Five minutes with Grace Obst
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At just 15 years of age, Lyneham High School student Grace Obst will take the stage at Reconciliation in the Park this Monday 27 May.
Joined on stage by Jye Hopkins and the Woden Valley Youth Choir, Grace will also share the line up with The Merindas, best known for their appearance in The Sapphires.
We caught up with Grace to talk about her start in music and why she’s so passionate about performing on Reconciliation Day.
Tell us how you got started in music?
I think I’ve always been surrounded by music. My mum used to sing to me before I would go to bed when I was little, but more often than not we sang the songs together. I enjoyed music right through primary school.
I started piano lessons when I was eight. Pretty soon after that, I was writing little songs on the piano. From performing in school bands with the flute I went on to teach myself the guitar, and between the piano and guitar my love for music has just grown. Music has always been a constant in my life and I can’t imagine not being able to sit on the piano or guitar and have that outlet to work through any emotions or feelings I’m experiencing.
Describe your style in three words
Honest, sensitive and soulful.
What motivated you to write about the stolen generation?
Last year one of my school assignments was to choose a significant event in Australian history, produce a creative response and write a rationale to summarise the creative response. There were no limits to what you could create, from poetry to tapestries to paintings, the possibilities were endless. Straight away I knew I wanted to write a song.
The list of topics we had been given did not include the Stolen Generation, but for some reason, I couldn’t stop thinking about it and asked my teacher if I could base my assignment on the Stolen Generation.
When I first started the assignment I knew the basic elements of the story, however, as I researched it further I felt more and more compelled to really capture not only the story of the Stolen Generation but the feelings and emotions that were felt by those who lived through it, and I also really wanted to capture how long-lasting the effects of this moment in history would be.
What other music will you be performing at Reconciliation in the Park?
I love all genres of music, and so I have chosen a number of my favourite songs that I often play and sing.
I know many of them will be recognisable, but I’m singing them in my own certain style which I hope people will love, and who knows, I may even include another one of my originals!
the essentials
What: Reconciliation in the Park
When: 10.30 am to 2.30 pm Monday 27 May 2019
Where: Glebe Park
How much: Free
Web: events.act.gov.au/reconciliationday
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