Get Ready to Ignite the Stage at Supernova!
With heart-pounding live music, jaw-dropping dance moves, and a vibe that electrifies your senses, NUS student life shines brightest at the annual outdoor music and dance festival – SUPERNOVA: Rising Star 2026. This edition promises to be a pulsating fusion of talent and energy!
- Live Auditions will be on the 22 April 2026 at the University Sports Centre. See the show schedule here!
- Supernova: Rising Star 2026 is happening on 14 August, 5:30pm at University Town Green.
Who Are We Looking For
- Open to all NUS students and groups who have a passion for performance.
- Students who are still undergraduate or graduate students in August 2026 (Students who graduate in July 2026 are ineligible).
- Live music or dance groups with high energy performances
How to Submit
Interested student groups must submit an online application to be considered:
- Assemble a group comprising of NUS full-time current students.
- Video record a maximum length of 1 minute 30 seconds performance piece. This video will be used to assess groups for the live audition based on the judging criteria stated below.
Kindly refer to Video Submission Guidelines in the Terms & Conditions below for more details.
a. Groups that submit videos longer than 1 minute 30 seconds will automatically be disqualified.
b. Repertoire can be changed from the video to the live audition and for the final performance.
c. All members of your item must be consistent throughout your video entry submission, live auditions, and final performance.
d. Once your video entry submission is received, no replacement or additional members will be allowed for your live auditions and final performance. Removal of member(s) from your band or performance, if necessary, is allowed.
e. No resubmission of video entries will be allowed. - Prepare submission form fields
a. Group name
b. Primary and secondary contact details: mobile number, NUS email address and telegram handle.
c. Type of performance
d. YouTube link - Please upload your video and complete the submission form by 20 March 2026, 2359hrs.
Please note that each performer is only allowed to participate in one group performance. If performers represent more than one group, all groups in which the performer is in will automatically be disqualified.
Judging Criteria
1. Video Submission: Relevance (high energy vibe of Supernova), Entertainment Value, Technical Proficiency
2. Live Audition: Entertainment Value, Stage presence and appearance, Technical Proficiency, Originality
3. Performance: Audience Choice
Prizes (Audience Choice)
The cash prizes awarded will be as follows:
| Cash Amount | |
| First Prize | S$1,000 |
| Second Prize | S$800 |
| Third Prize | S$600 |
| Finalists | S$400 |
Terms and Conditions
SUPERNOVA: Rising Star is co-presented by the Office of Student Affairs and University Campus Infrastructure and organised by NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) and NUS Students' Cultural Activities Club (CAC). By registering for your participation, you (herein as the “Participant”, you acknowledge and accept all terms and conditions set out herein.
A) Submission of video audition:
- Submission of video entries begin from 4 Mar 2026 and will end on 23 Mar 2026, 2359hrs, Singapore Time. Videos must be submitted within the stipulated time to stand a chance to be featured in Supernova: Rising Star 2026.
- No profanities or insensitive subject matters will be permitted. This includes any use of backing tracks.
- Participants who submit pieces longer than the time limit will not be considered.
- Only un-edited videos will be accepted for the audition; parts of video clips trimmed and combined are not acceptable.
- Judges’ comments will not be disclosed. Judges’ decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
- Participants will be based on the video recording submitted. Should this be an archival of a past performance, participants are to highlight the reasons for variations which are subject to the organisers' discretion to proceed with the auditions. A full performer list is required to be submitted for the selected participants to undergo live auditions where no changes are allowed.
- Changes to the video are not allowed once submitted.
- Participants will be notified via email about the shortlist results on 27 March 2026. Shortlisted entries will be also published on OSA website. Successful participants will have to accept the offer by 7 April, or else their eligibility to perform will be forfeited.
- Participants should retain the original video recorded in either full HD or 4K and submit it to Supernova upon request as the organisers may contact participants for the original videos to be featured in Supernova: Rising Star publicity. (Please refer to video submission guidelines below)
B) Live auditions:
- Shortlisted entries will participate in an in-person audition on 22 April 2026, at the University Sports Centre.
- All performers must be physically present for the auditions.
- Rehearsals for onsite auditions will be conducted on 20 to 21 April 2026. Shortlisted participants must attend live auditions rehearsals. Exact time slots for each group will be announced closer to the date.
- Participants will be required to prepare 1 performance item.
- Performance duration for the onsite auditions will be 5 minutes.
- The organisers reserve the right to request for a change in setlist in the event of duplicates in song choices among the finalists.
- Backing tracks will only be allowed for dance groups. No backing tracks will be allowed for bands.
C) Performance:
- All shortlisted participating groups must attend technical runs and full-dress rehearsals on 12 to 13 August 2026. Exact time slots for each group will be announced closer to date. Please ensure that all performers are able to attend the rehearsals.
- Performance duration will be 7 minutes.
- The organisers reserve the right to determine the programme order.
- All finalists must be prepared to reduce or extend their repertoire to fit the programme order.
