HIGH SCHOOL | SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
Program Overview
Performing at Sydney Opera House is an honor reserved for elite student performers. Selected Finalists experience music in new ways during this international performance adventure.
2025 High School Honors Performance Series at Sydney Opera House
Program Dates: July 7-12th, 2025!!
Unleash Your Musical Brilliance! The High School Honors Performance Series at Sydney Opera House takes the stage, building upon the prestigious legacy of the Carnegie Hall Series. Accomplished 9th-12th grade musicians face thrilling challenges in the iconic Concert Hall at Sydney Opera House—one of the world’s most revered performance institutions. As Selected Finalists, they’ll immerse themselves in six unforgettable days in Sydney. Under the guidance of master conductors, they’ll fine-tune their artistry, explore the vibrant highlights of “the Harbour City”, and forge connections with other exceptional musicians from around the globe.
Important updates:
We are still accepting applications through Rolling Admissions through the end of April!
Sightseeing Extension to the Great Barrier Reef now available as an addon for Accepted Finalists. NEW for 2025, Accepted Finalists may attend the sightseeing extension to the Great Barrier Reef, without a family member accompanying them! Please reach out to Admissions with any additional questions.
Program Highlights
- Perform as part of the Honors Choir, Honors Band, or Honors Orchestra at Sydney Opera House
- Work with master conductors and build your performing resume
- Rehearse and interact with other Finalists from across the world
- Celebrate your accomplishments on a Finalist Celebration Cruise on Sydney Harbour
- Experience the highlights of Sydney, including a day trip into the Blue Mountains, and see some of Australia’s famed animal species, such as kangaroos, emus, and koalas
Sample Itinerary
(tentative and subject to change)
Day 1
- Morning: Arrive in Sydney (note: depending on your city of origin, you may need to leave home as early as 2 days before to arrive in Sydney for the start of the program)
- Afternoon: Meet your Chaperone and explore Sydney, including a stop at Bondi Beach
- Evening: Hotel check-in and welcome meeting
Day 2
- All Day: Blue Mountains day tour (ride the steepest passenger railway in the world, drive to Echo Point to view the Three Sisters rock formation, and more)
Day 3
- Morning & Afternoon: Seating and rehearsals
- Evening: Explore and take a walking tour of Sydney's famous historic district, the Rocks
Day 4
- Morning & Afternoon: Rehearsals
- Evening: Finalist Celebration Cruise on Sydney Harbour (includes breathtaking views of your performance venue!)
Day 5
- Morning: Final rehearsal
- Afternoon: Concert prep and sound check
- Evening: Opera House performance
Day 6
- Morning: Farewell and return to the airport
- Afternoon: Depart for home
Student performers attending the High School Honors Performance Series are eligible to receive college credit(s) through George Mason University.
Scholarship Opportunities
The Honors Performance Series is dedicated to bringing together talented student performers from around the world. Partial scholarships are available to ensure that performers of all economic backgrounds may apply for this unique performance honor at Sydney Opera House. The scholarship application will be made available following program acceptances. Please contact us at +1-800-503-0807 to learn more.
The Series is additionally proud to share a number of fundraising ideas with selected performers. Click here for more details.
What's Included?
The 2025 program tuition includes the following:
- All rehearsals, including equipment and sheet music
- All production and services for the Sydney Opera House performance
- All shown activities, including sightseeing, celebration, and other activities
- All ground transportation during the program, including transfers between the assigned airport and hotel (flights to and from Australia are the responsibility of the participants. Additional information about the option to participate in a group flight will be distributed to Finalists after acceptance)
- Exposure to and learning from world-class conductors for the program duration
- Experienced chaperones, city touring guides, and program staff
- Five nights’ lodging in a centrally located, student-friendly hotel with on-site staff
- Hotel night security on each occupied floor to ensure a restful night for performers
- A 24-hour staffed emergency office to handle any unexpected circumstances
- 24-hour access to Doctors on Call, our U.S.-based medical support through The George Washington University Hospital, during the program
- Extensive traveler insurance while on the program
Please Note: Transportation to/from Sydney and meals are the responsibilities of the participant and are not included in the program cost.
Tuition and Payment Plan for Selected Finalists
2025 Program Tuition: $3,999
Selected performers have the option to satisfy the full tuition upon acceptance or follow a payment plan, which spreads out the tuition amount between the date of acceptance and the program start date.
Payment plans are generated at the time of acceptance, and monthly payments are automatically charged to the participant's credit card on the first or 15th of the month. Accepted Finalists can review additional details by logging into my.honorsperformance.org and clicking "Payment".
Spencer
Finalist
The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented and operated by WorldStrides.
