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Music / Arts Workshops

The Song Room provides a range of tailored programs, including:

In-School Workshops

In-school Workshop Programs include a range of creative and performing arts, run for a minimum of six months and are complemented by other programs including performances, holiday programs and professional development.

The workshops are tailored to meet the diverse needs of each school community, which may involve the formation of a choir or percussion group, classroom music programs, drama or creative movement programs. Program planning is based on local need, demographics and evidence-based exemplary practice. Support materials and activities, advice, and professional development are provided to enhance impact and work towards self-sustainability.

“Children really gained a lot of confidence and I also now have some great ideas to incorporate in my class program. Great and easy lesson breaks. A great learning experience for children and I discovered how talented some of my children are.”

Herbersham Public School, NSW

School Community Holiday Workshops

Targeted programs for specific school and community groups are also provided. This component addresses the broader community needs and is focused on specific children, youth, and families in need. They involve wider community partnerships and collaborations beyond the school system to encourage positive community participation.

They provide a safe, supervised and structured environment in which children can explore, experience and enjoy their creative talents and provide a forum for positive parental and family involvement with their children and the school environment.

“There was one boy who is regularly in conflict at school, whose behaviour steadily improved throughout the week until the Friday he wasn’t involved in a single incident. I think the program helped him to understand the benefits of co-operation.”

Bettina Leeson – Leading Teacher, Tregear PS, NSW

Performance Events

As part of its vision that all Australian children have the opportunity to participate in music and the arts, The Song Room provides free access to a range of professional performances for children involved in its workshop programs. Professional performances provide students and teachers with the inspiration and motivation to engage in further music and performing arts programs and activities.

Where possible a school community performance event as a culmination of the workshop program is held by the students and selected parents, which strengthens the children’s engagement and builds self-esteem and self-confidence. Evidence suggests that a performance event encourages greater participation during the in-school program and provides a forum for connecting the school and students to their parents and families.

“Students’ confidence improved each week. Students who normally wouldn't do things in front of others gained the confidence not only during the song room but even for classroom projects.”

Amanda Barker, Berseker State School, QLD

Sustainability Planning

The key way The Song Room programs create sustainable change, rather than simply providing programs where they previously didn’t exist, is to encourage the motivation, resources, skills networks and capacity for a range of disadvantaged school communities in Australia to provide life-changing developmental benefits to children.

The Song Room consults with the school/communities to structure programs that meet the needs of that school/community, including expert advice and support and resource materials for developing performing arts programs. It also provides teachers and community leaders with a range of professional development, mentoring, and teaching resources opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and practice in the ongoing delivery of such programs.

The Song Room works with the program stakeholders to build tailored long-term Sustainability Plans and to assist schools and communities to build their own music and performing arts capacity.

The Song Room Online

All schools who participate in Song Room programs, as well as many other disadvantaged schools across Australia, are given access to The Song Room Online. Membership with provides schools with a range of resources and support to help them more confidently incorporate music and creative arts programs into their curriculum and thereby support long-term, sustainable music/arts programs.

The online resources include curriculum and teaching resources, music, singing, dance and drama activities, structured Professional Development, links to other websites with creative arts resources, links to arts/arts education bodies and details on how a creative arts program in a school links to relevant Curriculum.

Please go to School Members for more details on this innovative program.

“The majority of our students would not have access to the programs/learning experiences/expertise/resources if it were not for The Song Room.”

Jane Branson, Coodanup Community College, WA

“Our students all come from the High-.rise buildings and they have no opportunities to take part or experience.”

Colleen Manuel, Sacred Heart School, VIC

Community Capacity Building

An important element of The Song Room programs is the development of community networks, leadership opportunities and cooperative district program structures to enable ongoing music and performing arts programs. This involves building linkages with community & school advisory committees and community representatives, and with local music and performing arts organisations.

Instrument Donations

Often schools have no music or performing arts programs and few resources or finances to fund the purchase of musical instruments. The Song Room assists in sourcing instrument donations from music companies and private sources, so that schools are left with a lasting resource.

“A student who was new to the school this year and is extremely quiet in class- he blossomed in music classes. I could not believe it when he volunteered to sing- not only did he know all the words but he absolutely belted out the lyrics. He absolutely loved it! He also danced up a storm during the drumming sessions. During music he is the most animated and active member of class- a great change from his regular classroom demeanor.”

Kai Pukarines, Berendale School, VIC

Partnerships and Collaborations

The Song Room has developed a comprehensive range of partnerships and collaborations that have been instrumental in the effectiveness of the Song Room model in expanding access to disadvantaged groups and individuals. Partnerships involve a range of education, arts, corporate and government organisations, including to name a few, government and non-government schools, the National Gallery of Victoria, State Symphony Orchestras, Federation Square, specialist and English language schools, the Children’s Hospitals in Melbourne, Sydney, Newscastle and Brisbane, Local Governments, Wesley Mission and Relationships Australia.

The Song Room has also developed partnerships with a number of Indigenous arts organisations and community organisations, including Barkly Regional Arts and Winanjjikari Music Centre in Northern Territory, Northern Territory School of Music, Awesome Arts and Mandurah Performing Arts Centre in Western Australia, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Pass Australia in Queensland, Gondwana Voices, Australian Theatre for Young People, The Smith Family, 3 MBS Radio and the Music Industry through the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia.

“Students gaining skills. Having students perform in front of their peers, families and outside visitors. Seeing students being prepared to challenge to try new experiences. Building of self esteem, working in teams, encouraging and supporting each other.”

Judy Campbell, Coodanup Community College, WA

If you or your organisation would like to become a partner, collaborate with or sponsor The Song Room, please go to How You Can Help. You’ll be involved with a wonderful cause!

For information about any of The Song Room programs, please contact:

Deborah Nicolson
Director of Programs
Tel: (03) 9495 6422
Fax: (03) 9495 6433
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The Song Room Web Site