Young musicians: Students performing in the orchestra for charity.
A TOTAL of 1,578 students from three Sri KDU Schools recently came together to perform for charity and create history in conjunction with World Music Day.
More than 50 non-stop performances lasting close to eight hours were held at the Sri KDU Secondary School hall and broadcast live online on June 21.
Recognised by the Malaysian Book of Records for “the largest student participation in a musical marathon”, the event also raised funds for the school’s Helping Out People Everywhere (H.O.P.E.) initiative to help underprivileged children.
Sri KDU National Primary School principal Shamsiah Anverdeen said parents and teachers contributed a total of RM21,606.79, which was chanelled to some 60 children under the care of Persatuan Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Ekliptik Klang.
A mock cheque presentation to the welfare home was held on July 14.
The welfare home for physically handicapped individuals living with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, spasticity, muscular dystrophy, mild mental retardation, vision, speech and hearing impairment, has been operating for 29 years with the aim of giving less fortunate children a new lease of life.
The non-governmental organisation needs about RM50,000 a month to keep the home running and to care for the children.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and inflation, the home is facing difficult times, Shamsiah said in a press release.
Describing music as an outlet for creative expression, she added that the students spent a month practising during their structured performing arts lessons, followed by 60 hours of intense rehearsals to prepare for their performance.
Its executive principal Anthony Partington said the event presented an opportunity for all three Sri KDU Schools to collaborate.
There is no better way to work together than through music and performance, he said.
This, he added, was one of the key reasons for the event.
“The music marathon teaches children leadership, and how to organise and be part of a team.
“These skills are very important in today’s world.
“There’s a huge sense of accomplishment when people are challenged and they manage to get the work done,” he said, adding that performing arts is an important part of the schools’ learning programme.
Partington added that education is broader than academic learning and must support the holistic development of a child’s personality and real-world skills.
