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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-23 Daily Xml
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FESTIVAL OF MUSIC

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:18): Speaking on the importance of education and the work of teachers, I draw the attention of the house to the success of this year's Festival of Music and a series of concerts that concluded at the Festival Theatre on Friday 18 September. The 2009 festival marked the 111th series and the 118th year of operation of the South Australian Public Primary Schools Music Society. The executive board president, Rob Harkin, and all involved are to be congratulated. Reading through the program notes, I see Suzanne Rogers acts as manager for the board and the Primary Schools Music Festival team, and she obviously does a very good job at both roles. Each member of her team has put in a great effort. I particularly mention Anne O'Dea, who teaches in the Florey electorate, for her commitment to the production of the concerts and also the students at Modbury West School.

Some of the statistics involved are detailed at the front of the program and are quite staggering. The Festival of Music is a South Australian Heritage Icon, as awarded by the Bank of South Australia in association with the National Trust of South Australia. It is a joint presentation of the South Australian Public (Primary) Schools Music Society and the Department of Education and Children's Services. The annual concert series is the culmination of a choral music education program, as well as a celebration of the excellence of music education in public schools. The Adelaide Festival of Music is conducted over 12 performances, each with different choristers and young performers. In total, over 230 schools are represented with more than 6,000 students involved.

Each concert features a mass choir of 455 primary students from participating public schools across the state, and anyone who has seen the serviettes at the conclusion knows how colourful that is. It is also accompanied by an orchestra of primary school students and supported by a primary performance troupe. There are a couple of orchestras and they take turns at backing the musical items each evening; and each of those orchestras does a marvellous job under a different conductor.

Students participating in the festival are trained at their schools by teachers who are supported by staff from the Primary Schools' Music Festival Support Service. In addition, each concert showcases six outstanding assisting artists drawn from DECS' schools across the state. This year there was a special collaboration with the Australian composer and musician John Schumann. The Festival of Music presented his 'Remember Me' as a tribute to the perseverance and achievements of John McDouall Stuart, a little recognised South Australian explorer. The music was enhanced by a dramatic performance from one of the performance troupes.

It was also interesting to see the kids get excited by singing Nutbush City Limits at the end. They think it is a new song but, of course, many of us in this place did know the words.

The Hon. L. Stevens interjecting:

Ms BEDFORD: Exactly. I was able to attend several of the performances because, unfortunately, choirs from the Florey electorate performed on different nights and therefore I would have had to attend seven times. Students from Modbury West, Wandana, Modbury South and Modbury Special School, Modbury Primary, East Para Primary, Para Vista and The Heights each sang on different nights and did a great job. I know that they did themselves, their schools and their parents proud, and I congratulate all involved on giving the students such a wonderful opportunity to perform in a truly great theatre.

Several students also had the opportunity to be showcased in different items and they did a great job. I do not think there was any sign of nerves at all—and in a full auditorium that is a pretty good effort. Another musical opportunity exists for students through the Instrumental Music Service's winter concerts and the music camps that happen during the summer. The winter concerts showcase the work of the Primary Schools Guitar Ensemble, the Primary Schools Wind Ensemble, the Primary Schools Percussion Ensemble and the Primary Schools String Orchestra.

Unfortunately, I was not able to go this year, but last year was a tremendous concert and not to be missed if members have the chance. I have spoken on both the concerts before so I will not go into full details here, except to say how wonderful it is that music plays such a prominent role in the lives of so many young people in this state. Music is a gift for life, and I see this in the example of the contribution of Mark Smith, Musical Director for the South Australian Police Rangers Youth Band, of which I am patron.

He is also involved in music camps as a tutor and recently won his section in the brass band competitions held in New South Wales at Easter. Whilst there he was also competing with the Kensington and Norwood Spring Gully Band, which is one of the state's premier brass bands. Members can see that you can make music not only your life but also bring an enormous amount of pleasure to people. He is continuing to work with students throughout the state, and I have great admiration for him.

He has worked not only with school students but also in the South Australian Police Rangers Youth Band, which gives young people the opportunity to continue their music after they have left school and before, perhaps, they manage to get jobs in symphony orchestras, which is very difficult to achieve. All in all, I commend the festival to the house. My colleagues who went obviously enjoyed the night. Those who did not attend will have the chance next year on at least 12 occasions to pop along and hear some of the great work being done by music teachers in this state.

Time expired.

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