MUSICAL foundations have been laid down under the roof of a Wodonga slab hut for the past decade.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Children’s music program Musikids moved to the Gateway Island studio in January 2007.
Musikids owner Kathryn Pyle said she was thrilled to reach the decade-long milestone at the studio.
Having started teaching music at Corowa in 2001, Ms Pyle offered the Musikids program to Albury-Wodonga, Wangaratta and Corowa from a mobile studio in 2004-2006.
“We’ve been in the hut 10 years this month and start our 11th year next month,” she said.
Six original Musikids students and their parents returned to the slab hut on Wednesday to reflect on the milestone.
Mum to Jack Woodman, 15, Kate Woodman said Musikids laid down good foundations for young people in life and music.
Xavier High School Albury student Jack, who participated in Musikids from age three to nine and had piano tuition too, continued to busk fortnightly at the Albury Wodonga Farmers’ Market at Gateway Village.
A Victory Lutheran College teacher, Ms Woodman said teachers saw the benefits of students who had done music.
“It gives them that edge and it stretches them in another way,” she said.
“It also shows them the importance of the arts.”
Mum to two former Musikids Grace, 15, and Laura Trebley, 13, Helen Trebley said she originally chose Musikids for its social interaction because her daughters didn’t attend childcare.
“Both really enjoyed Musikids,” she said.
“Music is still Grace’s world and life; she’s studying multiple instruments.”
The Trinity Anglican College Year 10 student plays piano, clarinet, saxophone, flute and pipe organ.
Table Top’s Des and Belinda Knight took their three sons, Alex, 15, Nick, 13, and Will, 8, to Musikids during the past decade.
“Belinda loved the whole methodology of it,” Mr Knight said.
“The three boys are all still musical in their own ways.”
Mum to Charlie Cooper, 16, Stacey Cooper said her four children gained a good grounding in music.
A Scotch College student, Charlie plays the bassoon and bagpipes.
“Musikids gave them a confidence to try new things and not just music, in everything,” Ms Cooper said.
Mum to Branden Lowe, 15, Elissa Lowe said Musikids gave her son expression and structure.
“Structure is important; it was a fun program within a routine,” she said.
