Congratulations to the Niu Valley Middle School Concert Band, which received a GOLD rating at the 2019 Australian International Music Festival July 3-11 in Sydney! Under the direction of both Mr. Wayne Fanning and Mr. Zachary Morita, our students performed at these spectacular venues: the Sydney Opera House, Maritime Museum, and the Conservatorium of Music and the Concourse. They were among 37 dance, choir, and instrumental ensembles from all over the world, including Guam, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Performers were predominantly youths ranging in age from elementary to college student, but with adults as part of some community ensembles.
With the support of an incredible parent team of chaperones, Mr. Fanning and Mr. Morita provided our students with a once in a lifetime experience. Our students also participated in a cultural exchange with students from La Salle College, actually a school serving grades 9-12 from Perth, rehearsing in a combined ensemble of 166 students on the Conservatorium stage.
Our NVMS students experienced “going on tour” performing four times during the festival. They were flexible and resilient during challenging moments, strengthened their relationships with one another, and had lots of fun learning and visiting new places in another country. It was a full schedule with rehearsals and performances as well as sightseeing built in to the itinerary — Bondi Beach, Sydney Tower, Taronga Zoo, Aquarium, and the Rocks were just a few of the highlights.
Thanks to Mr. Fanning and Mr. Morita for their leadership and inspiration for our young artists. Our Lancers were true ambassadors of the Aloha spirit and represented Hawaii and our school well, both on and off the stage. Click here to watch a video from their Sydney Opera House Performance.
Way to go Lancers!!