As a fierce sun finally fades, hundreds of people dance in the darkness, stars swirling above.
This is not the Burning Man festival but an outdoor end of year school concert in Byron Bay last week.
A couple feel the sensual pleasure of a simple Cuban salsa move. Not in a Havana nightclub off the Malecón, but a small hall in Mullumbimby.
A community choir sing a civil-rights gospel classic in four-part harmony. Its not Birmingham Alabama, but Bangalow, every Wednesday.
You get the idea.
As Echo readers already know, there’s an embarrassment of musical riches in the Northern Rivers. Not just the big annual for-profit events, but a cornucopia of small musical connections that help make the magic of this place.
Right now, so many of us are weighed down by the climate and housing crises, Big Tech’s assault on our souls, and myriad other miseries.
But perhaps we can collectively lighten our load. Dancing, singing, and playing more, in 2024.
Not to mindlessly forget what’s wrong in the world and how we might help fix it. But rather to bring more joy, connection, and resilience into whatever we’re doing. Hands-on, off-line.
Post-Covid recovery
Part of the work I’ve been privileged to do this year, is help regenerate the school band program at Byron Public.
Like many schools across the region, and the world, in Byron, Covid restrictions hurled a wrecking ball at the school’s long-established bands.
But recovery is well underway. From none, two years ago, in 2024 there’ll likely be three bands back at Byron, with up to 60 children learning instruments.
Not only drums and bass, but flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, and saxophones.
The program is run with strong support from the P&C, and in collaboration with the Northern Rivers Conservatorium of Music, who are helping regenerate music in other schools across the region.
It’s obvious, but worth saying out loud. When kids learn instruments, and sing, dance or play together, it can bring them immeasurable benefits. Determination, persistence, tenacity, confidence, cooperation, fun.
Plato’s quoted as saying, ‘I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but more importantly music; for in the patterns of music and all the arts, are the keys to learning’.
Apart from educational benefits, learning how to play music with others is a passport to a lifetime of pleasure.
Now of course we don’t need a philosopher, a neurobiologist or a columnist to tell us music can be good for us.
Anyone who’s ever been a choir member will know the joy that comes from singing in harmony with others, a form of musical connection carrying great power and potential. In the Northern Rivers, and across the country, choirs help build inclusive communities. In South Africa, and other nations, song helped sponsor revolution.
Diligence, determination
A musical pathway is clearly not always free of potholes. Moving through the squeaks and squawks of being a beginner requires doggedness and diligence in practising a new instrument. Support and encouragement from loved ones are also invaluable, rather than disparaging asides.
I found being a beginner learning tango difficult and sometimes excruciating, both for me and for whoever had the misfortune of trying to follow my dodgy lead.
But then, one day about 18 months after I started classes, something shifted, dramatically.
I will never forget that first moment on the dance floor when I felt I was flying, not flailing.
After a decade-long absence I’ve just returned to tango and can reliably report the body memory is mostly intact.
And more good news: one of the area’s top tango teachers is about to restart classes, another sign of our post-Covid recovery.
Horns, hopes
‘Pick up the dusty old horn and give it a blow’ is that famous line in Gillian Welch’s anthemic alt-country classic ‘Hard Times’.
For me, Welch is urging us to rehabilitate that old instrument we used to play at school.
To find those old dance shoes we used to wear and give them a polish. To seek out that community choir we’ve always imagined we might join.
The outcome, as Welch hopes: ‘Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind, no more.’
And let’s not forget it’s just a month or so until Survival Day, which brings another hope.
That we may again enjoy the song and dance that’s been made in this place for tens of thousands of years.
♦ Wannabe tango dancer, reliable rhythm guitarist and intermittent chorister, Ray Moynihan is currently Bands Coordinator at Byron Bay Public School.
