The Black Arm Band

A Note From The Musical Directors

Like old friends who we haven’t seen in a while, the music and songs performed here tonight linger in our memory.

Steven Richardson rang about 3 years ago with an ambitious plan of creating an Aboriginal Orchestra. Unfortunately, it proved too improbable. The other ambitious option was to gather together some of the most significant Aboriginal singers and songwriters in Australia. The Black Arm Band sounded so right and seemed so impossible, but here we are. New orchestrations developed with Aaron Choulai and Eugene Ball have given us new perspectives on all this familiar territory.

All of the artists tonight were whole hearted and generous in their support of this significant event. These songs are some of the key cornerstones of the soundtrack of contemporary Aboriginal life. They are an essential part of Australian folklore. There are many more. So many more great songs and artists who are not here. Songs that tell of a big story, of a big hearted people, ‘crying out to be heard’. Tales of the tragedies and triumphs of Aboriginal experience.

The future will always be able look back and take its bearings from these songs and this event. There are long stories here as well as new additions to contemporary songlines. It’s not been an easy road but it’s a deeply rewarding and significant journey.