Boys and girls from Cobar Public School and Cobar High School sang up a storm last week in Baradine at the Moorambilla Voices residential camps.
Seven primary boys, 10 primary girls, and 19 high school students from Cobar created music, dance moves and played percussion with taiko (Japanese instruments).
At the same time, a brand new set of 24 taiko drums made in Australia arrived into Baradine.
Made by TaikoDrumWorks, a company based in Tathra on the South Coast of NSW, the drums are the only commercially made taiko in Australia.
They were funded by the NSW Government through the Community Partnerships program and will inspire and encourage young people across the North West region of NSW to enjoy, play and write music.
The drums will be located in three cells in high schools in Lightning Ridge, Cobar and Coonabarabran to inspire the children to explore and play music.
Some children were experiencing the magic for the first time, and all of them loved the chance to discover the power of their imagination.
For many, this is the only time they get the chance to express themselves through dance, how to read music and sing in a choir, and are maybe lucky enough to sing or dance in one of the smaller groups.
Artistic Director Michelle Leonard OAM, originally from Coonamble, is fired up about the talented children this year.
“These kids are busting to sing about new music and we’re keeping them on their toes,” she said.
Michelle and her team of artists, choreographers and lantern makers are shaping the 2017 Gala Concert next month in Dubbo.
The performance will bring to life stories of the night sky, mountains and trees of the ancient landscape around Gundabooka National Park near Bourke.
