"Sacré-Coeur Association of New South Wales Inc"

Concert in KRB Chapel for Bowraville

Sunday 14th November, 2010
Kincoppal- Rose Bay Chapel

Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir (Sydney region)
and
William Barton, renowned indigenous musician
with
Pastór Lasala, organist

On Sunday 14th November the Kincoppal- Rose Bay Chapel echoed with voices ancient and new as the School and NSW Sacré Coeur Association Alumnae worked together to offer a magnificent short afternoon Concert for Bowraville- supporting the purchase of the last items for St Mary's School Bowraville "Kitchen-The Heart of the School" Project.

Taylor Jarrett, KRB Yr 12 2011, a former St Mary's pupil, welcomed us to country and the KRB Year 2 Choir, directed by Ann Henrich sang a delightful song in Gumbaynggirr, the language of Bowraville.

The Alumnae choir was joined by senior KRB students, accompanied by Pastór de Lasala on the Puget organ and directed by Mark Stubley Their offerings were Wesley’s “Lord Lead me” and Rutter’s “May the Lord Bless you and Keep You”. Between these pieces we heard Maestro de Lasala play Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus”. The finale – from the Tribune, was a collaboration between Pastór and the renown Indigenous musician, William Barton. William’s voice seemed to call us to a new way of listening and this was echoed by Pastór’ underpinning of rich tones of Gregorian Chant. William’s mastery on the D Didgeridoo brought another voice to the improvisation where two old cultures seemed to meet half-way. The audience was spellbound, experiencing that deep listening of two musicians each to the other and everyone acknowledging something quite unique that had not been heard in that place before.

The programme ended with Lyn Williams OAM conducting the Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir (Sydney region) in joyous voice – distinctly Australian and distinctly indigenous. One of the pieces performed was “Carpet Snake Dreaming” , a song written and performed by the St Mary’s Children attending the Bowraville Camp in 2009 when Lyn ran a GNICC Workshop. Two St Mary’s children were in Sunday’s Choir.

There were Shortbread Hearts for all at the end of the Concert and a creative “Kitchen Tree” designed and produced by Alumna Jacquie Thackray and her daughters Claudia (Yr8) and Phoebe (Yr 2) encouraged those attending to make a donation towards the utensils and equipment that will complete the Kitchen. Nearly $6,000 was raised on the day- a truly magnificent result.

Many thanks to Mrs Hilary Johnston-Croke, Principal of KRB and Mrs Ros Winterton, President of the Sacré Coeur Association (NSW) and everyone who made the Concert such a success.

Photos of the concert

Click here for the Fundraising Form
If you would like to make a donation to the Fundraising for "The Kitchen - Heart of the School" project at St Mary's Bowraville., please use the above form. Thank you

Past Information:

Events in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010
Report on Bowraville from Penny Sturrock at the ASCA National Conference in May 2005