More than 1,800 student performers took part in the performing arts showcase, which was watched by over 6,000 audience members. Children, ranging from Pre-Primary through to Year 6, performed four times across the three-day festival for parents, teachers and other students.

This year, the Prep School’s iMove Bboy Crew and Percussion Ensemble collaborated to present ‘His Story’ – a dance and live music performance based on an early American theme celebrating the land and its people. Champion Bboy artist Edit choreographed the ‘Cowboys and Indians’ inspired dance with a musical score composed by Christ Church percussion specialist Steve Richter. Edit, who runs bboy workshops through the Prep School’s extra-curricular iMove Physical Theatre Club, has been teaching hip hop at Christ Church for the past four years.

The performance, including fabulous costuming and brightly coloured tee-pees made by parent volunteers, gave many of the boys their first taste of performing on a grand scale with professional lights, sound and multiple performances. Mr Wright said the boys thrived on performing on a big stage. “It was wonderful to see them really enjoying themselves in front of the large and enthusiastic audiences,” he said.

The performance was directed by Cultural Studies teacher Angela Perry with Percussion Ensemble co-ordinated by Prep School music teacher Sarah Seaman and Mr Richter. Ms Seaman said the musicians loved playing their new instruments, the cajon drums, which were bought specially for the performance. “The drums, which look like boxes, made great sounds ranging from the clops of horses’ hooves to a shimmering buzz for the solo in the breakdancing,” Ms Seaman said.