REGIONAL GIRLS

The Moorambilla Regional Girls Choir was started in 2007 with 85 singers representing the 8 shires surrounding Coonamble. It is expected that these 85 places will be quickly filled in 2008 with the audition process being keenly contested this year.

The selected primary school girls will meet for two Residency Camps - one in August and again in September. The Residency Camps are an opportunity for talented musical children to work with professional artists - a composer, conductor, string quartet, percussionist, and saxophonist - on the development of new Australian music.

The highlight is the performance of the works and other pieces at the Moorambilla Festival in September.

Residency camp dates      

Regional Girls Choir Camp #1                       20 - 24 August 08

Regional Choir Camp (Girls & Boys & Youth):  17 - 21 September 08

     and Moorambilla Festival

What happens at the camps?

The August and September camps are conducted at Camp Cypress located in the beautiful town of Baradine, NSW. It is located approximately 70 kms from Coonamble and is a fully equipped venue comprising cabins that were used as part of the Athletes Village at the Sydney Olympic Games.  Full dining facilities are available and the local organisers provide all catering, both at the campsite and during the day at the rehearsal venues in town.

In August, all members of the choirs will be meeting each other and the artistic staff. The focus of this camp is about creating the new works, helping the children to express their experiences musically with the composer, and learning how to sing together as a choir under a professional conductor.

As well as rehearsing as a choir there will be many opportunities for other activities on camp such as making and playing percussion instruments, bushwalks at Baradine, sport, bonfires and skit nights. There may also be opportunities to work with other artists in residence, as in past years, where the girls were involved in traditional basket weaving and lantern making. In short, lots of intensely creative and fun times for all. 

The September camp involves an intensive rehearsal process leading to the performances for Moorambilla Festival. The children’s choirs will also join with adult choirs to prepare some of the works for performance during this time. 

It is VITAL that the girls participate in both these camps so they are part of the process and final performance of their work.

See what some of the participants and supporters say about the project.