Crescendo Students Light Up the Stage in Kwinana
19.08.2024
On Friday 9 August, WASO’s Crescendo students from Medina Primary School and North Parmelia Primary School came together to display their musical skills in their first ever Combined Schools Concert at Koorliny Arts Centre in Kwinana.
Students from both schools joined forces for a performance that was attended by family members, local seniors and WASO Giving Circle members, and left the audience grinning from ear to ear. For many of the students, this was their first opportunity to perform publicly and showcase what they’ve learnt in the Crescendo classroom.
The only program of its kind in WA, Crescendo offers free music education at two Kwinana primary schools every week to deliver almost 2000 music lessons throughout the school year from Lead Crescendo Teacher Lauren Fraser, Musicianship Teaching Artists Naomi Capon and Stuart Liang, Violin Teaching Artists Momo Foord and Daniel Tsang, and Cello Teaching Artist Stephanie Fraser.
Opening the show, the Combined String Ensemble (made up of Year 5 and 6 students from both schools) took to the stage to perform a toe-tapping rendition of Broadway or Bust. Students from the Advanced Combined Year 6 Ensemble then wowed the crowd with Cap’ Jack’s Hornpipe, featuring solos from Charlize Rowell, Austin Jordan, Maddison Skelton and Kaisjah Tuhakaraina.
As the string players made their exit to enthusiastic applause, the stage was filled with the smiling faces of the Year 4 to 6 Combined Schools Choir. These students volunteer their time weekly to rehearse and learn more about music. The excitement was clear – both on stage and in the audience – as the students performed I Just Can’t Wait to be King (featuring soloists Alex Evans and Phoebe-May Ricetti), Siyahamba and Try Everything. They even sang in three-part harmony!
“We are proud to work with these incredible students every week, and it is truly such an honour to see them grow as musicians and as wonderful humans.” – Lauren Fraser, Lead Crescendo Teacher
We acknowledge the Crescendo program is supported by The Balnaves Foundation (Lead Partner of Crescendo), Feilman Foundation, The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Tianqi Lithium Australia, The Bunning Family, The Crescendo Giving Circle, and The Government of Western Australia, Department of Education – Instrumental Music School Services.