School holiday songs can tell cool stories

JUSTIN Hayward, Ballarat singer, lyricist and teacher doesn’t agree that lyrics are the hardest part of a song.

He believes every child is a natural lyricist.

A children’s workshop exploring the art of storytelling through song will be presented by Mr Hayward and Sarah Van de Wouw, Eureka Centre education officer, at the Centre during the winter school holidays.

“Many times, as a teacher, I wish I had written down a simple statement a child had made because it was poetic and honest and interesting or even poignant,” he said.

“I think this Songcraft Workshop is a great opportunity to get those [types of] lines down.”

The day-long workshop kicks off with creating the instruments on which the kids will play their song. During the morning Mr Hayward and Ms Van de Wouw will work with the six to 13 year olds on making percussion instruments.

“Percussion is wonderful in a large group and really drives a song a long,” said Mr Hayward.

“Our aim is to make musically something quite simplistic, in some way like the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine which is easy to sing along.”

The second half of the day will focus on song writing and the workshop will also cater for older children who may already have musical experience by looking at lyrical content in a more sophisticated way.

“We have the flexibility to deal with different age groups and capabilities on the day,” he said.

Themes for the song writing will reflect some of the values of the Eureka Centre, such as the issue of fairness, justice and inclusiveness to see what inspires in the young songwriters.

The children will perform their songs, on their self-made instruments, at a 3.45pm performance for their family and friends just before the conclusion of the workshop.

The Songcraft Workshop is at the Eureka Centre, 102 Stawell Street Ballarat on Monday, 1 July from 10am-4pm.

Tickets for the workshop are $55 (plus booking fee) including all materials and food throughout the day and are available online at eventbrite.com.au/e/songcraft-with-justin-haywardtickets-63032601207.