Newcastle soprano Layla Schillert is set to perform at one of Australia's most cherished Christmas events, but her appearance will be tinged with sorrow. The 20-year-old singer will take the stage at The Salvation Army's Carols in the Domain in Sydney this Saturday, an event that will now also serve as a communal moment of reflection following last weekend's tragic loss of life at Bondi Beach.
A Night of Music and Mourning
For Schillert, singing for the event's massive television and live audience will be a career highlight, yet the experience will be bittersweet. The horrific events at Bondi last Sunday will cast a shadow over the festivities, prompting organisers to weave moments of solemn remembrance into the evening's program.
Executive producer Michael McKay stated that the carols have always been a place for community joy, but this year they will also provide a space for collective grief. "In times of tragedy, Carols in the Domain serves as a place where the community can come together, sing together, even cry together," McKay said. The planned candle-lighting ceremony will include a special tribute to the victims, with several songs dedicated to those affected.
From Hunter Stages to the National Spotlight
Layla Schillert is a rising star from the Hunter region. A graduate of the Hunter School of the Performing Arts in Broadmeadow, her career is already flourishing. Her upcoming Domain performance came via a recommendation from her idol, soprano Amy Manford. Schillert's credits are impressive for her age:
- Top 50 finalist on Australian Idol 2023.
- Performed alongside stars like Marina Prior in Superstars - A Musical Celebration.
- Voiced Mrs Kangaroo in the cast recording of Dot & the Kangaroo Jr.
- Currently touring nationally in the lead role of Alice in Cirque Alice, a circus-theatre production.
Speaking to the Newcastle Herald, Schillert expressed her excitement about the carols but echoed the nation's heartache. "It was so cool to perform in Singapore... But, like so many others, I can't stop thinking about what happened at Bondi last week. It's so horrible," she said.
A Community Rallies Together
This year marks the 43rd Carols in the Domain and a significant new chapter, with The Salvation Army becoming the event's official naming partner for the first time. Hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington of Sunrise emphasised the event's renewed significance. "After such a deeply challenging time... this year's event feels more important than ever," Barr said. Shirvington added that the carols would be a "powerful symbol of resilience" for a city that rallies together.
The lineup features a mix of Australian icons, including:
- The Wiggles
- Kate Miller-Heidke
- Leo Sayer
- Hugh Sheridan
- Marcia Hines
- Wingham country music star James Johnston
Schillert will perform a Disney-inspired medley during the broadcast. The Salvation Army's Carols in the Domain airs live on the Seven Network and 7plus on Saturday from 8pm, offering a night of familiar Christmas warmth alongside heartfelt tribute.
