Gondwana Choirs to perform on Indigenous Literacy Day, 3 September

Young singers from Campbelltown Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir and Sydney Children’s Choir will perform at Indigenous Literacy Day celebrations at the Sydney Opera House, Wednesday 3 September. 

Indigenous Literacy Day is a national event that aims to raise vital funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation's programs, including book supply, community publishing and early literacy book packs and translations, in remote communities across Australia.  

The two songs to be performed include: Dreaming in the Sky by Paul Jarman, an imaginative musical journey, which uses the constellations of the natural world as a metaphor for diversity of human culture; and Out There by Dan Walker, a confident expression of contemporary regional Australia, originally written for the Moorambilla boys choirs in regional NSW.

In 2010, Gondwana Choirs received the City of Sydney’s Cultural and Creative Services Award for the success of its artistic programs, community outreach and efforts to provide equity of access to a first class music education.  In it received the 2012 APRA/AMC Award for Excellence in Music Education. 

Lyn Williams OAM founded both Sydney Children’s Choir in 1989 and Gondwana Voices in 1997. Lyn established a successful collaboration between SCC and children from across the Torres Strait Islands and from this Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir (GNICC) was created and now comprises hubs in Cairns and Campbelltown. Gondwana National Indigenous Choirs are generously supported by their principal partner, Rio Tinto. For this event they will be conducted by Elizabeth Vierboom

Since its establishment, GNICC has reached over 1,600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, their families and greater communities through its program of community outreach in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory. In July this year Lyn brought all three of Gondwana Choirs’ groups - Sydney Children’s Choir, Gondwana Chorale and Gondwana National Indigenous Choir - together to perform with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for the world premiere of Jandamarra – Sing for the Country, by composer Paul Stanhope.

Indigenous Literacy Day celebrations will be launched at 10.15am and include performances by Tiwi College Senior Girls' class; ILF ambassadors including Alison Lester, Samuel Watson and Andy Griffiths.

• Posted 24 August, 2014