Tickets to SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR at Qantas Credit Union Arena On Sale 2 Sept

2014 marks the 31st Anniversary of the extraordinary Schools Spectacular. The year's celebration will be held at the Qantas Credit Union Arena (formerly known as the Sydney Entertainment Centre) with four performances being held on Friday 28 & Saturday 29 November.

Since its inception in 1984 this inspirational event has grown to become a highlight on the Sydney entertainment calendar, shining a spotlight on the talents of NSW public school students.

This year's theme THIS IS AUSTRALIA will unite audience and performers in a celebration of the beauty of our landscape, our support of one another in the most trying of times and our leadership on a global scale.

The organisers of Schools Spectacular are bursting with pride this year as they celebrate the success of 2014 The Voice winner Anja Nissen. Anja was one of several finalists on The Voice who have performed as Featured Artists in previous Schools Spectaculars.

Schools Spectacular Creative Director, Sonja Sjolander said: "The joy of performance and the value of striving for excellence are central to the 31-year tradition of the Schools Spectacular. Anja Nissen highlights what an amazing training ground the Spectacular is for young musical talent. Anja will return as a mentor to guide and motivate the Featured Artists and encourage every performer to seize opportunities and strive for success."

In terms of sheer size, scale and scope, the Schools Spectacular is unequalled in the world. This iconic cultural event involves students of varying ages, cultures, skills and socio-economic backgrounds, hailing from country, metropolitan and isolated regions of NSW.

It is regarded as one of Australia's most popular annual variety shows, and this year will feature 3,600 students from 400 NSW public schools: a 1,300-voice choir; 80-piece symphony orchestra; 2,000 dancers; plus rock, jazz, brass and marching bands.

The Schools Spectacular delivers outstanding, cutting-edge youth dance and musical performances. It showcases the brilliance of the most talented singers, dancers and musicians in NSW public schools and incorporates state-of-the-art sound, lighting and staging. Young performers have the opportunity not only to perform in front of a live audience of thousands, but also to be seen nationally in prime time courtesy of the Nine Network.

Schools Spectacular alumni include international artists Human Nature; musical director, pianist and composer John Foreman; 2013 The Voice finalists Diana Rouvas and Darren Percival; ARIA winners Paulini and Angus and Julia Stone; musical theatre stars David Harris, Lucy Maunder, Amanda Harrison, Julie Goodwin and Trevor Ashley; composer Gavin Lockley and country singers The McClymonts, Felicity Urquhart and Darren Coggan.

The Schools Spectacular also features the World's Biggest Classroom exhibition, displaying the work of public school students in public venues. This year seven Sydney train stations and five Westfield Centres along with the Qantas Credit Union Arena foyer will display the work of NSW public schools and students.

The Schools Spectacular is presented by the NSW Department of Education and Communities.

The event is proudly supported Major Sponsor the University of Western Sydney in association with Staples and Teachers Mutual Bank.