In 2026 we’re making an Orchestra, Burra style! Maybe you already play an instrument or you’d like to sing? Or maybe you’d like to play a new bush instrument or make your own?

Our orchestra will include unique to Burra instruments, thanks to Daryl and the men of the Men’s Shed. But if you think of anything else that sounds good (a teacup and a teaspoon, a corrugated water tank) let’s put it in.

If you live in, or around Burra and you’d like to get involved, FANTASTIC. There are no auditions or requirements. We’ll workshop, then I’ll write the final music, so I’ll make it fit us! Orchestra season will kick off in April, when we’ll start writing words. Final concert will be October 17 in the Town Hall.

What does Burra sound like? Let’s find out. Send me an email if you’d like to get involved or find out more!

Send Jodie An Email

Some ideas for making instruments.

Thank you to the Men of the Men’s Shed who have generously offered to build some unique Burra instruments for the orchestra!

Diddley Bow

Making a frame for a drum

Cigar Box Guitar

Wind Chimes

Bucket Bass

Junk Instruments

Handpan

G’day!

I’m Jodie, the composer who lives in the old Redruth Methodist Church with my husband Emlyn and our two little dogs. This year I’m leading a new music project with anyone in Burra who wants to do it.

We’ll write the words, and the music and create our own orchestra, with whatever instruments we have, or find, or make.
We’ll definitely have singing. Everyone’s welcome. If you play an instrument, or you’d like to make one, you’d like to sing, or you just want to be part of making something with the town.

It'll be a bit different and should be heaps of fun.

Find out more - send me an email. jodie@redruthstudio.com

Here’s the plan so far.

WRITING WORDS - April

I’ll put up boards around town where we can write and read each other’s stories. Then I’ll take put these words together and make lyrics.

MUSIC WORKSHOPS - June

We’ll come up with ideas for melodies and instruments for our orchestra. The Men’s Shed have already started making some new instruments. But we can also use anything that feels like Burra and makes an interesting sound, from teacups to farming tools. Then I’ll take all these ideas and write the full music to suit us and our instruments.

PREPARING AND PERFORMANCE - September to October

We’ll rehearse and perform in the Town Hall on October 17, joined by some visiting professional musicians. And we’ll record this.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET INVOLVED

Send me an email if you want to find out more or you have an idea. Maybe you’d like to:

  • perform or help with the performance

  • get involved in a workshop. If you’re a muso, you can jam ideas. If you’re not a muso, you can listen to ideas.

  • suggest ideas for instruments or make your own instrument or run an instrument making workshop

  • host a board. Do you have a place that could host a board, somewhere people pass by, with a wall space? Somewhere you can keep an eye on to prevent vandalism?

  • suggest another idea.

  • help spread the word, or help organise things.

  • write on a board. Tell your Burra story.

THANK YOU

I’m really excited to make our very own piece of music for our town! We’ve got good stories to tell.

This project is supported by NEOEN through their Community Benefit Fund. Thank you Neoen!

SEND ME AN EMAIL