Early Learning

Echidnas Community Concert

Early in the year, after a particularly rambunctious and melodic music / movement session on the stage in the Echidna room, the conversation with the children led to a discussion on how much they enjoyed performing. The word ‘Concert’ was tossed around, and I asked the children who we would like to invite. They said ‘Everyone!’.

Over the last two terms the children have selected their favourite songs and a singer or two was nominated for each song. They used the microphone connected to Mrs Missen’s ‘Rock and Rock’ amplifier from her band days and developed not only their singing skills, but their ability to sing in the microphone without eating it!

We made Australia flags from Puppy Pee Pads, Mrs Ezzy worked with the children to create beautiful Bush Hats, and we pre-recorded some of the songs at Bush Camp to promote the Australiana theme we were running with. Parents helped us with flannelette shirts and treebranches (stage props), and Mrs Bonnet brought in her entire collection of Australian soft toy animals to decorate the stage with.

We invited the Respect (Lyndoch Living) residents and the Archie Graham ‘Out and About’ bus clients, along with the Year 9 community service students who have continually encouraged the children over these last two terms by being their ‘practice’ audience.

Mrs McLeod and Liliana opened in prayer, and for the next fifty minutes, the Echidna children took the reins like the seasoned professionals they are! After the national anthem, old faves such as ‘Home Among the Gum Trees’, ‘You are my Sunshine’ and ‘Waltzing Matilda’ were sung along with by the audience, and the children included some of their funny songs like ‘Marmalade and Vegemite.’

As ‘Old Man Emu’ played, the children marched off stage to resounding applause from the audience which also included parents, friends, friends of friends, and some teachers that I noticed were watching from the auditorium doors.

It was quite the show, and to think that 4/5-year-old children can effectively run their own concert, handle microphones and speakers so naturally, and not seize up with nerves on the stage (no on stage rehearsal was held at all because of the production last week) makes me so excited about the future of this resilient, self-motivated, and independent generation!

Judi Missen

Early Learning Educator