National Young Opera Makers Competition
Aged 8-14 and love music and theatre? This competition is for you.
Are you a young person with an interest in music and theatre? The National Young Opera Makers Competition invites young people ages 8-14 from across Australia to write a blueprint for an opera.
The winner (or a selection of winners) will have their idea turned into a short form opera to be premiered in the Sydney Opera House Utzon Room on 14 November!
So, what does a ‘blueprint for an opera’ look like?
Children can make a submission of a blueprint for an opera using one or a few of these elements:
The idea must have a connection to the 2026 theme - Road Trip
You don’t have to submit all three elements. You can choose to submit just one (for example, a short story), or a combination (for example, song lyrics and a set design drawing).
Entry steps:
1) Fill out a competition entry form (not an actual submission).
2) You will be emailed a link to submit your entry within four business days.
Entries open 10am, Wednesday 1 April 2026 and close 5pm, 1 July 2026. Winners will be notified by 30 July 2026.
For more info visit thechildrensoperaproject.com/national-comp
Email [email protected]
The winner (or a selection of winners) will have their idea turned into a short form opera to be premiered in the Sydney Opera House Utzon Room on 14 November!
So, what does a ‘blueprint for an opera’ look like?
Children can make a submission of a blueprint for an opera using one or a few of these elements:
- Writing: Short story (maximum 1,000 words)
- Composition: Short musical composition, musical ideas for a character or song lyrics (it doesn’t have to be a complete piece of music). (Maximum 3 minutes or 10 pages).
- Design: Set or costume drawings (maximum 5 pages).
The idea must have a connection to the 2026 theme - Road Trip
You don’t have to submit all three elements. You can choose to submit just one (for example, a short story), or a combination (for example, song lyrics and a set design drawing).
Entry steps:
1) Fill out a competition entry form (not an actual submission).
2) You will be emailed a link to submit your entry within four business days.
Entries open 10am, Wednesday 1 April 2026 and close 5pm, 1 July 2026. Winners will be notified by 30 July 2026.
For more info visit thechildrensoperaproject.com/national-comp
Email [email protected]
2026 theme: Road Trip
FAQ's:
Who can enter?
How will I get to the premiere?
If they live outside of NSW, the winner or winners will have flights paid for themselves and one parent / guardian to Sydney from their nearest capitol city. If they live outside of Sydney, the competition winner or winners will also receive accommodation for two nights in Sydney.
Is there anything else I need to know?
The winners will be invited to attend the premiere in Sydney, and given four free tickets. Children are required to be accompanied by an adult when at the premiere performance.
Who owns the right to my story?
Great question! As part of your entry to the National Young Opera Makers Competition, you allow The Children's Opera Project (ABN 97 549 134 523) to create a new opera with a song or songs based on your idea. If you've done any drawings, such as set or costume design, we may also use your images in the program booklet or the production itself. The winner or winners of the competition will have their idea turned into an opera to premiere at the Sydney Opera House Utzon Room on 15 November.
A video recording of the opera will will also be created during the rehearsal process and may be featured on the web and social media.
If for any reason your opera would have a repeat performance, we will endeavour to let you know. Copyright to your ideas is 'non-exclusive' in that you are welcome to create other creative works based on your story.
The Children's Opera Project will not pay any royalties or other fees to children who submit ideas for the competition.
Can my whole class enter?
The National Young Opera Makers Competition is administered by 'The Children's Opera Project.' The competition is not produced by Sydney Opera House Trust.
FAQ's:
Who can enter?
- Young people age 8-14 who reside in Australia.
- Children must have permission from their parent/guardian to enter
How will I get to the premiere?
If they live outside of NSW, the winner or winners will have flights paid for themselves and one parent / guardian to Sydney from their nearest capitol city. If they live outside of Sydney, the competition winner or winners will also receive accommodation for two nights in Sydney.
Is there anything else I need to know?
The winners will be invited to attend the premiere in Sydney, and given four free tickets. Children are required to be accompanied by an adult when at the premiere performance.
- We will may also work with winners during the development process of the show, prior to the premiere. The exact details of how we develop the show will depend on individual circumstances, including which state the young person lives in, and we will work with parents and guardians on how this will look.
- Children must have permission from a parent / guardian to enter, and declare this on the entry form.
- Winners may be featured on 'The Children's Opera Project' website, in our program booklets, on social media and other forms of media. Parents of the winners will be required to sign a media release / permissions form prior to accepting their win.
Who owns the right to my story?
Great question! As part of your entry to the National Young Opera Makers Competition, you allow The Children's Opera Project (ABN 97 549 134 523) to create a new opera with a song or songs based on your idea. If you've done any drawings, such as set or costume design, we may also use your images in the program booklet or the production itself. The winner or winners of the competition will have their idea turned into an opera to premiere at the Sydney Opera House Utzon Room on 15 November.
A video recording of the opera will will also be created during the rehearsal process and may be featured on the web and social media.
If for any reason your opera would have a repeat performance, we will endeavour to let you know. Copyright to your ideas is 'non-exclusive' in that you are welcome to create other creative works based on your story.
The Children's Opera Project will not pay any royalties or other fees to children who submit ideas for the competition.
Can my whole class enter?
- If you are a teacher who would like to arrange for a group or multiple entries, please email us at [email protected]
The National Young Opera Makers Competition is administered by 'The Children's Opera Project.' The competition is not produced by Sydney Opera House Trust.
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