Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir with DENNI: Songs of Country

This moving performance will bring together the voices and cultures of two First Nations communities from opposite ends of the continent – Gimuy/Cairns and Lutruwita/Tasmania- to celebrate story, language, music, and place.

Hailing from Gimuy/Cairns, the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir is one of Australia’s most celebrated ensembles of young Indigenous performers. Under Lyn Williams AM’s leadership, the choir is renowned for its rich, vibrant sound and for championing new choral works in First Nations languages developed in close collaboration with cultural custodians. Many of these songs have been captured in stunning films made on Country, and during this performance, live renditions will be accompanied by these evocative visuals, immersing audiences in the relationship between stories, song, and place.

The aim is to show the relationship between stories, language, music, and Country, celebrating this proud First Nation culture. — Lyn Williams AM.

For most of these school-aged performers, this will be their first time in Tasmania – and in such a climate – making this visit all the more special. A small number of the singers are also part of Marliya, the choir’s acclaimed ‘big sister’ ensemble, who we were lucky enough to have perform their celebrated song cycle, Spinifex Gum, at Festival of Voices 2024.

This unique concert also features Lutruwita’s own Madam pakana – DENNI. As a multidisciplinary artist and proud truwulway woman, DENNI is known for her bold storytelling and genre-defying sound. DENNI will share her own songs and join the choir in collaboration.

Songs of Country is more than a concert – it celebrates the resilience, culture, and stories of proud First Nation communities.