Sydney Children's Choir

Behind the Scenes with the Gondwana Choirs’ Composer in Residence Program

I was the 2020/21 Composer in Residence for the Sydney Children’s Choir, in cultural partnership with the Sydney Jewish Museum. As part of this residency, I was commissioned to write a suite of choral pieces for the different choirs within the Sydney Children’s Choir umbrella, ranging in age and ability.

Crucially, the pieces had to thematically link to the subject matter explored at the Sydney Jewish Museum, which is principally focused on Holocaust education. But how to introduce children as young as 6 to such a harrowing subject?

After much research, I decided to explore the key themes of remembrance, coexistence, peace, resilience and community.

Please watch and listen below.

DEINE MAMI (‘Your Mami’) - 2021

A poem by Cecile Merel for her daughter Nelly on the occasion of her seventh birthday. Written in 1936.

Composer: Sam Weiss

Performed by The Sydney Children's Choir

Conductor: Lyn Williams AM

Piano: Sally Whitwell

Musical preparation: Hester Wright

Filming Conductor: Lachlan Massey