SWAN Hill Harmony Day is set to make a musical mark this year after the committee received $21,566 in funding to support local Harmony Day celebrations.
The Federal Government invested $700,000 across 19 projects as part of its Festivals Australia program to support regional and remote festivals with an emphasis on music, dance, theatre, literature and visual arts.
Swan Hill’s Harmony Day committee applied for the funding with a view to bring the community together through the use of musical instruments made from recycled materials.
The committee plans to incorporate multicultural sounds and rhythms into this year’s event and bring the whole community together to play in harmony.
Harmony Day committee chairperson Joelle Whiting said part of the funding would be used to engage world-renowned artist and leader of Noise Orchestra, Graeme Leak.
“Graeme will be spending a few days here in February with the committee to plan with us, and from that he will return in March to conduct workshops in our schools and community,” she said.
“It will be a train the trainer type of workshop where those who attend can take the knowledge back to their own groups and teach others how to make instruments from recycled materials.
“Everyone will then learn to play one song and at the Harmony Day event on April 5, everyone will join together to play it as a whole community orchestra.”
Noise Orchestra is a rhythm workshop that invites anyone to join in the experience of playing in a drumming and percussion ensemble regardless of experience levels.
The idea to bring it to Swan Hill was developed by Harmony Day committee member Ute Schwaibold.
She hopes to share her own love of music across all cultural backgrounds within the community to create the Harmony Day Band.
She suggested a variety of household items that could be repurposed into musical instruments.
“We are looking for donations of plastic drums, bottles, pipes, empty roles or packaging and basically anything that might make a musical sound,” Ms Schwaibold said.
“We are hoping to highlight some of the sounds that are specific to different cultural groups and come together for one performance to celebrate diversity in a safe and inclusive way.”
Harmony Day in Swan Hill is a free event held at Riverside Park and is organised and ran by volunteers.
The committee is calling out to anyone who is eager to assist through volunteering, donating materials, taking part in workshops or holding a stall or activity at the event to contact them via their Facebook page.
The committee has 20 members and anyone who wanted to be a part of Harmony Day could do so in a way that suited them.
“We would love to have people from all cultural backgrounds involved,” Mrs Whiting said.
“Harmony Day has been a rich celebration in Swan Hill with many different cultures celebrated, including German, Mauritian, Indian, First Nations People, Australian, Fijian, French, African, Korean and many more.
“Every culture is welcome, including all ages and abilities.”
Mrs Whiting also said any music performers were welcome to take part in the celebration and encouraged them to reach out to express their interest in performing on the day.
“We will have a range of musical activities including dance, costume and instrument playing,” Mrs Whiting said.
“There will also be an array of different foods, costumes and activities on offer.
“Harmony Day is a great way for all community to come together to celebrate diversity and we are open to hearing all ideas.”
Arts Minister Tony Burke said the program was supporting community cultural events to tell Australian stories.
“Right now, festivals are going through real challenges and need our support, that’s why the Albanese Labor Government is proud to deliver this next round of funding,” he said.
Senator Jana Stewart said the program would have a major impact in the community.
“Swan Hill is such a vibrant and welcoming community, it’s where I grew up,” she said.
“I’m so proud to see Swan Hill Community Harmony Day being recognised.”
To register your interest, email shhd@gmail.com.
To find out more about Graeme Leaks Noise Orchestra projects visit www.graemeleak.com/noise-orchestra.
