Arts & Culture

Music students delight Storytime audience

Published: 24 Mar 2021 12:03pm

Students from the Riverina Conservatorium of Music (RCM) performed for youngsters this week at Wagga Wagga City Library’s popular Storytime.

The primary school-aged students performed two self-composed scores to accompany a reading of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and The Magic Hat by Mem Fox.

Children with instruments looking at a baby — **MEET THE MUSIC:** A young Storytime patron is introduced to the RCM musicians.

Dr Harold Gretton, Head of Strings at the RCM, suggested the collaboration to the library after being part of a similar performance while working in Germany.

“I was working at the Stuttgarter Musikschule, which is the Stuttgart Municipal Music School,” Dr Gretton said.

“We performed in accompaniment to book readings at the Stadtbücherei Möhringen, the local public library. It was a great success, so I was excited to bring the idea to Wagga Wagga.

“We’re thrilled the library embraced the idea straight away. It’s important our students get as many opportunities to perform publicly as possible and performing for children younger than themselves helped our students focus on the enjoyment they were giving, rather than their own nerves. Seeing all those happy faces in the audience gave our students a great confidence boost.”

Children play instruments in library to audience of parents and toddlers — **COMBINED PERFORMANCE:** RCM students performed two self-composed scores to accompany the Storytime readings.

Acting Manager Library Services Christine Bolton said the library had given the RCM a short list of books to choose from.

“The RCM students chose Where the Wild Things Are and The Magic Hat, and the scores they wrote for each story were a lovely addition to the readings,” Ms Bolton said.

“Our Programs Officer Wendy Harper had a couple of practice runs with the RCM students before the day, which showed in today’s beautiful combined performance.

“We were thoroughly delighted to be able to provide this wonderful opportunity to our young local musicians and to also add a live music element to our Storytime. It’s been so successful we’re planning to repeat this collaboration each term.”

Storytime is free, held at 10am and 11am each Wednesday and Friday during school terms. Bookings are essential.

Find out more at waggalibrary.com.au/kids-and-teens/storytime