What
a month October was!! As we move into
November, we stand to be just as busy.
Current sMAG Co-Chair Ian Harvey and committee member Robin
Stevens were inducted into the aMuse Music Education Hall of Fame. They
were amongst many fine high achievers, and sMAG
congratulates them all. Dr. Anne Lierse accepted on behalf of Richard Gill, and
prepared a congratulations speech for Robin Stevens. Deborah Smith (former vice
chair of sMAG was also inducted). A huge thank you to Kevin and Lynlee for
their tireless work in aMUSE, and ongoing support towards sMAG!
Inquiry Implementation
Update
Under the Napthine Victorian government, support for the
recommendations was tabled in parliament in May and can be read here: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/etc/Music_Ed_Inquiry/Government_Response_to_Education_and_Training_Committees_Inquiry_in_to_the_extent_benefits_and_.pdf
We inform the community of the running implementation against
these recommendations as we are informed.
a) The DEECD has formed an expert reference group by
invitation. Experts from across
the field have been invited to participate; from early years learning to all
sectors of tertiary education, from classical music genres, through jazz and to
modern expressions - as well as principals and music industry representatives. A
member of staff the Premier and Cabinet offices represents government from. sMAG
is also well represented in the group. We
hope with a wide array of experts, the best outcomes can be achieved, and have
benefits through to the next generation of learners. The next meeting will
happen in a couple of weeks to discuss key aspects of the reform agenda made
public at the Symposium held in October.
The group will continue to meet
through to 2017. A summary of the reform
agenda can be found here: http://smag-schoolmusicactiongroup.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/bastow-twilight-seminar-symposium-on.html You will see listed key headings that group agenda points
against the inquiry recommendations into 3 main groups. The role of this group
is to provide guidance, information, strategic direction for actions arising
from the Victorian Inquiry into the Extent, Benefits and Potential of Music
Education. While some items have commenced, some are currently under
discussion, and some (instrumental) have been deferred to 2015 when a further
review will commence. Anyone can join the conversation by emailing music.education@edumail.vic.gov.au
b)
The DEECD have taken their first round of data in the annual schools census,
which is the commencement in meeting the requirements for Recommendation 1 in
the inquiry report.
c)
VCAA, through the leadership of Helen Champion have commenced
consultation processes on the Music Education Guide with music educators across
Victoria. The Guide is a significant
step towards implementing one of the recommendations from the inquiry, and we
look forward to seeing and hearing about the progress of this online document
into the future.
d)
Strategic Partnerships Program Just prior to the start of the election
campaign Education Minister Dixon confirmed a further round of strategic
partnerships funding. Of this $1.5 was
allocated to music organisations with a vision to improve PD delivery and other
programs directly to students. http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/11399-16-2-million-taking-education-outside-the-classroom.html In announcing these funds
Minister Dixon said, “As part of the Government's response to the 2014 Parliamentary
Inquiry into Music Education, over $1.5 million in grants will be invested in
10 organisations focused on extending the quality and reach of music education
to Victorian students.
"Music is a vital
part of a rich and well-rounded school education in Victoria – and the Napthine
Government is ensuring Victorian students have a range of opportunities to
develop and extend their music skills."
Country
Victoria was also well represented with 19 regionally-based organisations
receiving grants, and others, such as regional Arts Victoria, delivering
programs specifically for regional students.”
The
Melbourne Youth Music program received a financial commitment from the
Victorian government to improve their programs and reach more students across
Victoria. We welcome and celebrate this
fantastic news, as MYM will meet the needs of the highly able. Fantastic news!
We understand also that aMuse received some funding through this program
for the period 2015-17. Great news!
We are seeking information and details on the remaining groups to be
funded.
Victorian election
Election
campaigns create a lot of media attention.
It takes a significant amount of effort and hard work to secure the
attention of politicians, and then to secure the attention of the media. Copious amounts of information and video
footage all from various sources is gathered by journalists taking inordinate
amounts of time, only to have a quarter page in the newspaper, and a few
minutes on the evening news – if you are lucky.
