Candace Kruger is a Yugambeh yarabilgingan (songwoman), music educator, composer, author and a proud Kombumerri and Ngughi Aboriginal woman. Candace actively researches songs and narratives of the Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim regions – Yugambeh country. As an educator with a Bachelor of Arts Music, Graduate Diploma of Education and Master of Arts Research qualification,
Candace has presented and shared her knowledge with Education Queensland teachers for Professional Development, the Australian Society for Music Education (QLD) and Musica Viva workshops, and is currently working alongside AMEB to develop Aboriginal songlines to share with the nation. As a regional expert in the field of Yugambeh song, Candace is working toward completing her PhD at Griffith University. She is the Director of the Yugambeh Youth Choir.
ABOUT AMEB For over 100 years AMEB has been the leading provider of examination services for music, speech and drama, more recently adding dance and performance. They develop high quality syllabuses, publications and educational services for teachers, examiners and students and foster a community of people who love music and the performing arts in all forms. Bernard Depasquale has been CEO of the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) for over 10 years. Under Bernard's leadership, AMEB has been transformed into an organisation that is leading music examining into the digital age. He has also been responsible for the expansion of AMEB internationally, taking AMEB first to NZ and more recently to Vietnam. Original artwork drawn by Isobella Kruger and graphic designed by Paula Nihot.
Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) has launched its third Online Orchestra national music project. They have commissioned a very special piece of music for the 2021 Online Orchestra: Morning Star and Evening Star written by Candace Kruger, a Kombumerri – Ngugi yarrabilgingun (songwoman) and Indigenous ethnomusicologist from south-east Queensland, with co-writers Lann Levinge and Isobella Kruger. The song is based on an Aboriginal lullaby sung to her Aunty Lottie Levinge, who, decades later, shared it with her family. ‘Lottie’s wish was to have Morning Star and Evening Star passed on and shared, so I am delighted that through the Yugambeh Youth Aboriginal Corporation’s partnership with the Australian Music Examinations Board, we can fulfil this request.
Alongside my cousin Lann Levinge, my daughter Isobella Kruger and Blessed by our Elders, we hope that through the Morning Star and Evening Star songline people enjoy learning the narrative of our people’. Thousands of Australians learned a new instrument or improved their playing in lockdown and Covid so this is a perfect project to sign up for. Instrumentalists and singers everywhere are invited to join the biggest virtual orchestra in Australia and to start preparing their entry for submission.
Entries open on April 1 and will be accepted until July 31. The gala online performance will be revealed in October. Participants including individuals, schools, choirs and community groups can download the music arrangement, including parts for a wide range of instruments and various skill levels, rehearse, record their performance and upload it to the website. AMEB will then combine all the clips to create one impressive virtual performance.
The first Online Orchestra in 2018 celebrated AMEB's centenary. Waltzing Matilda was performed with over 2000 participants and conducted by Ben Northey. In 2019 the chosen song was I am Australian conducted by Jessica Gethin. Taking a year off in 2020 to prepare for a truly special Online Orchestra in 2021 AMEB is thrilled to release Morning Star and Evening Star and associated resources.
In 1996, Aunty Lottie Eaton (Levinge) passed on knowledge of the Yugambeh story about the morning and evening star to Candace as she recalled a lullaby sung to her by her Grandmother Jenny Graham. Lottie was staying with her Granny Graham while attending school in Southport (QLD) in the 1930s. By 1996 when Lottie remembered this song, she was an older woman and it had been over 60 years since she last sang or heard the song in Yugambeh language. Lottie was pleased she could remember the words in English as it was her favourite lullaby. Morning Star and Evening Star Who is the fat one and who is the thin one? Morning Star and Evening Star Who should come out first? Morning Star calls to Evening Star, "Come on!" Evening Star sings out, "No, you go ahead!"
Click here to watch the music video on YouTube.
Bernard Depasquale CEO of AMEB says: "We are immensely honoured to have the opportunity to help bring this truly Australian narrative to life. We have enjoyed working with Candace and her community and we thank the elders of the Yugambeh region for their permission to use the song. We now look forward to sharing the rediscovered story of Morning Star and Evening Star with people around the country.
Teaching resources and learning plans that align with the national arts and language curriculum are available so teachers of all levels can integrate the song and the project into their classrooms.
Project & entry details: https://onlineorchestra.ameb.edu.au/
Step 1 – Watch the AMEB Online Orchestra website for instructions and inspiration. Step 2 – Download the part you'd like to play and the accompanying click track. Step 3 – Practise your part. Step 4 – Record yourself playing your part in your chosen location (a place that's special to you). Step 5 – Upload the recording (audio or video) to the website. Step 6 – Be a part of the biggest orchestra Australia has seen!
Key Dates 1 April 2021 – Entries open 31 July 2021 – Entries close October 2021 – AMEB Online Orchestra performance of Morning Star and Evening Star revealed