By Mike CrooksTuesday 20 Aug 2024MusicReading Time: 3 minutes
A NSW Government initiative is making dreams come true for schoolboys across the state.
Key Points:
- The Boys Vocal Program is an annual three-day music program involving dozens of students, including those at risk.
- 150 students from 51 schools participated in the program led by Sydney choir director Stuart Davis this year.
- The vocal group is for anyone who is interested in music, and students are not required to audition.
- If you are a teacher or student and wish to apply to the Boys Vocal Group, visit here.
The Boys Vocal Program, run by the Department of Education’s Arts Unit, is an annual three-day music program involving dozens of students, including those at risk, from year 5 through to year 12.
And they’ve just released their song for 2024.
Titled “Follow Your Dreams”, the ensemble track was composed by one of the schoolboys in the program.
The Boys Vocal Program is an annual three-day music program involving dozens of students, including those at risk.
“This program is particularly suitable for high school boys who are looking to explore ways of engaging with the music industry,” arts initiatives and events officer Catherine Gilholme said.
“I always cry”
The program is led by Sydney choir director Stuart Davis at Trackdown Studios in Moore Park’s Entertainment Quarter.
An Arts Unit spokesperson told Hope 103.2 that there were 150 students in this year’s program, from 51 schools.
During the program, students work on vocal techniques and ensemble singing, while learning to sing the original composition. Some also play an instrument on the track.
On the final day of the program, students become recording artists in the studio. They record the song, and an accompanying music video is also produced.
“Every year the boys blow me away,” Mr Davis told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“It’s always the highlight of my working year. I always cry when I see the video.”
The Boys Vocal Program, run by the Department of Education’s Arts Unit. Photos supplied by The Arts Unit and used with permission.
“Amazing”
“Follow Your Dreams” composer Ocean Lim, who attends Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School, called the process “amazing”.
He said his composition was about aspiring to follow your passion, while not caring about what others think.
Some of the lyrics of “Follow Your Dreams” include:
150 students from 51 schools participated in the program led by Sydney choir director Stuart Davis this year.
My journey starts from now
I’m gonna reach for my goal
Follow your dreams
No matter what people say
“It’s a very encouraging message,” he said.
“And I just want that [message] to reach out to everyone.”
Everyone’s welcome
The vocal group is for anyone who is interested in music, and students are not required to audition. Some of the students come from the most disadvantaged public schools in Sydney.
“For the selection process, all are welcome,” the spokesperson told Hope 103.2.
“No previous experience with music is needed.”
Over the three days, the program helps foster social connections between boys who might be interested in a career in the arts.
The vocal group is for anyone who is interested in music, and students are not required to audition.
“It’s sometimes quite emotional to see what happens over those three days,” Mr Davis said of last year’s program.
“I’ve seen kids turn up on their own and you’ll see them out there having lunch, looking around, and by the third day they’re part of some group that’s surrounding the guitar and they’re rocking out.”
Further, the group engages boys who might not be interested in other activities, such as sport, offering them an opportunity to find a similar “tribe of boys”, Mr Davis said.
Next song
The program is now hunting for its next young composer, encouraging students to submit a composition on the website.
If you are a teacher or student and wish to apply to the Boys Vocal Group, visit here.
Article supplied with thanks to Michael Crooks. Michael is a senior journalist and former news editor of Who magazine. His work has appeared in People, Marie Claire, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, news.com.au, Qantas magazine, QantasLink Spirit, Who and The New Daily.
All images supplied by The Arts Unit and used with permission.