Every year the Arts Unit of the DEC organises a series of four concerts featuring students from public schools across NSW. Ruby and Lucy are part of the combined string orchestra that performs three pieces composed and arranged specifically for these concerts. The students are required to learn the music off by heart as with over 200 musicians on stage there is no room for music stands. The girls have been practicing very hard for the past 6 months to get ready for the concert and have performed in front of their school as a rehearsal. Their teacher Dan Efraemson has prepared students for this program for the past 6 years, and this is Lucy's second year performing.

In between the combined string and recorder items, the concert will also feature acts from various schools. These highly prestigious spots are selected through a video audition process, and only about a dozen acts are invited to perform. Auditions are open to ensembles and solo acts from any government primary or secondary school in NSW. This year a year 11 music student from Narooma High, Samantha Sly has been invited to perform. She will perform her version of "Fix You" by Coldplay. Samantha is obviously extremely excited. "It's an amazing opportunity. I can't really believe I'm going to sing at the Opera House. I'm very grateful for the opportunity... and a bit nervous too."