Pupils enjoy music workshops outside of the box

QUEENSCLIFF Primary School pupils enjoyed an action-packed day of music and cultural workshops last week, before sharing their newly learnt skills during an afternoon performance.

Organised by Boxwood Australia, 102 pupils took part in song, movement, and tin whistle workshops, and made instruments using locally found objects.

Art teacher Kate Parton said this was the first time the school had taken part in such a program with people visiting from overseas, which was exciting.

“It came about because I was talking to Chris Norman, who is the head of Boxwood and from Nova Scotia,” Ms Parton said.

“They have their annual Boxwood Festival in Queenscliff every year… and last year I went to the concert and afterwards I said to him ‘congratulations, that was a beautiful concert’, and he said next year I’d like to do something in a school, so I said maybe I can help you!

“So it’s taken 12 months to organise this.” During the day, Shelly, from America, told the “Ancient Bone Flute Story”, Rennie, who is from New Zealand, taught the tin whistle, Chris from Nova Scotia did Songs of the Sea, and Andy taught songs/rhythm and shakers.

“Children made all their shakers from scallop shells,” Ms Parton said.

“I collected the shells from the fishing boats in Queenscliff, and we painted them.”

Following on from the school day was the Boxwood Festival, a four-day immersion weekend of traditional and early music, featuring international guest tutors and participants from across Victoria.

Then a Boxwood Concert, held at Queenscliff Town Hall, was a celebration of excellent quality traditional music from Ireland, Scotland, Maritime Canada and our shared heritage.