- The winner of Supernova will not be allowed to compete in the following year’s Supernova.
D) Personal Data
- The organiser may collect, use and/or disclose each participant’s personal information to their officers, employees, appointed service providers, affiliated organisations and event partners, as may be required for the administration of the programme and all matters arising thereunder.
- Each participant further agrees that the organiser may use and disclose the participant’s personal data contained in his/her entry (including but not limited to his/her name, photograph or image, etc.) for the purposes of this programme and for promotional, marketing and publicity purposes by the organisers. Where an entry contains the personal data of individuals other than the participant, the participant confirms and warrants that he/she has obtained everyone's consent for such use and disclosure of that individual’s personal data for the aforementioned purposes.
Video Submission Guidelines
General Requirements:
- Video Duration: 1 minute 30 seconds
- Upload Platform: YouTube (submit as an unlisted link)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (landscape mode only).
- Resolution using Cameras: Minimum 1080p (Full HD), 4K preferred for the best quality.
- Frame Rate: 30fps or 60fps for smooth motion capture.
For Mobile Phone Recording:
- Use the rear camera for higher resolution and better clarity.
- Stabilization: Use a tripod or gimbal for steady footage.
- Enable HDR (if available) for improved color and contrast.
- Check focus & exposure: Tap on your subject before recording to lock focus and adjust brightness.
Lighting Tips:
- Record in a well-lit area (natural daylight or soft artificial light).
- Avoid backlighting (bright lights behind the subject) to prevent silhouettes.
- For dance performances, ensure the entire group is evenly lit, avoiding shadows on key movements.
- If indoors, use multiple light sources to minimize shadows and maintain clarity.
Audio Quality:
- For music-based performances, ensure the background track is clear and at the right volume.
- For bands, ensure drums and other loud instruments do not overpower other instruments or vocals.
- Use an external microphone for any live vocals or sound effects.
- Avoid recording in noisy environments to prevent interference with the music.
- For dance-based performances: For precise synchronisation, play the music on an external speaker while dancing, then overlay the clean track during editing.
Camera Positioning:
- Ensure the entire dance group is visible in the frame without cutting off movements.
- Use a wide-angle shot or adjust camera distance to fit everyone.
- If possible, use multiple camera angles to showcase different perspectives.
Additional Tips for Dance Group Submissions:
- Choose a spacious location where dancers can move freely without obstructions.
- Mark stage boundaries to ensure performers stay within the camera frame.
- Coordinate outfits to enhance visual appeal and group unity.
- Practice with camera placement beforehand to avoid surprises during recording.
- Minimise background distractions to keep the focus on the performance.
Submission:
- Upload your final video to YouTube as an unlisted link.
- Submit the link as per event instructions.
Following these guidelines will help showcase your performance with the best video and audio quality for Supernova: Rising Star!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Q1: Can I audition as a solo singer? Auditions as a solo singer are allowed. However, we highly encourage you to form a group with friends as we will be prioritising high-energy performance groups. |
| Q2: Can I participate in more than one group? Each participant is limited to only one group application regardless of genre and category. |
| Q3. For Band and Dance applications, are we limited to only English songs? All languages are welcome however profanities and insensitive materials are not permitted. |
| Q4: We are interested in applying as a dance group. How many dancers should there be in my group and what genres of dance are acceptable? We are looking for a group size of 15 to 20 dancers, however these are just recommended numbers given the stage size of supernova and are not hard restrictions. All genres of dance are welcome. |
| Q5. Half of my band/dance group is graduating this semester AY25/26. Can we still perform? This platform is reserved for current students who will continue to matriculate in AY26/27. Unfortunately, students graduating this semester in July 2026 as Class of 2026 will not be eligible to perform. |
| Q6. In the event we make it to the actual performance, do we have to perform the same song/dance item we had previously sent in for the video audition? You have the option to perform another song/dance item that best showcases your talent, but the item will have to be vetted and approved by the organising team. |
| Q7. How many groups will be shortlisted for the performance? This is dependent on the standard of applicants for both the band and dance segments. |
| Q8. In the event a member of the group is unable to make it for the in-person auditions, what should we do? All members of the group are required to attend the live auditions for the group to qualify. For further enquiries, please contact us via email. |
Contact
For enquiries, email supernova@nus.edu.sg; please allow at least 3-working days for responses.
Key Dates (2026)
- 23 Mar (2359hrs): Video submission deadline (EXTENDED)
- 27 Mar: Shortlist announced; successful entries will be notified by email
- 20 & 21 Apr: Rehearsals for onsite audition
- 22 Apr: Onsite audition
- 11 May: Onsite audition results release
- 12 & 13 Aug: Rehearsals and soundcheck for performance
- 14 Aug: Supernova: Rising Star 2026
SUPERNOVA: Rising Star is co-presented by the Office of Student Affairs and University Campus Infrastructure and organised by NUS Students’ Union and Cultural Activities Club.
