Sydney choir from Barker College sing at Gallipoli for fallen school mates

FOR the valiant men buried in Ari Burnu, their constant, reassuring soundtrack has long been the lapping waves on Anzac Cove.

DAY 3. ANZAC celebrations under way in Gallipoli, Turkey for 100th anniversary. Barker private school students and the soloist singers from their choir pictured at Shrapnel Valley. L to R, Sophia Murray-Walker, Georgia Billward and Caitlin Williams.

FOR the valiant men buried in Ari Burnu, their constant, reassuring soundtrack has long been the lapping waves on Anzac Cove.

Nothing more, nothing less.

But here was a new tune; an angelic and harmonious hymn that was now washing over their graves, honouring the men who gave much.

It was the Barker College choir taking full flight, bursting into an a canella four-part harmony _ Nearer My God to Thee.

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Barker students Sophia Murray-Walker, Georgia Billyard and Caitlin Williams / Picture: Sam Ruttyn

They were singing to express their emotions, vent their heartache the best way they know. They were singing a tribute to their old boys, the 45 former students of the Sydney college whose boots trod these very shores a century ago, four never to leave.

Such sacrifice from one school is profound and made even more staggering with the realisation the then fledgling school’s population in 1915 had barely reached 100. From classroom to the cliffs of Gallipoli, whole swathes at once.

Picture: Sam Ruttyn

There are 109 students in this Barker contingent at Gallipoli this week, musicians, vocalists and history students that have been entertaining guests on-board cruise liner MSC Opera which set sail for the Anzac Commemorative Site from Venice seven days ago.

Among them is a six foot four clarinet player named Matthew Webb. His great grandfather Francis Webb was also six foot and no doubt had to work a little harder than most to duck his head under the parapet, away from the sniper’s scope. Lest he lose it.

Walking under the Trojan Pines that guard Beach Cemetery, Matt says it was humbling discovering his blood ties to the land where blood ran thick. “Being at Anzac Cove was a sombre experience. It was deep,’’ the 16-year-old said.

Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Georgia Billyard is the choir’s leading soloist. She was front and centre when the vocal chords and emotions were stretched at Ari Burnu. “Hearing all the harmonies in that beautiful place really brought it to life. Music moves you, and to be in a place that is already so sad really gets to you,’’ the 17-year-old said.

Nick Alsop doesn’t play the clarinet or sing soprano, but he knows his history. His presence here is to preach about the life and sacrifice of a Barker old boy, Francis Kane, the Cobar boy mortally wounded on May 19 and carried from the battlefield by his brother.

Student Matt Webb at Plugge's Plateau / Picture: Sam Ruttyn

He died four days later. Having absorbed such a tale of heroism and brotherly love, and many more that echo from this place, this history student is now experiencing the terra firma he had read so much about. “It’s a strange feeling being here, because I’ve been learning about Gallipoli all my life, and to finally be here is pretty special.’’

Georgia Billyard and Matt Webb / Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Originally published as Sydney choir from Barker College sing at Gallipoli for fallen school mates