Harmony Week sings in schools

Fijian musician Andrea Kirwin has spent the past week teaching and working with Tagai students across several campuses, including Ugar and Dauan, for this year’s Harmony Week.

Waybeni Buway

Ngurpay Mudh Head of Campus Rick Cass said Andrea had also worked with members of Tagai Children’s choir, who will perform with Andrea at Waybeni Buway’s Harmony Concert on Friday afternoon and again at the Harmony Night free community event at ANZAC Park on Saturday.

“Our choir and Year 2 teacher, Jade Bligh, travelled out to Warraber with Andrea to work with their choir leader and Head of Campus, Natalie Van Zyl,” Rick said.

“I can’t wait to hear what they – the kids and their music mentors – created together this weekend at our two big concerts.”

Andrea said it was a privilege to be there.

“What an absolute privilege it is to have visited Ugar and Dauan school campuses today,” she said.

“The children were so eager to listen and learn, and now they know how to write their own original songs.

“I hope the Harmony Week workshops inspire them to be creative musically, as so many of them had natural talent and can already sing and dance.

“It was such a pleasure teaching them and sharing stories and songs from my Fijian heritage, including Chulu Chululu

“The children kept asking when I was coming back.

“Hopefully I can return again and hear the songs they’ve written,

I’m sure they will be great.”

Rick said they were thrilled to have Andrea for the week.

“Connecting people and generating joy and happiness is such a big part of Harmony Week for me, and the theme Everyone Belongs I just know will be a strong thread in the songs and music that will be created over next week or so,” Rick said.

“I hope as many people come out to watch Andrea perform here on TI, and for those communities lucky enough to catch her this week and next, we hope you come away with a little extra love in your hearts from being a part of Harmony Week.”