For three years they’ve been the “bridesmaids”, to Blaxland High’s popular boys vocal group The Billies, but in their final year of schooling the all-female quintet The Chimes have risen to the occasion.
The five-piece which formed at Blaxland High School three years ago, have been selected to perform at the Sydney Opera House on August 9.
Selected from more than 150 auditions across western Sydney and the Central Coast as one of only six acts to gain a solo performance, The Chimes will take to the stage at the Pulse concert; a showcase of excellence in the performing arts at NSW public schools.
“The Chimes had been the bridesmaids, but haven’t got the big opportunity. To get it in year 12, they hung in there and were resilient,” said Blaxland High music teacher David Leishman.
“I’m rapt for the girls. Their reaction was priceless. They’re humble kids.
“They were a bit emotional about getting into Pulse. It will be a big highlight singing in front of 3500 people.”
The quintet will perform an upbeat, Latino-take on Save the Last Dance for Me.
“They trade solo lines with each other and bring a lot of energy to it,” Mr Leishman said.
The teens practice weekly and a lot of their songs they were able to incorporate into a major work within the HSC subject Music 1.
Kate Kelly-Wilson, Ali Dunning, Hayley Riches, Claire Dunning and Emma Suzuki were put together three years ago because they were compatible personally and their voices blended well.
“All the years of taking it on has bore fruit for them. They’re growing older together. Their level of maturity and learned experiences; the mistakes are not being made like a year ago,” Mr Leishman said.
The wealth of musical talent at Blaxland High is well known.
“The Billies are like the Jersey Boys, the Corvettes are like the Pointer Sisters and the Chimes are like the Supremes – it’s a classy approach that they bring to the table,” Mr Leishman said.
Their August performance is likely to draw to a close the group’s performing career as the teenagers go their separate ways when year 12 wraps up. Some are considering a career in the creative arts, others a gap year or straight to university.
The Chimes’ final performance is likely to be in the Blaxland High School year 12 farewell assembly in late September.
The Pulse concert on August 8 will feature students presenting works in dance, drama and music.