By BELINDA PARKES
CHORAL speaking is one of the lesser-known categories at the Murwillumbah Festival of Performing Arts, but Bilambil Public School students are well versed in the craft.
Every student at the school has been practising for their eisteddfod performances next Tuesday and Bilambil is the only public school to have entered into every speaking choir category they are eligible.
The school’s principal Julian Mostert said choral speaking was a skill that would help students in their learning, as well as in later life.
“Talking and listening is a very important component of English and literature,” he said.
“It supports students who have different ways of learning.”
Mr Mostert said having to work together taught children discipline and team spirit while performing in front of an audience was good for self-confidence.
Constant exposure to standing up and speaking in front of others helped prepare students for expectations that would be placed on them in the workplace, he said.
“Every child needs to experience success in some way, and many will not get success in the traditional forms such as sport, the arts or academic excellence,” Mr Mostert said.
“Entering the eisteddfod is not about winning a competition, it is about giving students a really positive experience. They will get a real buzz out of it.
“At this school, we are conscious of trying to provide children with the opportunity to have experiences they may not otherwise have had.
“It is just a piece in the jigsaw puzzle of preparing kids for wider life experiences.”
The Speech and Drama section opens the 82nd annual Murwillumbah Festival of Performing Arts today (13 June) and runs until 18 June.
The music categories take place from 20 – 27 June and dance from 29 June – 11 July.
When the event began in 1923, it ran over about three days, now, 82 years later, it takes almost a month to hear and see all the competitors.
The festival is held in the Murwillumbah Civic Centre on Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah.
