COOLUM has been well represented lately at Eisteddfods across the region, with local school students from both primary and high school showcasing their vocal and musical abilities with high praise.

Coolum State School Senior Voices, Junior Voices and Beat Boys Choirs sang at Eisteddfods from the Sunshine Coast and up to Gympie and were amongst the 175 students who participated.

The Senior Voices Choir was awarded first place in their section at the Gympie and District Eisteddfod, and the unique boys-only choir ‘Beat Boys’ were awarded second place in their ‘Entertaining Choral Piece’ section. Both choirs performed under the direction of music teacher Roz Mackay.

Coolum State School’s youngest singers, the Junior Voices, under the direction of Sharise Russell, were awarded third place at the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod.

Coolum State High School was also well-represented at the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod earlier this month, with students participating in a wide variety of showcases ranging from saxophone solos to Junior Verse speaking, and a Chamber Strings Ensemble.

Coolum State High achieved great success with their String Orchestra under the direction of Tara Anderson and their Wind Symphony under the direction of Sharelle Guest, with both achieving first place honours in their respective sections.

The Wind Symphony was crowned A Division Champions with a near-perfect score of 99 out of a possible 100!

The high score exemplifies the dedication and persistence that conductor Sharelle Guest has been able to achieve, which is the culmination of teaching instrumental music at both Coolum Primary and High School for some thirty years.

Sharelle said that music is beneficial in aiding academic learning and helping kids thrive, and it is an amazing way to build community.

“Music is for life, and it is something I have been fortunate to pass on to my students,” Sharelle said.

Students such as Year 11 student Lucy Greenland who has stated that she would love to continue with music after high school.

Teacher Roz Mackay praised the close bond between both schools and their ability to integrate music at all junctures of a child’s education and said it was this which has led to both schools achieving success.

“We are so fortunate to have developed a strong bond between the music departments of both schools for over 20 years, and we are one of a very few primary schools on the coast in which our primary instrumental music teachers also teach at our local high school.

“We look forward to developing, guiding and inspiring many more students in the years to come.”