Developed in the hills, the song ‘Bells of Peace’ – along with the Federation Bells – rang out at Birrarung Marr for the International Day of Peace on Thursday 21 September.
The Dandenong Ranges Music Council (DRMC) took centre stage, as students from Tecoma Primary, Belgrave South Primary, Kallista Primary, Upwey High School and members of Vocallista, Tecoma Peace Choir and Southgate Singers, combined in a massed choir, singing the ‘Bells of Peace’.
The song was originally developed in 2015 through workshops with students from primary schools in the Yarra Ranges, with professional community music artist John Shortis.
In 2017, funding from Creative Victoria has supported the creative development of the song by choral arranger Kate Sadler and bells composer Karen Berger.
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Arron Wood, officially welcomed the choir and audience to the performance for the International Day of Peace.
“The City of Melbourne is proud to support events such as this, and the work of the Dandenong Ranges Music Council to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace within and among all nations and people through music,” he said.
“It’s so wonderful to hear our magnificent Federation Bells ringing out this song straight from the creative of minds of our young students. Music is a wonderful way to teach children about the past and inspire them to lead the way for a peaceful future.”
Mayor of the Yarra Ranges, Cr Noel Cliff, was overjoyed with the performance and opportunity for Yarra Ranges to take centre stage in the City of Melbourne.
“The Bells of Peace song has reached new heights with the beautiful choral harmonies and bells composition,” he said.
Chair of the Dandenong Ranges Music Council, Ray Yates, said it was an exceptional day for community music and the DRMC.
He highlighted the involvement in the choir of students from the 2015 project, ‘with our creative young people a confidence in our future blossoms’.
At the end of the song, the bells of St Paul’s Cathedral rang out to carry the message of peace far and wide.
