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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-09-18 Daily Xml
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Festival of Music

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:15): The 2014 concerts of the Festival of Music are almost over. They are the annual showcase of the musical abilities of public school students from all over South Australia. This is the 118th concert series since 1891.

It is the only educational program to hold the South Australian Heritage Icon Award which is presented in association with BankSA and the National Trust. It is a joint endeavour of the South Australian Public Primary Schools Music Society and the Department of Education and Child Development, and it involves more than 230 schools represented by the 6,000 participating students, with each of the 12 concerts in the series featuring a mass choir of 450 different students accompanied by either the northern or southern orchestra of student musicians and the northern or southern performance troupe of student dancers. Additionally, six assisting solo or group assisting artists round out the tremendous night or afternoon of entertainment at Festival Theatre.

This year's souvenir program features art by Soubin Kim, a student of the Modbury West Primary School, one of the great schools in the Florey electorate. Soubin's art is also featured on the music book and the certificates awarded throughout the year. It is a marvellous achievement and I am sure many fine pieces of art were submitted for consideration for the prestigious honour.

The member for Schubert and I attended opening night and witnessed the welcome to country from Auntie Katrina Power. I have so far attended two of the concerts, each really enjoyable as music is such a great entertainment and a unifying force, and seeing students performing so well for their families on the big stage is a real treat. The proud school communities cheer and really get behind their choirs and it is a great, but no doubt nerve-racking, experience for the young performers to appear in Festival Theatre.

The Florey schools of Para Vista, East Para, Modbury West, Modbury Special, The Heights School, Modbury and Modbury South, along with Redwood Park and Ardtornish, which are both just across the road from Florey, are involved this year. Each of these schools has a Florey Music Award, something I have sponsored since my election. This is a way I can support the work of the Instrumental Music Branch, the Music Society, and Primary Schools Music Festival Team. Over the years I have come to know many of these dedicated professionals, among them Anne O'Dea, Lesley Raeside and Rachel Neale.

It was a note from Rachel, sent with my additional tickets, which brought home to me how important positive reinforcement can be because she mentioned that her son Christopher had just completed his honours in classical percussion, achieving first class, and that he was a recipient of the Florey Music Award at the end of his year 6 studies. My warmest congratulations go to Christopher along with my very best wishes for a successful career in music. I also acknowledge his parents' support and that of the efforts of every parent who has encouraged their child by providing a musical instrument, lessons and transport to and from lessons, not to mention attendance at their rehearsals and performances.

It really was not that long ago that performance skills were more highly valued than perhaps they are now because, without radio, TV and other high-tech entertainments, we relied on recitation and musical performances for our enjoyment. Just as the Muriel Matters and Lionel Logues of their day began with school elocution and music, the value of performing arts should be recognised widely and celebrated.

This year's Festival of Music program featured the specially commissioned song cycle Flight written by noted Australian composer Paul Jarman. It explored the history, science and expansion of flying, especially the pursuits of Icarus; the acclaimed jetman, Yves Rossi; and pioneer aviatrix, Nancy 'Bird' Walton. Perhaps they could have added Muriel's pioneering dirigible flight and in any case may highlight her exploits one day in a forthcoming concert. The trilogy's presentation was enhanced by the work of Patrick Jeremy and Bec Schembri's choreography.

Also featured this year is a piece called Parallel Universe by Anne McMenamin, with extra composition and arrangement by G. Lehmann. It is the story of a young boy, Danny, who is set free by flying on a trampoline. It is a great song with a great message.

More than a year's work goes into the finished concerts and I thank everyone involved—the choir conductors, accompanists, orchestra conductors, school choir leaders, principals and especially the students. It is a highlight of every year, and if you have not already attended a performance, I urge members to take advantage of either tonight or tomorrow night's concerts and join with the parents who will be filling the concert hall, otherwise we will all have to wait another whole year.

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