Schools Spectacular

The Schools Spectacular is an Australian variety show featuring more than 3000 young students and is performed annually at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Highlights of the Schools Spectacular are broadcast each year by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The actual performance is made up of many different pieces. A typical piece would have a spotlighted soloist singing on an elevated platform in the arena, surrounded by many dancers and actors. On the stage, the orchestra would be playing the instrumental part of the song while the choirs behind and next to the orchestra would be singing the chorus of the song.

The first Schools Spectacular was Schools Spectacular 1983 and was intended to be a sound test for the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Since then, the Schools Spectacular has evolved in ways no one could have imagined back then.

Schools Spectacular 2005 was dubbed "The Face of Australia" and celebrated the Australian history, landscape, goal and lifestyle. A tribute to Alec Campbell, the last surviving ANZAC, who had died in 2002, was in the production. Previous Schools Spectacular successes like John Foreman (Who hosted Schools Spectacular 2005) and Human Nature made appearances during the show.

Schools Spectacular was broadcasted as a telecast with the highlights by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and as a first, webcasted through the Internet onto their website, with the help and sponsorhip by Cisco Systems. See the [http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/global/asiapac/news/2005/pr_12-05.html News Bulletin on this event] .

The Schools Spectacular is funded by 'The Arts Unit' of the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Past Themes

Each year the School Spectacular follows a theme, usually reflective of something Australian:

1993 - One Spirit

1994 - International

1995 - Hats Off To Australia

1996 - Get Set 2000

1997 - The Edge

1998 - Reaching the World

1999 - To Be Australian

2000 - The Entertainers

2001 - Celebrate!

2002 - By Invitation

2003 - 20 Years on

2004 - 21st Birthday

2005 - The Face of Australia

2006 - Shine

2007 - My Spec

2008 - Where Are You Now

Schools Spectacular 2008

This year is the 25th anniversary of Schools Spectacular. It will grow to a new level, and bring back some of the most talented performers in the show's history (many who are now world famous), from when it began in 1984 until today. It will take you back to when it all began and you will see how the show has grown over the twenty-five amazing spectacular years. It will be "the biggest of all Spectaculars", taking you on an epic journey, beyond imagination, of major talent and breathtaking non-stop entertainment.

From the finest lighting and sound, to thousands of the most dazzling costumes, the Spectacular event has grown to be one of the biggest shows on earth, also published in Guinness World Records for over 10 years now as "the world's biggest variety show", and claimed by audiences across Australia as "the most heart-warming event of the year".

The Spectacular starts off with hundreds filling the grand stage for the breathtaking opening and builds by "thousands" in over three hours of non-stop amazing performances and amazing talent. Finally the strong cast of over 3500 of the most talented student performers across NSW return to the one grand stage for the explosive and emotional finale.

The Schools Spectacular has touched the hearts of thousands and thousands of people watching it live at the Sydney Entertainment Cente or at home on television. After all, the name says it all, it's simply just "SPECTACULAR".

Don't miss out!

The ball is rolling and everyone is excited...see you all in November for a show of a lifetime!

For more information go to the Schools Spectacular website at www.schoolsspectacular.com.au

Schools Spectacular 2007

Schools Spectacular 2007, dubbed "My Spec", had a schools preview performance on Friday 23 November 2007, followed by an evening performance on the same day. There was another performance at 2pm and 8pm on Saturday 24 November.

Schools Spectacular 2006

See Shine (Schools Spectacular)

Notable Alumni

* Human Nature (band, Australian recording artists)
* Nathan Foley (children's TV group Hi-5)
* John Foreman (musician, Australian Idol musical director, Schools Spectacular host)
* Shannon Brown (The Ten Tenors)
* Paulini (Australian Idol finalist, Australian recording artist, Young Divas)

External links

* [http://www.schoolsspectacular.com.au/ Official Website]
* [http://www.pau.nsw.edu.au/TAU/Events/Schools%20Spec/Home.htm TAU Site]