Two weeks, five countries, seven performances and some of the best food ever tasted, was the how five Gloucester High School (GHS) students experienced the recent school holidays.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nina Samson, Grace Forrester, Liam Chester, Mauatua Barff and Hanu Barff travelled with 177 people in three buses through Austria, Germany the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. They were singing as part of the West of the Divide Wind and Vocal Ensemble; a group of high school students from schools west of the Great Divide.
There was one bus for the choir, one bus for the orchestra and another for the support people, including family. The Gloucester singers were invited to join the choir, after taking part in a vocal camp at Lake Keepit, near Tamworth. The opportunity came, thanks to their GHS music teacher Judy Ingram, letting them know about the camp.
What a way to tour Europe of the first time; singing in churches, cathedrals and palaces.
Some of their favourite things about the trip were;
“I had three favourite things; watching the opera (La Traviata, Prague), the workshops and all the people we met,” Grace said.
“I loved performing in the Salzburg Dom (Cathedral). It was so big, had five organs and a really long sound delay,” Mauatua laughed. The singers could hear themselves singing after they had finished.
“I’d like to think we saw the best and worst of Europe. By worst, I mean, our visit to the concentration camp (Duchau, Germany); with the best, being things like going to the opera and a jazz concert. It was a good balance,” Hanu explained.
“For me, it was performing while knowing we were in Europe and all the people we met along the way,” Liam shared.
“I really enjoyed the two workshops with the music maestros; geniuses, so full of knowledge. Even though one didn’t speak English very well, it showed me that music is an international language,” Nina said.
During the 18 months leading up to the tour, the students performed at many venues, worked at markets and barbecues around Gloucester, as part of their fundraising efforts to make this trip possible.
As a thank you for all the support, they will be holding a free concert for the community on Saturday, November 12 from 7pm in the GHS Hall. During the concert, they will present a slide show from the tour, video footage of their performances and perform live.
“All five of these young people are dedicated music students, who continue to keep up their studies in other subjects, as well as being shining lights in the music classes.
“I’m proud to have taught them all and I would like to congratulate them for their dedication, hard work and for the absolute enthusiasm, which they always manage to convey to every task that they undertake,” Judy Ingram said.
As for the future for these students; the world is their oyster.
Hanu is currently completing his Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams. He has applied to the University of Newcastle for the Theatre and Perforamce for Drama course with aspirations auditioning for the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and working in musical theatre.
Grace, currently in year 9, also wants a career in musical theatre, with plans to keep performing in musicals, both inside and outside of school.
Mauatua, who is in her first year of high school, will continue to singing. Her plans after school involve literature, perhaps writing.
Liam and Nina are in year 10 and both are unsure of their plans after school. So far, Liam hopes his future involves music and singing. Nina is thinking about studying neuroscience and music, to see how music effects the brain.
“Nina, Liam, Hanu, Mauatua and Grace, you’re a credit to your families, your school and to the Gloucester Community,” Ms Ingram said.