The Creating Harmony Together tour will see a group of 19 from the Nelson Bay-based community choir leave for Japan on October 11 to take part in workshops at each of the Port’s sister cities, Kushiro, Yugawara and Tateyama, plus three major and six pop-up concerts in art galleries and museums.

“An enormous amount of work has gone into preparing a repertoire for what is shaping up to be a very busy tour,” SeaSide Singers president Jeanette Antrum said.

To support the tour, the Australian Government’s Australia-Japan Foundation, overseen by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has awarded the choir a $20,000 grant.

In addition strengthening the Port’s bonds with its sister cities, the tour will promote Australia.

News of the grant was announced at a farewell function for the group of departing SeaSide Singers and their music director, Ellery Durrant, at Soldiers Point Bowling Club on October 2.

“This most welcome grant will help defray costs,” Mrs Antrum said.

While singing their way across Japan, Mrs Antrum said the choir would perform in concert with Japanese choirs and will hold workshops to teach each other songs they will present at the concerts.

One of these songs, Morning Tide, is a traditional Aboriginal melody, arranged by Stephen Leek and inspired by the musical tradition of the Torres Strait Islander people.

“Our music director has included a mix of songs by Australian and Japanese composers and the choir will sing these in the original languages,” Mrs Antrum said.

“Traditional melodies such as Waltzing Matilda and Kojo no Tsuki (Moon at the Ruined Castle) are also featured.”

Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee, celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year, helped facilitate the visit, which includes two days’ home stay accommodation to give the choristers a feel for the Japanese way of life.

Many have never been to Japan before.

A highlight will be a performance at the famous Hakone Venetian Glass Museum, not far from Yugawara.