DO YOU REMEMBER BEING 13?

Can you remember yourself at 13? Did you get told you were capable of mixing it with the world’s musical elite in one of the worlds most iconic venues – the Sydney Opera House? Were you bold enough to back yourself into a performance in front of more people than you had ever seen in your life on a 7-minute tech call? Then, the next night record a broadcast for ABC national going out to millions – oh and also sing in three indigenous languages, meet and greet audiences and artists pre and post gigs, and sing at Government House, Canberra? Did I mention creating and performing a new work for live-to-air television?

At 13 I was still trying to work out how to make my bed, let alone being entrusted with that
level of opportunity and responsibility. But 40 adolescents from Moorambilla Voices did that and absolutely thrived as collectively they navigated extraordinary performance environments, intense collaborations on new repertoire whilst simultaneously being outstanding cultural Ambassadors at an international level, all the while being humorous and collegial as they worked side by side with arguably the world’s finest vocal ensemble VOCES8.

Positive, hopeful and future focused. These are some of the words audience members and presenters used to describe this choir. The real question is why the surprise? It has been documented for decades , the long term positive effect on mental health, resilience and peer connection deep engagement with art embedded within a holistic cultural framework has on participants – particularly disadvantaged youth. This concert and recording tour proved that in spades to those lucky enough to bear witness first hand.

At Moorambilla we are not creating future leaders, we are enabling leaders to emerge NOW. The singers of the Moorambilla Voices high school choir – MAXed OUT are articulate, connected advocates for a shared worldview that amplifies our collective capacity as Australian cultural leaders to walk forward with inclusion and respect. They contribute as leaders – even at 13! to this national conversation by singing and creating performances that speak directly to our collective love of country and hope for a future that respects each other in the spirit of Yindyamarra. Every child deserves an opportunity to feel heard and to
grow and lead in this way.

Why can’t we give ourselves permission as a country to place the highest value on these programs and opportunities? What are we so afraid of?

Michelle

Michelle Leonard OAM, Founder and Artistic Director of Moorambilla Voices

LISTEN – to this tour on ABC CLASSIC DRIVE
WATCH – their 2023 video ‘Shape of Water’
SUPPORT – help us continue to thrive – Donate