Topology entertain and educate Southern Downs students with Granite Belt Strings Festival

Students from across the Southern Downs put on a show when they took part in the Granite Belt Strings Festival. Find out how their performance went here.

Strings students learning techniques ahead of their final performance. Photo: Ballandean SS/Shane Anderson.

The musical talent of students across the Southern Downs was on display at this year’s Granite Belt Strings Festival.

Now in its second year, two-day event hosted six schools from around the region and this year included students from Texas State School, again run by Brisbane’s award-winning arts organisation Topology.

State government funding for the strings program was only granted towards the end of 2020, thanks to the unrelenting efforts of strings teachers from St Joseph’s State School and Stanthorpe State School who banded together to get the ball rolling.

St Joseph’s State School and Glen Aplin State School strings teacher Maple Edgerton said the workshops were a success and the participation and efforts of the students involved was fantastic.

Beginner students learning the ways of storytelling through sound. Photo: Ballandean SS/Shane Anderson

“Sometimes having to handle a room full of 40 students can be a bit of a battle, but these students were all engaged and their reaction was great,” Mrs Edgerton said.

“Our beginners group had only started lessons at the beginning of the year, so to be participating in such a large ensemble in their second term is quite an achievement.”

Topology regional projects officer for the Southern and Western Downs Annabel Cleeve said the number of participants in this year’s program had dramatically increased.

“Last year was our first year conducting the program and we had about 60 participants, with a total of 104 participants this year. Unfortunately, we did have some students who couldn’t attend,” Mrs Cleeve said.

Strings students participating in creative workshops ahead of their final performance. Photo: Ballandean SS/Shane Anderson

“The students really enjoy it because it’s something fun and they get to make loud noises.

“The beginners did a storytelling workshop this year where they learned how to make different sounds with their strings, and then got to perform the sounds through story.”

Mrs Cleeve said the best part about providing the workshops to regional schools was the buzz of being able to give those schools the opportunity to work with professionals.

“Topology never visits a place once, we visit several times and it really shows in the relationships we’ve built with not only the students, but their families and teachers when we come back each year,” she said.

Next year the regional creative workshop group is hoping to receive additional funding for the string program, to allow inclusion of schools from the wider Southern Downs region.