The Song Room Web Site

Harmony in Strings program gains exceptional in-kind support

The University of Melbourne has recognized the value of a new program delivered by The Song Room by offering in-kind support through student placement and volunteer students to assist in delivering the program to kids in need in Melbourne’s inner city schools. The Harmony in Strings project pilots the use of an innovative model of cello and violin music education in a disadvantaged school to encourage music education and social cohesion through into secondary school. Students from Years 4, 5 and 6 at Sacred Heart Primary will participate in the program over 3 years which is generously funded by the William Buckland Foundation.

Scholarship student soars to new heights

The Song Room has lifted Indonesian student Nabila to new heights, including having the opportunity to share the stage with some of Australia’s finest musicians such as Doug deVries, Paul Williamson and Ray Pereira, through a Song Room scholarship program designed to identify and help outstanding students that show exceptional potential to pursue an artistic career.

The Song Room’s PlayAir Campaign WINS Bronze Statue Award at the London International Design (LIA) 

On 14 November 2011, the 26th London International Awards announced Ogilvy Group & The Song Room as a finalist in the Design – Non Profit Category, and Winners of the Bronze Statue for the PlayAir Campaign.

The Song Room CEO, Caroline Aebersold is a Finalist for Telstra Business Women's Awards

The Song Room CEO, Caroline Aebersold, was recently awarded runner-up for the Nokia Business Innovation Award in the Victoria chapter of the 2011 Telstra Business Women’s Awards, held on the 18th October 2011.

Transforming Education through the Arts – Sneak preview of new book launched in Australia in early 2012.

Prof Brian Caldwell's latest book, co-authored by Dr Tanya Vaughan, is Transforming Education through The Arts, published for the international market in November 2011 by Routledge and soon to be available in Australia. It provides a powerful argument for the arts in raising achievement and enhancing student wellbeing and draws on the landmark research conducted by Educational Transformations on The Song Room programs in 2010.

The Song Room’s submission to the draft National Cultural Policy

After ten weeks of public consultation, the Australian Government will be using feedback from the many submissions received around the nation to finalize the development of a new National Cultural Policy – the first in nearly 20 years. The National Cultural Policy will set the framework for Australian Government support for arts, culture and creativity for the next ten years, providing a common strategic direction and rationale for current and future investment.

The Song Room WINS on Channel Nine’s Celebrity Apprentice

For 5 weeks, Channel Nine aired the top-rating show, Celebrity Apprentice, where 12 of Australia's most well-known and controversial celebrities competed to raise money for their various charities. Around 1.61 million viewers tuned in to watch the finale of Australia’s Celebrity Apprentice. At stake was $100,000 for the winning celebrity apprentice's charity and the title of Australia's first celebrity apprentice.

MYER Christmas Window Reveal 2011

On Friday November 4, 2011, The Song Room Choir, made up of students from Resurrection Primary School and Sunshine Special Development School, were the stars of the MYER Christmas Windows Reveal event at Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne.

Resurrection School (VIC) WINS $50k Schools First Impact Award for Song Room partnership

Winners for the NAB Schools First Award winners for 2011 were announced 15th September 2011 and Resurrection Primary School (VIC) was one of 60 schools to receive a $50,000 Imact Grant. Resurrection Primary School’s partnership with The Song Room has been pivotal in introducing music, not only in class learning, but across the spectrum of the school’s activities, as a means of enhancing students’  engagement at school, self-confidence and connectedness with each other.

Mount Ommaney Special School (QLD) WINS $50k Schools First Impact Award for Song Room partnership

Winners for the NAB Schools First Award winners for 2011 were announced 15th September 2011 and Mount Ommaney Special School (QLD) was one of 60 schools to receive a $50,000 Imact Grant. Mt Ommaney Special School and The Song Room (TSR) partnered to engage students with severe and multiple impairments in drama, through storytelling and dramatic play. Students from Prep-Grade 12 participate in weekly drama sessions that are proven to provide innovative opportunities to create and connect with the world around them. The school aimed to improve students’ access to the proven benefits of arts programs in addressing complex needs; and develop staff skills, knowledge and confidence to deliver their own arts-focused programs in the future.

The Song Room & Ogilvy Group WIN Victorian AbaF Award

Each year, AbaF (Australian Business Arts Foundation) honours the best relationships between the private sector and the arts/cultural industry through the prestigious AbaF Awards.