THE first word from the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod judge that followed Nowra East Public School’s choral performance last week said it all.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
“Wow” was how choral adjudicator and former Australian Opera member David Foley began his appraisal of the school’s first entry in the section.
It was validation of a three-year commitment by students and teachers at the school.
The 58 students performed three songs in the unaccompanied a cappella style.
They won the Mary Clarke Memorial Trophy in the restricted section of Primary School Choral Singing.
For the students it was an experience of many firsts. It was the first time many of them had performed in the eisteddfod, the first time most had been inside the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, the first time the Mary Clark Memorial Trophy had been awarded
and the first time the school had won a choral event.
Teacher Sherri Mulhall said the school had received congratulations from around the Shoalhaven following the performance.
“One principal told me that we were the talk of the coffee shops last week,” she said.
“We have been working towards this for about three years. We started with 15 students and it has grown to more than 50.
“The support of all the staff has been fantastic, they have been very patient,” she said.
Teacher Juanita Krelle said she was very proud of the students.
“They sang songs that they wanted to sing and the judge commented on how they clearly enjoyed performing.”
