Music Award Nominations Now Open: NUMAs featuring The Song Room’s School of the Year (Primary) Award
Music Award Nominations Now Open: NUMAs featuring The Song Room’s School of the Year (Primary) Award
Australia’s music education community is celebrating a major milestone: nominations are now officially open for the inaugural Next Up Music Awards (NUMAs) – a brand‑new national platform recognising creativity, talent and excellence in schools and communities across the country. As the Arts Education Partner, The Song Room is proud to support this exciting new initiative and to present one of the flagship awards: School of the Year (Primary).
The Song Room’s School of the Year (Primary) category celebrates primary schools that create vibrant, inclusive and meaningful music experiences for their students — a mission deeply aligned with our work over the twenty-six years.
For the first time, young creators, teachers and schools have a dedicated national stage that honours the full spectrum of music making happening every day — in classrooms, rehearsal rooms, home studios, community spaces and beyond.
A new national celebration of music excellence
The NUMAs recognise that music education today is diverse, dynamic and evolving. Students aren’t just performers — they’re songwriters, producers, engineers, creators, leaders and community contributors. Teachers aren’t just instructors — they’re mentors, champions and catalysts for creativity. Schools aren’t just learning environments — they’re cultural hubs where young people discover who they are and what they can create.
With expert industry panels judging each category, the awards honour originality, craft, identity, impact and potential — not just polish or access to resources.
Nominations and applications are now open. Entries close 15 September.
This vision is championed by an extraordinary group of NUMAs supporters, including Patrons Sia and Troye Sivan, Artistic Director Mahalia Barnes, First Nations Artistic Director DOBBY, and Youth Patrons Ruby Rodgers and Myka Champion, with more to be announced. Their involvement brings national visibility, industry leadership and creative inspiration to the awards — reinforcing the importance of music education across Australia.
Celebrating students, teachers and schools
The NUMAs feature a wide range of categories designed to recognise excellence across the music ecosystem.
The NUMAs are open to everyone who brings music to life in schools and communities, from young creators and class groups to inspiring teachers and music rich schools.
- Young creators can enter as emerging artists or submit original work across songwriting, production or musical theatre.
- Schools can be recognised for their vibrant music cultures, including School of the Year (Primary) presented by The Song Room.
- Teachers who inspire creativity and confidence can be nominated for Music Teacher of the Year, with awards for both Primary and Secondary. It’s your chance to shine a light on the incredible impact of music education across Australia.
Whether you’re a teacher, student, parent, school leader or community member, you can help shine a light on the impact of music education happening across Australia.
Entries close 15 September 2026.
Why this matters
Music education changes lives. It builds confidence, identity, belonging and joy. It helps young people understand themselves and each other. It opens pathways — not just into the arts, but into leadership, community, wellbeing and lifelong learning.
The NUMAs recognise all of this. They celebrate the work happening quietly in classrooms. They amplify the voices of young creators. And they honour the teachers and schools who make it possible.
Nominations are now open — apply today
Whether you’re a teacher, student, parent, school leader or community member, you can help shine a light on the creativity happening across Australia.
To view the eligibility and judging criteria, and enter an inspiring music creative at nextupmusicawards.com
We can’t wait to see students, teachers and schools recognised for their music excellence — and to celebrate the incredible work happening in classrooms and communities across the country.
Want to see this kind of creative learning in your school?
The Song Room works with schools across Australia to build confidence, connection and engagement through music and the arts. Find out more at songroom.org.au