Research, and intellectually broad discourse is reduced to bite sized
media grabs to get the attention of the general public. Inevitably, conversations behind the scenes
need to occur to clarify.
sMAG,
as a bi-partisan lobby group, has approached key ministers and staff from both
the Coalition and Labor. Every candidate
from all parties that is publicly listed has received a letter from us, urging
them to continue the reform agenda. In
each we have encouraged political support of the Inquiry and a commitment to its
implementation as part of each parties education platform. We have been seeking commitments from Coalition
and Labor to implement the recommendations from the Inquiry. Further, we have been seeking a strengthening
of commitment through provision of an aspiration, strategic framework,
accountability structure and financial support during the next four years of a
new parliament.
Naturally,
many music associations, music providers and individuals lobby politicians
leading up to election campaigns. Each
has unique methods of approach with differing levels of success. sMAG welcomes and supports those in the music
community that have the capacity to engage with politicians. It will take many years with a lot of effort
from a committed community to roll out significant reform in music education
delivery in Victoria. What has been
degraded over the last 4 or 5 decades cannot be fixed through one election
campaign or even one term of government.
It
will also take input from many experts, practicing musicians, music
associations, and various private music providers to make the kind of
difference we are aspiring towards – EVERY CHILD, IN EVERY SCHOOL. Children from many different cultural
inheritances, different locations, different abilities and different socio
economic groups all need to be catered for.
We all need to work together, along side one another, providing private
and public support for one another to see transformational change across every
school.
Whenever
we hear of such funding and support, we will celebrate it. With each announcement we see a new colour weaved
into a tapestry that will require much work and cohesion to complete
successfully.
The Major Parties
The Liberal Party to
date has commenced the roll out of their response to the inquiry as per the
information above and in earlier newsletters. We understand in good faith, that the
commenced action would continue under a re elected Napthine government. So far there have been no further election
campaign announcements with respect to music
education but hope that the Liberals back their commitment with some
further announcements in the remaining 14 days before the election.
The Labor Party to
date have committed to maintain what has been put in place during 2014, and
then over and above committed to a further $2M to address some key areas. The plan is to target schools that have no
music program in place, https://www.viclabor.com.au/media-releases/labor-hits-the-right-note-on-school-music/
“We’ll bring music lessons to every Victorian school and we’ll
help them with the cost of instruments because no child should miss out.”
The total package is $2M. Labor will contribute $1.4 million in funding, so all
Victorian government schools get the chance to refresh or commence music
education in their classrooms in partnership with Musical Futures Australia. It will also establish a $400,000 grants program to help government and low fee Catholic
and independent schools without a strong, school wide music program to purchase
musical instruments. Musical Futures
Australia will also administer $200,000 in additional funding to train and
mentor primary teachers with the tools of musical education before they enter
the classroom. To find more information
on MF go to: http://www.musicalfuturesaustralia.org.
sMAG’S
Response
For Labor, at
this point, the clear target towards funding schools with no music program at
all is an imperative that we support. Direct
initiatives toward teacher PD, teacher undergraduate training and provision of
musical equipment to schools will go a long way towards improving student outcomes, in a
way that is consistent with the inquiry recommendations. We understand
that the Labor announcements are in addition to funding and
initiatives already underway. This means the following would continue:
• the 10 music
organisations funded by the SPP program
• the expert reference
group
• the music guide project
and
• other activities
commenced by DEECD
The Labor response to the Inquiry provides support for teachers in rural
and regional locations, and those working in disadvantaged schools where
professional development opportunities are limited.
Effectively Labor have promised an addition $2m to music education as a
result of their announcement this week.
We welcome this investment and, in particular, the clear statements
Labor Leader Daniel Andrews made in about music ed in his announcement – Mr.
Andrews said ‘“We’ll bring music lessons to every Victorian school and we’ll
help them with the cost of instruments because no child should miss out.”
For Liberal, at this point,
the clear target of their established funding is towards many providers is also
an imperative that we support. The full outline of their established agenda is
listed above. The Liberal response to the inquiry provides significant support
towards significant improvements. As noted above the Liberals, to this point, have
not made any new election promises with regard to the process. We will continue to press the Liberals to
announce funding measures to support the inquiry recommendations and to make a
clear and unequivocal statement regarding their intentions and aspirations for
music education in this state. We have a
few days before the election day to achieve this if we can.
While each commitment is aligned to small amounts of funding towards a
big job, we think we have achieved a first – both major parties discussing
music education.
WHAT YOU CAN DO - LOCAL LOBBYING
We invite all members of the community
to write to their local members during the election campaign. Everyone in the community can get
involved in taking action during the Victorian Election Campaign. Everyone!
