AUSTRALIA 2008

Peter Kearney's Notes:
The children and I present the concert together. Here’s how it works.

In advance: In early Term 4, I send a special Practice CD taking the children through 12 songs. I also supply overhead transparencies and guide-notes booklet for teacher(s). The songs - a mixture of Australian, contemporary and traditional carols, provide a meaningful yet enjoyable program to lead people into the process of preparation, celebration and reflection on the deeper meaning of the approaching feast.

Schools usually like to involve ALL of the children in such an important occasion. From my experience with schools ranging from small to very large, I know that this inclusive goal can be achieved for instance by having two or even three concert groups presenting on the night.

On the day of the concert: I arrive at the school for morning-break and during the rest of the day I conduct workshop/ rehearsals with the children. My aim is to animate the performance of the songs. I first conduct a special session to teach a group senior children a variety of percussion and tuned percussion parts to enhance the meaning and drama of the songs. Then we are joined by the singers. I encourage the singers to dramatise the songs in simple but effective ways. In the last 30 minutes of the day we usually have a walk-through/ talk-through session so that the children will know where to move to do special percussion jobs etc.

In the evening: The concert might be held in a hall, in a Church or outdoors. The children share 'the stage ' with me throughout.   I link the program with brief reflections on the Advent/Christmas theme. The concert ends with two traditional carols. A concert beginning at 7.00pm would usually conclude at around 8.15/8.30pm

Help provided: Practice-CD, overhead transparencies, guide sheets. Consultation whenever needed in the run-up to the concert.  For the occasion itself I provide a high quality PA set-up that can cater for even the largest venue.

COST: information provided on enquiry

BOOKINGS:
Melbourne / Geelong season is booked out for 2008. Get in early for 2009.
Sydney / Wollongong / Canberra ... dates still available are December 12, 16-19
 

CONTACT: Peter Kearney Email
 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Mrs. Roslyn Fitzpatrick, Principal, St. Paul’s School, Camden writes: “After the Christmas Concert presented by Peter Kearney and our students, many notes of ‘thanks’ were sent by parents”:
“A short note just to express our thanks to you for a wonderful evening... It was evident the children had a fun time learning and singing the songs. The words to Peter’s songs gave us all the wonderful meaning of Christmas”.
“Our family, especially our son really enjoyed themselves. What a great way to commence the Christmas Spirit!”
“A truly memorable Christmas concert. Peter Kearney conveyed the true spirit of Christmas through our children singing such beautiful songs..”

Niel Carey, Principal, St. Matthew’s School, Windsor writes:
“The process of preparation in the weeks before Peter’s visit, the workshops on the day of the concert culminating in the early evening concert were an unqualified success. Parents are still talking about the quality of the evening and the way it brought us all together in a joyous celebration of Christmas and the school year”.

“One of the great benefits of the way in which the whole strategy was planned was the great burden that it took from school staff who, though highly involved, felt far less pressure than is often the case”.
 

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