Finalist FAQs

Unfortunately, we do not maintain data about the total number of applicants annually. To give you an idea of the scope of the applicant pool, our team processed more than 12,000 nominations for the 2019 Series.

We are very pleased to have accepted over 80 performers from 30 United States, Canada, and Guatemala to perform at Sydney Opera House in August.

If you applied on multiple parts, you have been accepted to perform only the part that is listed on your acceptance email/letter, and you will be performing only with the ensemble listed. The ensemble and part assignments are the result of feedback from our Selection Board and the information you provided on your application. The Selection Board has put significant time and thought into the assignments for all selected Finalists in order to satisfy balance requirements, as well as to maintain an equally high level of musicality for all ensembles.

Acceptance letters were mailed on approximately October 31, 2018 to Finalists from the US and Canada. You can expect your packet to arrive by mid-November.

While you wait, all acceptance materials are available on the Resources page (linked above).

You will receive an email update including your part assignments and links to download your sheet music in late April or early May.

As soon as the sheet music is ready for you to begin rehearsing, you will receive an email with links to PDFs of the sheet music online as well as confirmation as to which specific part to prepare. It is expected that each Finalist will arrive in Sydney having prepared each piece to the best of your ability. To help you feel confident and ready, we will provide regular notes and suggestions, but don’t wait to start preparing!

Unless requested otherwise, Finalists will be rooming four to a room with two double beds. You do have the opportunity to request triple, double, or single occupancy (additional costs apply) and these requests must be submitted online on the Finalist Confirmation Form. All requests will be handled on a first-come, space-available basis. Please note, if you elect a room upgrade and have not remitted the surcharge payment by December 28, 2018, you will be placed in a quad occupancy room. Room upgrades elected and/or paid for after December 28 will be arranged on a space-available basis.

There is no specific dress code for the rehearsal days, though sweatpants or pajama pants should not be worn at rehearsals. Attire for the Finalist Celebration is casual; we recommend Finalists wear what they wore to rehearsals.

The Finalist dress code for the Sydney Opera House performance is specific and allows a formal, uniform look without requiring participants to purchase robes. Clothing items should be neat, dressy, and modest, reflecting the honor and formal nature of the event.

Female performers must wear:

• A white, collared blouse with long sleeves and a modest neckline.
• Shirts must be tucked in.
• Black slacks (not jean-style). Belts must be black.
• No dresses or gowns.
• Closed-toed, flat or low-heeled, black dress shoes (no higher than a 2” heel are permitted).
• No low-cut shirts or exposed midriffs permitted.
• No scarves or embellished headwear permitted.

Male performers must wear:

• A long-sleeved, white dress shirt.
• Shirts must be tucked in.
• Undershirts must be white without any graphics or writing.
• Black straight tie (no bowties permitted).
• Black dress slacks.
• Belts must be black.
• Black dress shoes and socks.
• No hats or scarves permitted.

The flight times below are recommended in order to be on time to all scheduled Finalist activities. Please note that transportation between the airport and the Series hotel is not provided and all participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation.

Traveling to Sydney: Finalists (and Family Program participants, only if selecting the Full Access program) should plan to arrive in Sydney on the morning of July 31, 2019 between 7:00a and 11:00a. Important note: Due to travel time and time zone differences, travelers from the United States will need to depart home no later than July 29 to arrive in Sydney on the 31st.

Departing for Home: Flights should depart for home anytime on August 5. Check out is in accordance with hotel policies which is generally around 10:00a. If you need to arrange a late check-out, please do so onsite with the hotel staff. We do not have any activities scheduled on August 5, but you will have a full day of scheduled activities the day before, so taking a flight out that night is not recommended.

Please contact the Series before booking travel plans outside of these designated windows so we can confirm your desired plans do not conflict with required activities. All participants will be required to share their travel arrangements with the Series.

You will receive an email update with a link to the Finalist Travel Form soliciting your travel plans. This information allows us to best plan for your arrival.

Unfortunately, our system cannot upload emailed travel information, so please refrain from sending your travel confirmations until you receive the form link.

The Online Payment Portal is available on the Deadlines tab; click the "Make a Payment" button. Our team is also available to take payments over the phone at +1 (800) 503-0807.

The Series proudly offers two Family Program packages to allow family members, friends, and educators to share in the Honors Performance Series experience. These packages are designed to enable supporters to stay in Sydney and attend many exclusive program events only available to Finalists and Family Program participants.

For full itinerary detail and inclusions, click here.

Individual performance tickets may be purchased through the Sydney Opera House box office. Tickets (as available) will go on sale 60 days before the performance.

Please note that the Finalist package does not include tickets to the Honors Performance for friends and family members. Each Family Program participant receives one Priority Seating Ticket to the performance. We are unable to accommodate requests for individually purchased tickets to be seated in the priority seating section.

We’ve created a Facebook group for Finalists and their family members to connect and receive specific program updates. We know not all participants have Facebook accounts, so while this is a great resource, all of the information shared in the group will also be shared with Finalists through email updates. We invite you to join our group, “2019 Young Adult Sydney Opera House Finalists."

Here’s how:

• Login to your existing Facebook account or create an account.
• Search for "2019 Young Adult Sydney Opera House Finalists".
• The group will show up in your search results. Click “Request to Join”.
• We will confirm your membership within two business days. For safety reasons, the Series will admit only Finalists, Responsible Parties listed on Finalists’ accounts, and Family Package participants. If your Facebook name is different than your real name, please email us so we can properly consider your request to join.