Only way is up: Butterfly Music’s Andrew Chinn at St Augustine’s College last week during a concert to celebrate the delivery of his musical program to primary section students of the college.
A pair of golden microphones on the Brigidine Centre stage at St Augustine’s College were a sign of the importance that Andrew Chinn places on the value of music in schools.
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Children of all ages were huddled around the microphones on the stage at the college concert, that was inspired by the man behind Butterfly Music.
His boundless energy and interaction with the students and parents that had assembled for the concert created an amazing environment, which will no doubt result in some students adopting music as an ongoing passion.
The college already has a strong musical sense through its choir and Mr Chinn’s involvement in its program can only enhance that future.
He has been recording Christian music for children (and some for adults, too) for use in Religious Education and liturgy since 2000.
After ending a 20-year-carer in primary school teaching at Sydney catholic schools he started Butterfly music and has since toured the world delivering lessons of faith through music.
“I’ve had the opportunity to visit over 1000 catholic schools around Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada and the Cook Islands in the past 20 years,” Mr Chinn said.
“Butterfly Music is music of faith and fun for children. As Christians, the butterfly offers that powerful image of new life.”
He said as teachers the analogy of the butterfly was often used in describing the development of students, comparing the caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly to the growth of students in a learning environment.
Mr Chinn has released 12 albums, five DVDs and six picture books, which are used widely by teachers and catechists in the faith development of children. In recent years he has developed the Butterfly House, an online RE Resource.
During this term, years 5 and 6 students at the college will also be participating in and rehearsing for the Festival of the Sacred.
Students explore the elements of performing arts; music, drama and dance for the performance,working with the talented tutors from the Australian School of Performing Arts (ASPA).
Recently the college students had their second rehearsal and participated with full enthusiasm, their final performance on June 14 at the Kyabram Sports and Entertainment Centre.
Tickets are free, but need to be booked with more information available from the college.
Blue, Pink and Ranbow: Anika Ratcliffe, Milla Gould and Maddison Old reflect the colourful nature of the Butterfly Music concert that was full of smiles and laughter from teachers, students and parents alike.
Golden voices: Elsie Stevens (left) and Ayla Elliott wait to be counted in for the chorus of a song that was among many delivered by Andrew Chinn and the St Augustine’s students at the Butterfly Music Concert.
Smile for the camera: Mia Boylan’s attention was caught by the Free Press camera while she was performing at the college concert.
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