On Monday 9th September, around 400 school children from all around the Canowindra district filed into the Canowindra Services Club Auditorium for an exciting performance of Taiko Drumming by Taikoz.
Sponsored by Musica Viva and Canowindra Baroquefest this program, now running annually affords students the opportunity to engage in a variety of musical experiences they would not otherwise have the opportunity to see. This is particularly the case for the many small schools in the area.
Running a centralised performance in Canowindra and paying for the buses to bring children from centres such as Lyndhurst, Mandurama, Carcoar, Cudal, Cargo, Woodstock, Wyangala Dam, Gooloogong and even Greenethorpe, Baroquefest is providing a structure where by the children at these schools can join with others making a group big enough to justify.
Taiko drumming is a Japanese tradition that goes back to the 6th century. Taiko can refer to different styles of drums but the form that has inspired the revival in recent times tends to be the bigger ones. It’s all about rhythm but it’s not just good to listen to, it is great to watch, very physical, quite strenuous and really exciting.
Canowindra Baroquefest understands the importance of music education for every child and so budgets each year to enhance the work of Musica Viva by organising these concerts, and the teaching programs that go with them at a central venue.
It’s a co-operative plan that works well, the children love it, learn by it and widen their musical experience for life long enjoyment of music.