Kids’ choir fronts First Nations focus

A NEW youth choir specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children enjoyed their first session on Wednesday.

Slated as the first of its kind in Ballarat, the group called Binma Winda is an initiative of therapeutic arts venture Red Tree Community Arts whose program director Maegan Boundey is lead of the choir.

“This is to give local First Nations kids an opportunity to sing together and be part of a choir that’s focused on culture,” she said.

“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to sing in choirs as a kid and the way that benefited me has really carried me through my life. I want First Nations kids to have that same opportunity.”

Each choir session will take place at Trades Hall on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7pm with participation open to First Nations children aged from prep to year 12 and costing $5 per person.

Boundey aims to host an end of year concert for the choir with the potential for intimate end of semester performances.

She said the repertoire will be a celebration of culture.

“We’re going to do some of the well-known songs like Inanay Capuana and things like Taba Naba which is one people might know off The Wiggles which is a Torres Strait Island song,” she said.

“I’ve been looking at all sorts of Indigenous artists like Dan Sultan, Jessica Mauboy, Archie Roach, to celebrate the Indigenous artists that are so successful and for kids to be inspired by them.”

Binma Winda means “red tree” in Badimaia language.

A Yamatji and Badimaia woman herself, Boundey said Binma Winda aims to provide an artistic avenue of support for First Nations young people.

“This is sort of my way of giving back to the community,” she said. “I felt like singing in choirs helped me have the skills and confidence to pursue music in my adult life.

“Playing gigs and doing that within the First Nations community as well, the support they can provide to each other is incredible.

“I was involved in Blak Stage [open mic] and there’s so many of us that love music and have the talent, why not give that to kids as well.”