High school musical collaboration

Narrabri and Wee Waa high school students collaborated last week at an impromptu music workshop.

Experienced Higher School Certificate music teacher Madeleine O’Connor is visiting Narrabri during the school holidays and her relative David Pierce, who also happens to be the Narrabri High School’s community liaison officer, kindly organised for Miss O’Connor to meet with local students at the Country University Centre last week.

Miss O’Connor offered the group of Year 12 students advice on how to best present their talents for their HSC music exams.

Some students performed for Miss O’Connor and others played recordings of their musical work so she could offer individual tips and constructive feedback.

“It was very informative and gave an insight into how to improve our performance,” said Year 12 Wee Waa High School student Alice Haire.

Alice is a vocalist and she said one of her favourite things about being a singer is collaborating with other musicians.

“I really like the variety in music that can be enjoyed and performed by lots of different types of people.”

Alice said the COVID-19 pandemic did pose some challenges for Year 12 students but said she was grateful to all her teachers for their support during this challenging time.

Year 12 Narrabri High School student and vocalist Lillia Schlack also attended the meeting and said she really valued Miss O’Connor’s guidance.

“It’s been very educational. It’s helped a lot with knowing what to do with myself when performing – I do jazz pieces so they’ve got a smooth feel to them. I can’t just be standing still and singing into a microphone.”

Lillia said that her mum, Mary Whitehouse, along with singer and former Narrabri music teacher Julie Fawcett, sparked her love of singing.

“It’s a lot of fun, I like the feeling of ensembles and performing as a group – it just gives me a warm, happy feeling working together,” added Lillia.