General Audition Information and Criteria

For the Semester 2 Music auditions, all students are required to submit their audition performances via video recordings. This means you will need to record yourself performing the audition piece at home or another suitable location.

Audition Criteria

• Candidates will be assessed on:
• Performance quality and technical skills, including articulation of notes with correct pitch intonation, rhythmical phrasing, dynamic control, and expressive techniques
• Appropriate standard of performance item (Grade 3–4 AMEB recommended)
• Sight reading skills, including reading notation and chord charts (for instrumental candidates)
• Confidence in delivering repertoire (for vocal candidates)
• Vocal strength, technical skill in projection, accuracy in pitch and intonation, and rhythmic accuracy (for vocal candidates)

Instrumental Criteria:

• Prepare a performance of 1-2 minutes in length approx time recommended. 2 short pieces is acceptable.
• Performance quality and technical skills including articulation of notes with correct pitch intonation, rhythmical phrasing, dynamic control and expressive techniques displayed
• Appropriate standard of performance item. Grade 3 - 4 for AMEB is recommended
• Sight reading skills, including reading notation and chord charts

Vocal Criteria:

• Prepare a performance of 1-2 minutes in length approx.
• Demonstrating confidence in delivering repertoire
• Vocal strength and technical skill in projecting
• Accuracy in pitch and intonation
• Ability to phrase or sing melodies with rhythmic accuracy and timing

Advice for Music Audition Video Submissions

• Prepare a performance of approximately 1–2 minutes. Two short pieces are acceptable.
• Use backing tracks where necessary to demonstrate pitch and rhythmic skills (not required for piano accompaniment).
• Ensure sound quality is clear, without background noise or echo.
• Candidates should be dressed appropriately; current school uniform is acceptable.
• The candidate’s body must be framed within the video throughout the performance.
• Instrumental candidates must show their instrument clearly. Piano performances should be filmed from the right-hand side, showing both hands clearly.
• Review the video before submitting to ensure it is suitable for audition.
• Name your file before attaching it to the application (e.g., John Smith Music Audition 2025).

Introduction Video Questions

1. Introduce yourself. Tell us about your experiences as an artist, soloist, or member of an ensemble.
2. What are your interests in the creative and performing arts for your chosen area?
3. What would you consider to be the most challenging aspect of your chosen CAPA area?
4. What are you most looking forward to, if selected as a student to attend Northmead CAPA High School?

FAQs and audition advice

Which instruments and styles are suitable for an audition?

Brass, Woodwind, String, Guitar, Bass, Drums/Percussion and Voice. Song choices and musical styles other than Western Music styles are not acceptable for audition. Vocalists are required to sing repertoire in English.

My child has been involved in Concert Band & Vocal Ensemble in Primary School. Is this suitable for a High School audition?

Yes, we encourage students with Band Experience, however parts from their Concert Band are not usually suitable for audition. Chosen repertoire pieces should be selected where the candidate’s part is clearly the featured soloist.

Can my child audition for multiple instruments?

It is recommended that candidates audition with their strongest instrument. You can provide details of additional instrumentation in the application.

What grade repertoire piece should be played?

This varies across a range of instruments and styles with a recommendation of Grade 4 as a guideline. Your child’s private music tutor will be best placed to recommend repertoire. The panel’s suggestions include pieces that reflect the candidate’s delivery of technical skills including pitch, rhythmic ability and timing, dynamics and expressive qualities, stylistic interpretation or understanding of musical elements, as well as confidence and preparation of the repertoire.

How long should should the audition piece be?

Prepare a performance of 1-2 minutes in length approx time recommended. 2 short pieces is acceptable

Which instruments are provided? - Live auditions

Please bring all personal instruments. A drum kit, guitar/bass amplifier and piano/keyboard are provided.

What accompaniment is required for auditions?

Backing tracks are the preferred option. Live accompanists must be arranged prior, providing details to the school in advance. Backing tracks are recommended for vocalists and for some instrumental solo arrangements and should be discussed and selected with guidance from your child’s tutor. The track should not have the candidates part, eg, singing along with the original song of a recorded performance. Piano auditions do not require accompaniment.

What to expect during the audition - Live auditions only

Candidates will be asked to sight read a short passage of music with vocalists harmonising and performing a sequence of notes given from a keyboard. The panel will ask questions regarding experiences as a performer, within ensemble groups or as a soloist. Discussion of musical interests, private tuition, as well as their interest and expectation as a potential student of Northmead CAPA High School. Please take the opportunity to ask questions during the audition about our program and opportunities. All auditions are filmed for quality and decision making purposes, and will not be shared outside of the auditioning panel.

