reinforce what they learn at school
- Optional workshops for both teachers and students, which are videoed and posted online
- Curriculum links are provided for the concert pieces
Key date
Sunday 1 November 2026, Sydney Town Hall. Rehearsals from 11:00am; concert 4:00pm – 6:30pm. Only this one day is essential, and there are no required days out of school.
We would be delighted to welcome your school to Celebration Sing Out!
Lois Donnelly, Coordinator of Primary Choirs
Questions? 10am–10pm: 0429 928 995 · celebrationsingout@gmail.com