STUDENTS, parents and teachers from four different countries bonded over their shared love of music during Monday morning’s “international assembly” at Mumbulla School for Rudolf Steiner Education.
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The World-wide Wayfarers consist of students from Hokkaido in Japan, Hualien in Taiwan and Chendu in mainland China, who will be visiting the Bega Valley for two weeks under the tutelage of composer, choral conductor and music educator Judy Clingan.
“It’s about people coming together to enjoy music, and bringing the different folk music of each place together,” visiting teacher Yong Zhang said after the morning’s performance.
For most of the visitors it is their first time in Australia and Mr Zhang said the students and teachers have all been inspired by the experience.
“The children can learn from each other and be independent while being aware of others,” he said.
“It helps you learn how to keep your personality while taking care of others.
“In Eastern culture we focus on each other, but not on independent personalities - while in Western culture can focus on independent personalities and not on each other’s needs.
“The choir brings both independent personality and an understanding of each other together into a group.”
The World-wide Wayfarers will be performing their work titled Singing Mermaid at Mumbulla School on Tuesday, August 4, at 6pm and Mr Zhang is excited to share the performers’ hard work and creativity under Ms Clingan’s experienced guidance.
“Judy is so creative,” Mr Zhang explained.
“Each time we get together there are new songs with new stories.”
Also present at Monday’s assembly were visitors from Canberra, Tasmania and Australian teachers fresh from living and teaching in Turkey.
Wayfarers Australia was started in 1997 by Ms Clingan and has brought students, parents and teachers from a number of Steiner Waldorf schools in eastern Australia, encouraging teenagers and in particular teenage boys to sing choral music in soprano, alto, tenor and bass.
Her philosophy is that “anyone and everyone” has the ability to sing and that music breeds self-confidence and an understanding of others.
“Wayfarer means traveller with a purpose,” Ms Clingan said as the school’s education manager James Wishart led the assembly.
The school hall erupted with laughter as Mr Wishart presented a visiting student from Taiwan with a jar of Vegemite spread.
“Music is the language of humanity,” he told the students before the choir’s performance.
“Differences don’t matter if you are playing music together.”