The Armadale District Hall was full to the brim last week as junior primary schoolers united to lift their hearts in song.
Students from Clifton Hills, Armadale, Neerigen Brook and Marri Grove Primary Schools combined voices in the annual Junior Dale Fest.
The local choral spectacular is a legacy event from the state electorate of Dale, which was abolished in 1989.
The festival however, persevered.
Successive generations of voices have now participated in this long-standing tradition of community school singing.
Each participating school presents their own prepared choral items, before all students join forces in a colossal combined choir to take on four age-appropriate and fun songs.
Armadale Primary School music teacher and one of the event organisers Bree Hartley said students sang two songs in Noongar language: Nidja Noongar Boodja Koort, and Wanjoo: the Welcome song.
They also tackled a golden oldie rock medley ‘Blue Moon/ Do You Wanna Dance’, before finishing strong with a fun number: ‘If I Were Not At School Today’.
“It was exciting for the students to watch the other schools sing their songs. And they loved the buzz that comes from singing together in a large group,” Ms Hartley said.
“But it was only a small one this year, with only four schools participating.
“We’d love more local schools to be involved next year.”
Ms Hartley said it is a rewarding experience for the students involved, and that small school singing groups were welcome to participate next year.
The Senior Dale Fest will be held on Tuesday, June 25, at the Armadale District Hall.
Photographs – Richard Polden
