A celebration of music showcasing the talents of hundreds of music students was held recently at Ballajura Community College.

The annual Ballandjarra Choirfest is one of the highlights of the year for the school community in the Ballajura area. Now in its seventh year, Choirfest is hosted annually by the College.

Choirfest features music students from the College and local intake primary schools, including Alinjarra, Ballajura and Illawarra, together with South Ballajura Primary School’s Signing Club and Drumming Club.

Each year special guests are also invited to perform. This year featured pianist Elise Campione, accompanied by singer Bonita Holthaus. The pair performed two songs, ‘Hello’ by Adele and ‘Isn’t she lovely’ by Stevie Wonder. Miss Campione is a former BCC student who graduated in 2013 and is currently studying contemporary music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

The main performance began and ended with all schools together on stage for the All Schools Chorus, led by All Schools Choir Leader Asha Goves, Performing Arts Specialist from Ballajura Primary School.

Ms Goves said she had been involved with Choirfest for five years and she loved it.

 “We have such a great time,” she said. “With Choirfest there is none of the pressure of competition – it is just for the joy of singing.

“I think the audience really enjoys the performances too. When the choirs are smiling and having a good time, then the audience can’t help but smile with us.”

All the schools looked impressive on stage with their synchronised movements and bright choir uniforms.

The audience was fascinated by the performance of South Ballajura Signing Club and the South Ballajura Drumming club. They were spellbound by the strong voices and enthusiasm of Ballajura Primary School and Alinjarra Primary School choirs. Illawarra Primary School featured the beautiful clear voices of two students who led their choir for the song Hallelujah.

BCC’s Intermediate Bands’ creative performance included various metal and plastic bins as percussion instruments and BCC’s choir, the Ballatonix, entertained with their beautiful three part harmonies.

As the host school, it was also an opportunity for BCC music students to be involved, setting up and operating the sound system, providing the Master of Ceremonies and backstage operations.