ORANGE school students sing “beautifully, naturally, know what they’re singing about and don’t sound like mass-produced rock stars,” according to nationally-acclaimed conductor and music educator Richard Gill.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than 800 Orange choir and band students from 10 schools got the rare opportunity to learn from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra education program’s artistic director during workshops held at various locations in the city last week.
Mr Gill, who is extremely passionate about music education, held the first workshop with years 3 and 4 singers on Wednesday to help them refine their techniques and performances, and said the quality of students reflected on the standard of their music teachers.
“All education relies on music. Fundamental to music is listening, all music education relies students to listen,” Mr Gill said.
“If children aren’t listening, they’re not learning. Music teaches them how to listen at a high level.”
The combined effort that brought Mr Gill to Orange was led by Orange Christian School music tuition administrator Bill Moxey, who, along with the school’s creative arts and community relations coordinator Peter Cooper and Orange Regional Conservatorium music director Donna Riles, began to gather the support of teachers from the district’s schools over 12 months ago.
“I’m hoping it will excite the children. I hope they’ll take away the passion from someone so dedicated to music and music education,” Mr Cooper said.
“It just goes to show there was no reluctance amongst the schools to get involved, because I think they realise that there are so many talented musicians in Orange who could really benefit from a man like that.”
alexandra.king@fairfaxmedia.com.au