Donation drums up joy for class

The humble music room sometimes misses out on funding and new equipment, but lessons may become louder in 10 Kimberley schools, which have new drum kits thanks to a local arts event.

The worlds of opera and art collide each year in Broome at an innovative event, in conjunction with Broome’s longest running arts event, Opera Under The Stars. Director Mary-Attracta Connolly said since 2004, Oper-Arte has fulfilled her dream to help stir a love of music in others, particularly Kimberley students – the “musicians of the future”.

This is through the Oper-Arte exhibition’s feature artist donating a piece for auction, with proceeds buying local schools new music gear.

This year’s artist Ingrid Windram donated Boabs Under A Starry Night for auction, attracting a record $10,000 from final bidder Dean Kemp.

With help from Yamaha Australia and Broome’s Troppo Sound, Opera Under The Stars donated a Yamaha drum kit and stool to each of Broome’s six schools, the Dampier Peninsula’s three schools and La Grange Remote Community School – worth a total of $13,000.

Ms Connolly said the great result was a credit to all involved.

“It brings the total value of musical equipment donated since the inception of the ‘Oper-Arte’ auction to more than $67,000,” she said.

Mick Connolly of Troppo Sound said schools sometimes struggled to get enough good music equipment for students.

“It’s not always on the top of the tree, the old music room, so this will hopefully help get more kids involved in music,” he said.

St Mary’s College principal Michael Pepper said each school was thrilled by the generous donations.

“Our kids benefit and our teachers benefit – music is something they get so much out of,” he said.

“Especially for some of our secondary students boarding from remote communities, music is a way to connect, make friends and find out school is a great place to be.”