Concerts in Dubbo today and tomorrow afternoon from a unique choir

Be prepared to be moved and amazed by the passion and creativity of Australia’s rural children and youth when over 300 children perform alongside professional ensembles and musicians in a beautiful weekend of concerts at Dubbo Regional Theatre on September 23 and 24.

Over the last month, children from across the country, from Dubbo to Lightning Ridge, Bourke to Coolah and this year from Queensland and Western Australia, have attended residential camps and are now practising at home on their farms and in remote towns.

Artistic Director Michelle Leonard OAM, originally from Coonamble, is fired up about the talented children in the concert this year, and the incredible quality of the artistic partners. “These children are busting to have the chance to sing and dance about the landscape and stories that surround them, and it shows in these concerts.”

Professional composers, musicians, singers, choreographers and visual artists are again of the highest calibre in Australia, and have drawn on the physical and spiritual landscape of Mt Gunderbooka to celebrate its connection to Mt Grenfell and the historic Brewarrina Fish traps in regional NSW. This year's concert also features digital artists from the region, plus magnificent fire sculptures and lanterns under the night sky after the Saturday evening concert.

The events also feature the launch of the Moorambilla CD Yindyamarra: A Christmas Celebration. 

Moorambilla Gala Concert 2017 features these leading Australian artists:

• Three Moorambilla Voices choirs, including MAXed OUT Company high school ensemble

• Composers Kevin Barker, Patrick Baker, Josephine Gibson from Sydney Conservatorium Music

 • Taikoz, one of Australia’s most versatile music percussion ensembles

• The Song Company, Australia’s premiere vocal ensemble 

• Australian World Orchestra players forming a chamber orchestra including the next generation of vibrant players, with accompanist Ben Burton

• Choreography by Queensland Ballet Schools education executive Jacob Williams, originally from Dubbo, with Tainga Savage, a 2017 dance intern.

• Lantern artworks made by Jyllie Jackson, founder and artistic director of the Lismore Lantern Parade, with Sara Tinning

• Photographer Noni Carroll 

• Resident visual artist Phoebe Maroulis

• Textiles by Western Australian artist Roslyn Sullivan

• Phil Relf fire sculpture artist

• Roger Lock and Max Lambert: outdoor sound composers

Saturday September 23 at 4pm Dubbo Regional Theatre.

September 23 at 7pm at Dubbo Regional Theatre, plus a lantern parade, plus fire sculptures in the park outside the theatre at approximately 8.30pm.

And on Sunday September 24 a concert at 11am at Dubbo Regional Theatre.