Presented by Stockland, a short documentary about FiddleSticks! and the premiere performance is now available to watch!

FiddleSticks! is an exciting partnership between Stockland, Sydney Youth Orchestras and Prairiewood High School. Contemporary Australian composer Holly Harrison worked closely with elective music students from years 8-11 in an intensive workshop program throughout Term 3. Using junk percussion, found objects and improvisation excercises, Holly sculpted a piece based on the rhythmic and melodic ideas of students.  Everyday items are repurposed into musical instruments: buckets, sandpaper blocks, sports whistles, squeaky-toys, homemade rice shakers and a megaphone. Holly aimed to write a piece which would reflect the fun, outgoing and eclectic personalities of the students she had worked with at PHS.

The percussion was paired with SYO's Sinfonietta under the guidance of conductor Heloise Meisel. In a series of rehearsals and with a team of supportive staff, including SYO percussionist and concerto Competition winner Stuart Rynn, students combined to present FiddleSticks!