The ACT Primary School Choir has been rewarded for exceptional community service with a prestigious award presented by the Governor General.
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The choir was recognised with a Group Award at the Order of Australia Association Student Citizenship Awards last Thursday, and students were honoured by Sir Peter Cosgrove.
While the ensemble – made up of 70 students between years 4 and 6 – took out the National Eisteddfod earlier this year, conductor Katharine Finlayson said the award ranked as one of the band’s greatest achievements.
“It’s a very significant achievement. It’s great that the work of the children and the families that support them have been recognised,” she said.
“They’re doing things that give back to the community and we’re allowing for those opportunities to continue.”
The choir began three years ago through the ACT's Instrumental Music Program (IMP), with students from all ACT primary schools invited to audition.
Students rehearse once a week and perform at events ranging from Parliament House Open Day to Wattle Day citizenship ceremonies as well as last year’s SIDS for Kids Christmas Concert in Canberra.
Mrs Finlayson said it wasn’t just the students’ musical skills that were improving as a result of the choir.
“The feedback that I get from parents is of [their child’s] increased confidence,” she said.
“They all work very hard in rehearsals to achieve their performance outcome.”
IMP principal Naida Blackley said the choir was set up as a way for primary school students to expand their musical skills outside of school.
“Before the choir, IMP only had instrumental ensembles,” she said. “Just like there’s an ACT representative team for cricket, this is a representative team for choir.”
Auditions are already underway for next year's choir, with more than 150 students from across the territory trying out for the ensemble.
Mrs Blackley said the success of the choir during the last three years had led to a senior version for students in years 7 to 12 to be set up next year.
“We’re auditioning already so the students leaving the primary choir can continue on in their senior school years,” she said.