2012

Gondwana Choirs recognised for excellence in education!

 

At the 2012 Art Music Awards, held at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 3rd April, Gondwana Choirs was awarded the APRA/AMC Award for Excellence in Music Education. Other award winners included Nigel Westlake, Brett Dean, Andrea Keller and Peter Sculthorpe. Click here for photos of the award ceremony.

 

‘Shall we dream’ fills the Great Hall!

Gondwana Chorale performed to a full house at the Great Hall of the University of Sydney on Tuesday 3rd April. Alongside the Sydney Children’s Choir, they delighted the audience with the diverse sounds of contemporary Australian choral music.

Gondwana Chorale performed at the Four Winds Festival in Bermagui over the Easter weekend, including a collaboration with ACO2. Click here for some snapshots of the trip.

Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir

GNICC visits the north coast of NSW!

 

Following Workshops held in November 2011, we’re now looking forward to holding our first North Coast camp with approximately 30 students from the Nambucca, Macksville and Bowraville Region. The choristers will work with Sani Townson (choreographer and mentor), Conductor Dan Walker (conductor) and pianist Luke Byrne (pianist). Participants will receive a visit from elders from the Muurrbay Language Centre and learn songs in Gumbaynggirr language as well as perform with the local elders to conclude the camp at the Nambucca Entertainment Centre.

 

Choreographer and Mentor Sani Towsend with workshop participants in November 2011

 

“They’re pioneers! That’s what I always remind them because that’s what they are. They are ambassadors for their people; their professionalism and example paves the way for future opportunities being opened to other Indigenous children. Our involvement with Gondwana Choirs and all that has stemmed from it has been incredible and our lives are all the richer”.
Rubina Kimiia,
Music Teacher,
Education Queensland, Cairns

 

Known to many through their role in the Qantas Choir, the Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir (GNICC) was formed in 2008 and grew out of a collaboration between children from Sydney and communities across the Torres Strait Islands.

 

The GNICC has been a resounding success. In just two years since the Choir’s debut at World Youth Day - in front of a live audience of 250,000 and a television audience of millions - we have commissioned a new repertoire of music in Indigenous languages, performed overseas and in Australia at major arts festivals and events, and most importantly made a positive impact on the lives of over 750 Aboriginal and TSI children and their communities in Queensland, NSW, VIC and NT. The Choir is featured in the Qantas ad campaign and has sung on an episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show filmed in Sydney.

In addition to developing musical skills and expanding their horizons, choristers’ involvement in the GNICC has resulted in improved school attendance, literacy & numeracy skills, engagement with learning, resilience, respect, commitment, professionalism and enhanced self-esteem and confidence for the children involved. All GNICC programs run at completely no cost to participants, their families or communities. Our goal is to reach many more Indigenous children in this way.

 

To help us ensure the future of the Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir, simply click on this link:

 

 

Or contact Daria O’Neill, Development Manager,
02 8274 7011