Performance strikes chord
REGION’S PRIMARY SCHOOLS COME TOGETHER FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
More than 600 students from across Greater Shepparton converged at Eastbank Centre to sing their way to harmony yesterday.
The Song Room program co-ordinator Lena Mitchell said this was the second year Toolamba, Tatura, Lemnos, Zeerust, Bourchier St, Mooroopna North, Kialla West, Rushworth, Guthrie St primary schools and Goulburn Valley Grammar had come together to perform at the Shepparton InterHarmony Festival.
Ms Mitchell said The School Room along with The Fairley Foundation, Rosie Kids Foundation, and Pratt Foundation helped students from small schools learn about music.
She said music education was important for students as it helped them emotionally and encouraged them to attend school regularly.
Students who had never performed before were able to gain some experience as more than 800 people watched on as they performed a variety of blues and pop songs.
‘‘It’s fantastic and they all performed like professionals,’’ she said. ‘‘A lot of them are really proud to be performing compositions they’d written themselves.’’
Ms Mitchell said Goulburn Valley Grammar students performed after lunch to show younger students that learning music could continue into secondary college.
A professional band then performed to demonstrate to students where a career in music could take them.