HOBART YOUTH WORKSHOP WITH SKYLARK
| Type of post: | Region 34 news item |
| Sub-type: | No sub-type |
| Posted By: | Karen Phillips |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Sun, 3 Aug 2025 |
On Tuesday May 13th, Skylark quartet visited Hobart City High School. Although a bit brisk, the classroom was warm and filled with excitement as the students bustled in at 8am for what was to be a 2½ hour workshop.
Jackets were shed and Skylark entertained the group with a song, demonstrating the artform, then introduced themselves and outlined the session. Each quartet member then took a turn leading the students in warming up their voices and the air filled with rounds, clapping games and other vocal gymnastics.
Hobart City High School has a middle school vocal group, who formed the core of those present. Added to this were some drama students interested in music theatre, plus a few others who had shown interest in attending – by the end of the session, they had been recruited! Simon Reade began the group only in the last couple of years with the support of the school leadership and brought some of the students to a BHA youth workshop held at another school last year, led by Joanne Oosterhoff. This connection provided the spark for them to open their school to having a workshop ahead of the SAA convention.
With such a new group, who don’t usually sing a cappella, much of the focus was on learning how the parts went together, as well as understanding how to sing with unity in your section. Skylark chose an abridged version of A Million Dreams as the workshop song – a familiar and lovely arrangement. Being SSAA however meant singing down the octave for the male basses in the room, but luckily with Glenda there to help, some awkward voicings were adjusted on the fly. Kirsten’s baritones found their “home” as the top two parts worked together with Jo and Avril to create a strong duet. After working in sections, the song was woven back together with a couple of successful video recordings being taken for the students.
After a bit of morning tea, the students presented one of the songs they had been working on (with piano backing) and Skylark worked with the students, focusing on courageous vocalising, physical engagement with the storytelling, and learning to let go and have fun!
When Simon sent through some photos from the session, Skylark were delighted to read: “Thanks so much for the session today – the students were absolutely over the moon!”
Jackets were shed and Skylark entertained the group with a song, demonstrating the artform, then introduced themselves and outlined the session. Each quartet member then took a turn leading the students in warming up their voices and the air filled with rounds, clapping games and other vocal gymnastics.
Hobart City High School has a middle school vocal group, who formed the core of those present. Added to this were some drama students interested in music theatre, plus a few others who had shown interest in attending – by the end of the session, they had been recruited! Simon Reade began the group only in the last couple of years with the support of the school leadership and brought some of the students to a BHA youth workshop held at another school last year, led by Joanne Oosterhoff. This connection provided the spark for them to open their school to having a workshop ahead of the SAA convention.
With such a new group, who don’t usually sing a cappella, much of the focus was on learning how the parts went together, as well as understanding how to sing with unity in your section. Skylark chose an abridged version of A Million Dreams as the workshop song – a familiar and lovely arrangement. Being SSAA however meant singing down the octave for the male basses in the room, but luckily with Glenda there to help, some awkward voicings were adjusted on the fly. Kirsten’s baritones found their “home” as the top two parts worked together with Jo and Avril to create a strong duet. After working in sections, the song was woven back together with a couple of successful video recordings being taken for the students.
After a bit of morning tea, the students presented one of the songs they had been working on (with piano backing) and Skylark worked with the students, focusing on courageous vocalising, physical engagement with the storytelling, and learning to let go and have fun!
When Simon sent through some photos from the session, Skylark were delighted to read: “Thanks so much for the session today – the students were absolutely over the moon!”
