A combined mass choir performed to two sold out audiences of 400 people each on June 26 for their concert: Seven Schools Sing.
Led by choir director Roshan Tuivavalagi with the support of Waihī College music teacher Edwin Randall, kids from the following schools performed at the event: Waihī Central School, Waihī East School, Waihī Beach School, Waihī College, St Joseph’s Waihī, Waimata School and Te Wharekura o Te Waitangi o Ohinemuri.
Roshan said: “it was wonderful.. so cool to see children singing together and sounding beautiful”.
Project leader Dorette Hartley said both shows were hugely successful.
“The matinee performance was to the Year 5, 6, 7 and 8 students from all Waihī schools and the evening concert was to the community and whānau.”
According to the event programme, the concert kicked off with a karakia and welcoming, followed by music from the mass choir and Waihī College band.
There was also some poetry reading and crowd participation for a performance called Mango.
The evening ended with the collective singing Te Aroha.
“Feedback from the community was overwhelmingly positive with many acknowledging that this was a great opportunity for a diverse range of students to try something new, follow a passion and shine doing something they love,” Dorette said.
The organisers thanked Waihī College for providing the venue and space for rehearsals, principals and staff of all seven schools for supporting the initiative and making it possible for tamariki to participate.
They also thanked the guest performers and three key people – Roshan, Edwin and Dorette.
