They were celebrating the discovery and naming of Mount Kosciuszko by Polish explorer Paul Strzelecki 167 years ago.

A fortnight ago I received an email from the Sydney Windjammers, a woodwind ensemble based in Sydney, requesting my help in the way of playing clarinet with them on Mount Kosciuszko.

General Tadeusz Kosciuszko was also it seems a composer between battles.

Paul Dion, Kosciuszko waltz the jazzy way.Seated on stones: Ambassador J. Wieclaw (left) and John Hospodaryk (right)

Three of his compositions had recently been discovered and it was the intention of the Australian Polish community to have them performed at the “Kosciuszko Music On Mount Kosciuszko” celebrations.

Breathtaking views, breathtaking treks and lugging musical gear and costumes up a mountain are not usually associated with fine performances however this was to be an exception.

The concert opened with an address by the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, His Excellency Jerzy Wieclaw, and a message from the Chairman of the Kosciuszko Mound in Cracow.

Kosciuszko’s music by the 10 piece Sydney Windjammers, songs and poems about the area by John Hospodaryk (singer/guitarist) and others followed.

Robinson Quezada (Windjammers) & his wife listen on

Windjammers & Paul Dion on the summit, conducted by David Keetley

One song: “Hi, Australian Snowy Mountains” by Joanna Kucyper, Monika Szymanska, Arkadiusz Swierski and Bydgoszcz, beautifully recorded by the Warsaw Agricultural University Choir, was played on a CD.

Mountaineer dancers in full traditional costume followed and I couldn’t help but ponder how at home they looked wandering the mountain slopes.

The men in felt trousers with broad leather belts and crooks.

The women in their colourful long and sensibly warm skirts.

A few days earlier I was asked by organizer Ernestyna if I would sing “The Snowy Anthem” and also perform a jazz/blues saxophone version of one of Kosciuszko’s pieces.

I was delighted and thank the Polish community for including particularly “The Snowy Anthem” in the program.

“The Snowy Anthem” is a tribute to the Snowies and its pioneers, of whom many came from Poland.

Pronunciation of Polish words such as “Wszystko” for English speakers is something of a problem. However I had no trouble reading and expressing Kosciuszko’s Polish music.

Music is indeed a universal language.

High on Mount Kosciuszko last weekend we were all as one.

Warm friendship and optimism prevailed in a palpable atmosphere of mountain harmony.

Yes, yes, everybody happy: Paul Dion (left), Lukasz Swiatek & Adam Wasiel (right)