2013 Crush Festival

by Angela · Published April 6, 2014 · Updated February 15, 2016

Our District’s Children Sharing the Love of the Performing Arts

The month of October has traditionally been, in Bundaberg, a time for showcasing The Arts, cultural experiences and events. It’s a great opportunity for local artisans to share their skills and achievements with others, as well as to be enriched by the experiences brought by mentors and productions from other places. In a region where there has been so much heartbreak and hardship since the start of this year, we are given the chance to enjoy and appreciate the many fine cultural and creative pursuits that are on offer in our area. The opportunity to participate in and, enjoy, such a wide range of events (some at little or no cost), is a pleasant interlude that is long overdue for some local people.

The range of events has been divided into categories – VISUAL, FILM, MUSIC , ART & WORDS, CHILDREN & FAMILY, THEATRE, FESTIVALS & MARKETS, WORKSHOPS. This article will focus on the MUSIC component of this year’s programme.Things to do with kids bundaberg

On October 4th, a Choral & Orchestral Bootcamp Concert was held, after participants received intense input and mentoring from reknowned and respected conductor and Music Educator, Mr Richard Gill. Mr Gill has been a Conductor in many musical fields, such as opera, musical theatre, and vocal and choral training. The Concert was held at Shalom College Performing Arts Precinct.

On Friday 11th October, the performance of the time-honoured stage Musical, “Chicago”, will open at the Playhouse Theatre, and will continue on October 12th 18th, 19th, 20th, 25th and 26th. This is a Broadway-style Musical, with singing, dancing and lots of energy. We are fortunate to have so many talented local cast members showing their skills . Some tickets are still available online at www.theplayhousetheatre.org.au , or via the Box Office at Playhouse Theatre. 4153 1904 (Contains some mature content. Parental discretion advised.)

Sunday, 13th October provides opportunities for those who appreciate church and sacred music. The Anglican Parish presents “PRAISE, PAST AND PRESENT”, as the Church’s 150 years in Bundaberg is celebrated. Each of the 3 Masses on that day will focus on a different era in the Church’s history, and will be held at Christ Church Anglican Church in Woongarra St. At 7am, the Mass will represent at form of service that has been in use since 1549. At 9.30am, the Mass will represent the future of worship – the service will feature colour, movement and music for Congregational participation. At 7pm, the Mass has a contemporary feel, representing the Church today. A special event – the “Big Note” concert will be held at 2pm on that day. Music from past and present will be featured, and the Church’s very good acoustic qualities should enhance the performances, featuring musicians and musical items with links to Bundaberg. Contact admin@bundaberganglican.org or phone 07 4151 3128 for more details.

On the same day, Sunday 13th October, from 1pm-5pm, The Group and Gin Gin Chaplaincy present, ‘A SALUTE TO THE PERFORMING ARTS”, at the RSL Hall, Milden St, Gin Gin. Singing, dancing (bush dance, clogging, ballroom dance), and playing, will all feature, with audience participation encouraged, and lots of enjoyment in store for all.

On Monday, 14th October, numerous primary school choirs and instrumental groups will be performing in the Combined Schools Concert, at the Moncrieff Theatre, from 10am till 12pm. A more detailed outline of the Concert format will be added at the end of this article.

Later in the week, on Friday 18th October, at Central Queensland University from 7.00pm-9.30pm, a performance showcasing a range of musical genres will provide great entertainment. The performance, titled “A Century of Song: Popular Music Across the Generations”, features diverse groups of performers. These are:- “Rhythms of the Reef” Women’s Acapella Group, (who sing in beautiful harmony without any accompaniment), “Makin’ Whoopee Ukulele Band”, (who have provided entertainment at a number of local functions) and choral singing from Childers-based Pilotlight Productions’ “Dream Choir”, with “Treble”. (Pilotlight Productions draws together a network of artists, performers, technicians and trainers, to form a hub of theatre and the arts.)

Because this Blog is specially written for the parents, caregivers, families and friends of Wide Bay Kids, I will focus on the activity and entertainment that is possibly the most relevant to this cohort of readers. The Combined Schools’ Concert, at the Moncrieff Theatre on Monday, 14.10.13, from 10am till 12pm, is a celebration of Music, shared by primary school students in numerous locations in the district. No doubt there will be many proud parents, caregivers, grandparents etc in the audience, as their children demonstrate the joy of singing and performing, without competitive pressure.

Music teachers at participating schools across the Bundaberg District will have prepared their choirs to sing the same selection of songs for this event. However, it is unlikely that they will have sung together, as a large combined group, with a variety of conductors, so this will be a wonderful experience for the students as well as the audience. Approximately 400 choir members, in total, will be singing during the Concert. There will be two separate groups of singers, performing on stage during different parts of the programme.

Group 1 includes:- Walkervale S S (Junior & Senior Choir), Kalkie S S (Kalkie Kids), Norville S S (Norville Voices & Norville Juniors), Woongarra S S (Senior Choir).

Group 2 includes:- Avoca S S (Avoca S S Choir), Oakwood S S (Oakwood Choir), and Choirs from Alloway S S, Moore Park S S and Bundaberg North SS.

