As part of the 120 years anniversary of Alliance Francaise Sydney, The Ozy Youth Choir Honouring Defence Services, Inc, was invited by Marie Gittard to perform songs, including La Marseillaise, and tell their story. Would you guess that this group of young Australian ladies learnt La Marseillaise just the day before and perform it without a fault and in a very clear French? Did you know also they performed at the Invictus Games last year? In addition, they went also to a French tour (Rouen) to sing to the memory of their grandfathers, veterans and family members who fought in France alongside French soldiers during WWI.
OJ Rushton, leading online choir specialist & Co-Founder, Vice-President & Creative Director of The Ozy Youth Choir Honouring Defense Services, Inc, had trained the singers via Skype sessions from all across Australian regional areas and these young people actually came from far away to perform in Sydney CBD. Thanks to Rhonda Vanzella OAM, Co-Founder and President of The Ozy Youth Choir Honouring Defense Services, Inc, and President NSW War Widows Guild for her strong belief system that is founded in personal sacrifice and idealism – of farming, small business, families and the importance of communities, this youth had the opportunity to perform at numerous Peace Projects held at the Australian War Memorial, Bondi Beach, NSW Government House, Wagga Wagga and Adelaide.
The Consul General of France, Anne Boillon, attended the concert and mentioned that initiatives like The Ozy Youth Choir Honouring Defense Services, Inc and Monash museum are reminding us how we cannot live history again, how we must show again that life died in trenches and these names are not virtual; they are real. French and Australians fought aside. These are reminders of hardship and friendship.
To support this important cause go to https://www.ozyyouthchoir.org/france2020.html and click on the Donate button.
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