It started in 2013, with a small group of interested students that learnt 6 songs throughout the year, and joined together for a small concert.
For the first 3 years, we all hosted concerts at our own schools, and then as the project grew bigger, we moved to an end of year celebration at an Italian Club.
Retirement, language change and Covid saw the three local schools struggle, but Brunswick North is still going strong!
This year we had 100 students from grades 3-6 choose to gather together once a week during lunchtime to learn 6 songs. The songs are all Italian favourites. They are also folk songs, with messages of hope, and often love. This year we sang On an Evening In Roma, Volare, That’s Amore, Sarà perché ti amo, Tintarella di luna, and Eh, Cumpari.
After several months of practice, we then have a workshop at school where we meet the band that will play with us on the night – Roger and Gino. Both are teachers from Gladstone Secondary College, who are happy to see the connection between passion for the Italian culture at primary school and secondary school.
Roger is also my husband, and spends a lot of his time helping to play the music in rehearsals, and then on the night. Nicoletta, my daughter, also gives of her time to film and take photos of the night, so that the whole school can then see the night upon our return – this helps to encourage future CORO members! This year we even had Bianca, a Grade 6’s dad take professional photos for us. We also had our own photo booth for fun Italian themed photos.
Almost 400 hundred very happy family members and friends spent Thursday, November 3 singing and dancing at the Furlan Club in Thornbury. The gala was decorated with the artwork of the children, and there was lots of green white and red adorning the room – even the Foundation classes got involved, making streamers for us.
Older brothers and sisters who are now in secondary school also came to support the night as we sang and danced until 8pm. We danced la tarantella, and also ate generous helpings of margherita pizza.
Henry, one of our Grade 6 students, also sang Con Te Partirò, and he was introduced by his younger sister who is also in il coro.
Parents were thrilled with the night, and commented that it was such a fun and festive atmosphere. We even had grandparents come all the way form Canberra for the event!
Teacher Bruna Centofanti before the concert. (Photo: Andrew Lloyd)
I received reports of students practising in their bathrooms, and even ironing their black attire days before in preparation for the concert.
As a teacher, it is lovely seeing that there is such a desire to learn Italian, even for students that do not have Italian heritage; they have a love of language learning, and a passion for exploring Italian culture.
Music can make us all feel happy and united, and can help us gather together to celebrate language and culture. It’s a great way for students to learn about pronunciation, and it’s what motivates Italo-australians to maintain their love of their homeland.
