About

Short Black Opera Company (SBO) laid by Yorta Yorta/Yuin Artistic Director Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, is a national not-for-profit First Nations company based in Melbourne specialising in training and performance opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander singers, composers, conductors and instrumentalists

OUR VISION:

To increase First Nations representation in the world of classical music by creating a clearly defined pathways for singers and instrumentalists
To develop new audiences for live performance by presenting First Nations stories and culture
making the genre of opera accessible and relevant to a broader Australian audience

OUR AIMS:

To connect with First Nations talent throughout Australia
To offer intensive training First Nations singers and instrumentalists who wish to peruse a career in classical music
To present and promote First Nations compositions both large and small to Australian and International audiences
To continue to shine a light on First Nations excellence and achievement
To present First Nations culture and knowledge through the medium of opera
Audience development: by presenting works which have resonance and meaning for First Nations Australians we are developing a new audience for live classical performance in Australia

our programs

short black opera for kids

The Short Black Opera for KIDS program began in 2009 when we made the decision to develop an Indigenous children’s chorus who could perform in Deborah Cheetham’s opera Pecan Summer. We made our way to Shepparton and invited children from local schools to participate in a 2 day workshop. 30 children attended that first workshop and those who showed ability and a willingness to commit to rigorous training formed the very first Pecan Summer Children’s Chorus. This group became known locally as the Dhungala Children’s Choir. Three of the original members Minjaara Atkinson, Edward Bryant and Darcy Pierce are still with us, ten years later, as mentors and leaders.

In 2013, members of the Dhungala Children’s Choir wrote their own song, Do You Know Me? Since the very first performance this song has had a powerful impact on audiences and has now been shared with Aboriginal children around the country through our Short Black Opera for KIDS! regional engagement program and the Dhungala Choral Connection intensive choral camp.

Do You Know Me? became the genesis for a collection of songs written over the past 5 years – The Dhungala Choral Connection Songbook. This song book represents an important milestone for our company, connecting Indigenous children with traditional languages through song. Singing in language is a vital and effective way to strengthen cultural identity and instil confidence. We consider this one of our most important tasks.

For more information on running a program in your town or school please contact us.