Why Jess Mauboy and Mitch Tambo sing from same song book

Jessica Mauboy and Mitch Tambo are singing the same tune when it comes to the power of music to change kids’ lives – here’s why.

Belting out a favourite tune with your buddies can achieve much more than lifting the group mood, says multi-talented First Nations musician and dancer Mitch Tambo.

Passionate about the power of lyricism in learning, in particular the survival and teaching of First Nations languages, the proud Gamilaraay man calls music “amazing” for lifelong literacy.

Mitch Tambo is a proud Gamilaraay man and passionate about the survival and mainstream use of First Nations languages and believes that music is fundamental to literacy. Picture: Supplied

“When we’re talking about literacy, the repetitive nature of certain hooks in songs, melodies and riffs, they become these things called earworms,” Tambo says. “They’re little hooks: you walk away from that lesson, you’re singing this melody and (it’s) full of all this information. Even though you didn’t think you retained it, you actually did through the power of song.”

Mitch Tambo, centre, with members of Burn the Floor, Lily Cornish, Julian Caillon, Lyu Masuda and Jorja. Picture: supplied/Burn the Floor

Music helps children “navigate their way through certain things in their life”, he says, adding:

“(Music) can help kids with speech impediments, stuttering and … their educational journey. Being a First Nations person, a lot of our law, our culture, our protocol is gifted and passed down through the concept of song.”

The father of four – in Sydney from Melbourne this weekend performing in Walanbaa Yulu-Gi with world-renowned dance company Burn the Floor – says music has a “fundamental” role to play in education.

Mitch Tambo and the cast of Burn the Floor are performing three shows in Sydney this weekend. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Nicki Connolly

“Music can step up by people using it as a tool to educate kids and draw kids into that learning experience around language and other fundamental practices,” Tambo says.

“Through lyrics in particular, you can gift someone certain elements of … not only their language but their identity(,) and I think when someone has a stronger idea of their identity and sense of self, the foundational roots are planted nice and firm.

“Someone’s more likely to make positive choices because they’ve got a more centralised idea around self-love and self-awareness. I think language and lyric … is just so, so very important.

“In my household … it’s just innate, it’s the fundamental foundation of how we teach and pass on knowledge to our children.”

Indigenous Literacy Foundation Ambassador Jess Mauboy will appear in a livestream from the Sydney Opera House for Indigenous Literacy Day on September 6. Picture: supplied/Indigenous Literacy Foundation

From earworm to bookworm could also be a catchcry for the forthcoming Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD) on September 6, when performers including Indigenous Literacy Foundation ambassadors Jessica Mauboy, Justine Clarke and Josh Pyke will join children from Barunga Remote Community School in the first ever ILD livestream from the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Indigenous Literacy Foundation ambassador Justine Clarke pictured with Barunga kids who wrote a song with the help of Clarke called Shordi Krik (Shorty Creek), which they will perform at the Sydney Opera House. Picture: supplied/Indigenous Literacy Foundation

“For me, literacy is enhanced through the power of music,” Mauboy says. “I communicate, share stories and emotions through my music, and this has been reinforced throughout my life – it was very much part of my childhood.”

Reigning champion in the Years 3-4 category of the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee, Joanne Lee is pictured in Canberra meeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as part of her prize. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Joanne Lee, one of reigning champions of the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee, says she engages with language and story through music too.

“Sometimes when I listen to music, there are words that I don’t know … so I search (them) up or ask my parents and I think that helps,” the Year 5 super speller says. “(Having a story in the song) makes it more interesting and makes you want to listen to more.”

National champions in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee win a trip to Canberra to meet the PM as well as other great prizes for themselves and their school. The school round is on now until 5pm AEST Friday 18 August at spelling-bee.com.au

The school round of the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee is on now until 5pm AEST, Friday 18 August at spelling-bee.com.au – national champions win a trip to Canberra to meet the PM as well as other great prizes for themselves and their school.

SEE MITCH TAMBO AND BURN THE FLOOR IN WALANBAA YULU-GI – SYDNEY

Enmore Theatre, Newtown: Friday 11 August

The Joan, Penrith: Saturday 12 August

The Concourse, Chatswood: Sunday 13 August

Originally published as Why Jess Mauboy and Mitch Tambo sing from same song book