Hear songs from the Torres Strait

THE Boîte Schools Chorus will be in town this weekend performing songs from the Torres Strait.

The Boîte is a multicultural music organisation which aims to create opportunities to perform culturally diverse music.

Part of the group is the Schools Chorus which is an un-auditioned choir project involving 9000 students since 2004 in performances across Victoria.

Each year the choir focuses on a different theme, and this year it is music from the Torres Strait Islands.

“We write the show, record all the vocal parts and make sheet music and lyrics and then schools and community groups sign up to be involved and we go around to teach it,” said choir director Stella Savy.

“Then we come together to do a performance.”

It is hoped students will gain a better understanding of the purpose of the songs and the movements which accompany them.

“From my perspective, it’s our culture and we stand up everywhere and say Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander everyday, but we just don’t know enough about their culture and their songs,” said Savy.

“It’s fantastic for kids to learn about this culture through the lens of singing some fun songs and putting on a performance.”

Savy, who is an experienced choir conductor, said teaching children songs is knowledge they will have for the rest of their lives.

“I just think that when you use the lens of music and culture, that’s when kids really do get a true understanding,” she said.

“A performance like this will stay with a child for the rest of their life and they will always remember the songs.”

She encouraged any schools or organisations who may like to get involved with future projects to get in contact.

The choir will be performing on Saturday 26 August at 2pm at Mount Clear Secondary College and to book tickets visit bit.ly/3EaCfyZ.