Where do I wait during my childs audition? - Live auditions only

The audition takes about 15 - 20 minutes with parents and carers required to wait in the Reception area. Student representatives escort candidates to their audition. Candidates are to wear their school’s uniform.

When do I find out about my child’s audition result?

A response will be provided within a two week time frame (excluding holidays). Please note that no further correspondence will be entered into after this decision. Unsuccessful candidates will be provided with feedback about the strengths and weaknesses of the audition.

1. Lessons are scheduled upon receipt of the application form and full payment for the term.
2. Notification is required before the lesson if a student is unable to attend their scheduled lesson. An alternate time can be negotiated. If the tuition coordinator is not informed of the absence, the lesson will be deemed to have been taught.
3. If a school-based activity has been organised prior to the scheduled lesson, an excursion or exam, it is the responsibility of the student/parent to inform the tuition coordinator of the absence.
4. No refund or catch-up is given for students who forget to attend their scheduled lesson.
5. Senior/CAPA students will be given priority when scheduling tuition. We cannot cater for requests of specific times.  We reserve the right to change students’ lesson times if necessary.
6. Discontinuation of tuition is accepted at the end of a completed term. Notice via email is required otherwise a student will be re-enrolled for the next term.
7. Payment for tuition must be made within the terms of payment given on an invoice in full. No part payments will be considered.

Credit is given as a refund/credit for term following if a student misses their lesson for these following reasons:

1. Tutor is absent and it is not possible for the student and tutor to schedule a catch-up lesson.
2. The tuition coordinator or tutor has been given notice before the lesson eg sickness, excursion, assessment
3. Unforeseen timetable changes made by the tuition coordinator.
4. If the student is absent from tuition for an extended period of time under special circumstances. Please contact the tuition coordinator or directly with the tutor

A weekly email is sent to all parents with the time of their lesson. Timetables will also be posted outside on the door of tuition room 44.

Vocal Tutor

Natalie Gooneratne

Bachelor of Music Education – Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Licentiate (Hon) Trinity College of Music London (Voice performance)

Choral Director, Teacher, Singer, Song writer

Natalie has over 10 years of experience as a voice teacher in performance and choral directing. She was the Founder and former Artistic Director of Evolution, University of the Visual and Performing Arts Choir, Sri Lanka, who in 2014 won the Commonwealth Song Competition held in Glasgow along with national television appearances. In 2018 Natalie founded and is the Artistic Director of Phoenix Voices of Youth – a Diverse choir based in Western Sydney. The choir gave regular performances including for the then Governor of NSW His Excellency Hon David Hurley (2018), television appearances on SBS and ABC TV (2018 & 2019) and at the Sydney Town Hall (2019) for the Mayor of Sydney and Secretary General of Amnesty International. Under her direction in 2022 the choir was invited to perform for Australia’s Got Talent which was received with a standing ovation.

As a performer, Natalie was trained as a classical singer and sings regularly with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs at the Sydney Opera House and has also sung with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka as part of their young soloist of the year series. She has also had training in Austria and Germany. Apart from her classical background her passion is in working on all genres of Music be it Pop, Jazz, Indie, Musicals and Hip Hop - turning those songs into interesting Choral Repertoire which are both fun, engaging and inspiring.

In early 2021, Natalie made her debut as the Choral Director for the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Playing Beatie Bow, a critically acclaimed new stage adaptation by Kate Mulvany, directed by Kip Williams. She has also been a guest conductor for River City Voices Choir and Macquarie University Singers. In 2024 Natalie will be a conductor for Gondwana National Choral School.

Natalie is also a High School Choral Director and is currently studying for her Masters degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Guitar Tutor

Owain Roberts

Owain Roberts has been learning the guitar since he was 5 and his interest in all things musical has only increased since that early age.  Guitar has always been his main passion and he has had lessons with some of Sydney's best guitarists covering a wide range of styles (Rock, Pop, Fingerstyle, Jazz, Heavy Metal, Classical, and Blues to name a few).  He has also learnt piano, vocals and bass guitar formally and dabbled in many other stringed instruments.  On top of his instrumental training Owain has completed a Bachelor of Music at the University of Western Sydney majoring in composition and performance.

Owain is great at helping students of all ages anywhere from beginner to advanced skill levels.  Whether you are looking to just learn some songs, or want to dive in a little deeper and improve technique, explore improvisation and composition ideas, or learn about music notation and music theory, he will tailor lessons suited to each individual student with a focus very much on student enjoyment.  As the most important part of learning music is enjoying what you are doing.