Teacher Joanne Malmo said the group were part of the Riverina Central Choir and were selected from their performances throughout the year. 

The team from Henty helped to make up the 2700-strong choir for the event. 

“It was a unique experience because it is not something that you do everyday,” said Mrs Malmo.

“We learnt how to be organised and responsible …  and we had to remember numerous songs, movements and know where to be at the right time,” she said.

“We had to work as a team because everyone was doing the same thing.” Mrs Malmo said the pupils were in awe of the size of the production. 

“We had to learn 27 songs by ourselves at home, we only met once in Wagga with our choir teacher,” she said.

The pupils then undertook two full days of training in Sydney before the event. They later performed on four occasions.

Mrs Malmo said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and there was plenty of excitement. Meanwhile, the atmosphere came alive on Saturday night when the performances were screened on commercial television. Schools Spectacular executive producer Jane Simmons commended all of the people involved.

“While our student performers are absolutely incredible, the staging of the Schools Spectacular by some of our best entertainment professionals makes it unbelievably amazing,” Ms Simmons said.

“We welcomed a new chapter in the 33-year history of the Schools Spectacular with the biggest-ever show in a brand new venue. Creative Director Sonja Sjolander said it was a chance for the more than 5000 performers and thousands more who contributed behind the scenes to relive the exhilaration of the show and congratulate themselves on a wonderful performance.

“Everyone comes together to make Schools Spectacular the well-loved and highly acclaimed show it is live as well as on television screens,” Ms Sjolander said.

“Every single featured artist, dancer, musician, singer and member of the stage crew is a star,” she said.