ADVENTURE IN SONG
IMAGINE using only your singing voice to take your audience on an emotional journey and adventure – and to achieve this when working with a group of other children you’d only just met!
Students from many of Townsville’s state primary schools were recently given this wonderful opportunity when they participated in a four- day choral workshop with visiting musician Brett Holland.
The workshop, which was organised by the Townsville District State School Music Teachers Committee, ran in the final week of school before the holidays.
Some 100 students participated from across 14 state primary schools, which included Annandale, Belgian Gardens, Cranbrook, Currajong, Heatley Primary, Hermit Park, Kirwan Primary, Magnetic Island, Oonoonba, Railway Estate, Townsville South, Weir, Willows and Wulguru.
Students visited Willows State School each day, where intensive workshops were held with Mr Holland.
Throughout the four days, students were taught important vocal skills through the performance of several songs.
Originally from North Queensland, Mr Holland has had a long career of conducting community choirs and orchestras in Brisbane, and shared his expertise with the students.
The musician has sung professionally with Opera Queensland, Opera Australia and has been a bass soloist for many works, concerts and ensembles over 20 years.
Mr Holland is in great demand as a vocal teacher, adjudicator and conductor and students were incredibly lucky to be given the chance to work with such a professional in the field. On the final day of the workshop, students performed in a showcase concert for the community.
What the students achieved in a few short days was truly amazing.
The pieces performed included Shoshone Love Song, followed by a set of three rhymes based on works by Robert Louis Stevenson – The Swing, Where Go the Boats? and The Land of Counterpane.
The concert concluded with an upbeat rendition of Australian folk song The Lachlan Tigers.