Each group will perform a separate repertoire of songs.

Group 1 will perform:- “Downtown” (This was a hit by British singer Petula Clark in the 1960s, and the lyrics refer to the hustle and bustle of the city.) “The Call” (This was used in the movie “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”, based on a C.S. Lewis novel from the series “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. The song reminds us of the importance of memories in our lives, and it is also sung by School Choirs at School Anzac Day services.) “Why We Sing” (The students brainstormed the things they enjoyed most about singing with other students in their school choirs. In this song, they get to demonstrate those things, and to celebrate the opportunity to share the experience.) COUNT US IN – “Keep On’ “. (Students from Bundaberg schools are going to be part of Australia’s biggest school initiative, giving our students an opportunity to join with half a million others, regardless of age, ability or geographic location. It’s easy, it’s free and it builds team spirit and the students love it. It creates the nation’s biggest community of music makers, performing one song, on one day (Thursday 31st October 12:30pm Eastern Standard time) to celebrate the value of music in education. This year’s song was written by students and celebrity musician, Darren Percival together with John Foreman and is called ‘Keep On’. This song sends a message to everyone to start with a goal in life and start climbing the stairway to success.)

Group 2 will perform:- “Sway” – (This is a song full of great Latin American rhythms that really do make you want get up and sway to the music. The song was a huge hit, first for Dean Martin and more recently, for Michael Buble. Energetic people could try doing the salsa, the mambo or the cha-cha to this song.) “Child of Song” – (Most songs that we hear in our traditional Western culture have 2, 3 or 4 beats in a bar. As the world’s cultures are becoming more integrated, we are being exposed to songs and music from many different cultures. Sometimes they can have 5, 7, or even 13 beats in a bar, reflecting the different language in which they are written. “Child of Song” alternates between 5 beats and 3 beats in a bar.) “Mary Poppins” – (This medley of songs is well known and a favourite with people of all ages. Based on a children’s book written by Helen Lyndon Goff (probably better known as P.L. Travers), “Mary Poppins” became a famous 1964 Walt Disney Movie adaption starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. A more recent version was the popular Broadway musical which toured Australia only a couple of years ago). COUNT US IN – “Keep On’ “ (As mentioned in Group 1’s performance agenda, this song will be sung as part of the COUNT US IN initiative, involving school students all over Australia.)

Several smaller groups of students will be providing supporting acts whilst the large choir groups are moving and settling, during the programme. These school groups bring an interesting variety of musical genres to the Concert.

The Concert will be opened by the Kalkie State School Drumband, with a 15 minute display of rhythm and skill. This has been a well-respected group in the Bundaberg community for a considerable period of time. The Kalkie Drumband was formed in 1972, by teacher Barry Hough, for the very first Harvest Festival Parade in the Bundaberg CBD (This eventually became the Bundy in Bloom Parade). The band of 26 students from Years 4-7, is a marching band, and they perform for many public events each year. (eg ANZAC Day, Pageant of Lights etc). After this performance, the Bargara S S Ukulele Group will entertain. Learning to play the ukulele at is a relatively new and innovative trend in schools, and it is proving to be a popular instrument with music learners of all ages. The Kalkie Recorder Band may perform, if required, after Group 1 Choirs.

Before Group 2 Choirs commence performing, the Kolan South Corp of Drums will take to the stage for a 15 minute display. This group has also been in existence for a number of years. They reformed in 2004, when past Drum Major, Deane Peterson (now Drinnen), began teaching at the school. The band of 15 students from Years 5-7 perform at many public events each year. At the conclusion of Group 2’s stage performance, the Norville SS “Taiko Drums” will provide a fitting finale to the Concert programme.

I can clearly remember the joy and pride I felt at being a member of my primary school choir, back in the 1960’s. There was a stringent selection and audition process and sometimes, students who would have enjoyed the experience, actually missed out on selection. It is heartwarming to see that there are so many musical and cultural options offered to today’s children/ school students. Drama and Dance also have places in musical/ extra-curricular experiences, so that students can explore their own capabilities and creativity. It’s wonderful to see so many aspects of the Arts included in a community celebration such as CRUSH. Sometimes, we never know what we are capable of, until we experience something new.

Karl Neuenfeldt, a member of the Ukulele Group “Making Whoopee”, and two-time ARIA award-winning Music producer from Burnett Heads, sums up this thought in a quote from the CRUSH Festival programme guide:- “I enjoy community-based Music because there are many talented singers, songwriters and performers of all ages who relish the chance to present their love of music to the community. It is always a surprise and a joy to discover what they can do.”

Acknowledgements:-
Bundaberg Regional Council “ 2013 Crush Festival Programme”
Sharlene Peterson, Classroom Music Teacher, Drumband Co-ordinator, Kalkie State School (Sharlene was a great help, by sharing the Programme and Compere notes with me, prior to the event, as well as providing the background information about some instrumental groups. This gave me a much better insight into the song choices, and the points of interest pertaining to some performers.)
Face Book – CRUSH – A Bundaberg Regional Council Event
Face Book – Pilotlight Productions, Childers