Parents, teachers and musicians all have a part to play in getting the
political candidates to hear about 'What Our Schools Need'! As you meet your local election
hopefuls, raise awareness of the inquiry with each personally. The posters that are up on our blog can be
handed to election hopefuls to make them aware that this is an important issue
in our community. We have a template letter and excel spreadsheet of candidates
contact details for those wanting to write.
Please email us to get a copy sent to you if you want to contribute in
this way. Or the details about how to contact your local members are up on their
websites:
To find your;
•
Independents are more difficult to find online
- here is a starting point: http://www.abc.net.au/news/vic-election-2014/guide/electorates/
Other activities and things of interest…..
MUSIC COUNT US IN
On Thursday Oct 20th, Catherine was invited to speak to
around 1,000 people for the Music Count Us In project. The impact of a positive music education, and
the hopes after two government reviews were put forward. It was a
glorious day at Federation Square. Harry from The Cat Empire joined us
for the performance. Harry attended Malvern PS, where a comprehensive P –
6 Music Curriculum is in place. The Glen Waverley Concert band played
with Harry, Sue from AMUSE was the compere, and around 600 children sang ‘Paint
You a Song’.
SBS radio carried the Music
Count Us In story from Federation Square”http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/radionews/episode/370425/Students-sing-together-to-celebrate-music-education —
at Federation Square.
The Today show did a pre story in the morning with Shannon Noll
in Sydney. http://www.jump-in.com.au/show/today/today-takeaway/2014/october/music-count-us-in/
BTN covered the Music Count Us In project in their edition too
with an interview with the song writer. http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4117225.htm
ANITA COLLINS TEDx
Anita Collins has provided a Ted Talk in Canberra. She showcased the benefits of learning music,
especially in the early years of life (before the age of 7.)
RICHARD GILL’S
NATIONAL MENTORING PROGRAM
Richard Gill has been prolific in the media, promoting Music
Education on 774, the ABC and in the press. http://www.news.com.au/national/primary-school-teachers-to-get-elite-mentors-to-boost-music-in-state-schools/story-fncynjr2-1227095452462 We thank
Richard for his tireless work in promoting Music Education!
REVIEW OF THE
AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM
Debate
around the Federal Review continues as we write. We acknowledge the varying views and debates
around the issues raised in The Arts curriculum. As a Victorian group, we believe we are best
placed to focus our energies on the positive outcomes gained in the Victorian
Inquiry. We are happy to enter the
debate and contribute with examples where necessary, and as called upon. As a Victorian group we are often made aware
of how Federal decision affect people ‘on the ground’ and how Victorian
bureaucracies interpret Federal mandates.
We have been bringing those examples to the attention of those highly
engaged in the Federal debate. Our
initial response, which we still stand by, can be read here: http://smag-schoolmusicactiongroup.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/review-of-australian-curriculum-initial.html
The Song Room
On November 13th, The Song Room celebrated ten years of Teaching Artist programs with
a HUGE performance at the Melbourne Town Hall! Featuring over 400 children
performing for each other, their peers, communities and the Victorian Premier,
this event also doubled as the unveiling of the World Innovation Summit for Education - WISE Award for Innovation in Education! Congratulations to
all involved - particularly the children who were simply amazing!
…
THE AUDITORY
NEUROSCIENCE LABORATORY
An online research project, dedicating science projects to
sound, and its effects on the brain.
Many studies to do with musicians and music education have been
published: https://www.facebook.com/audneurolabNU?fref=nf
News from the VCAA
VCAA Notice to Schools 2014/124 provides an update about AusVELS
and curriculum for 2015. The notice is available on the VCAA website: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/correspondence/notices/2014/124.aspx
SPOTLIGHT
Tate Street Primary School in Geelong: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/tate-st-blows-their-own-trumpet/story-fnjuhovy-1226858229123
LOCAL MUSIC EDUCATION
NETWORKS
News of music teachers forming DEECD professional networks has
come through to us. Great news! We hope to hear of more such networks being
developed through Melbourne municipalities and regional Victoria, as it will
bring such strength to our community. If
you would like support or information about getting one started talk to your
Principal or email us at: smag.schoolmusicactiongroup@gmail.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CONNECTIONS
Please pass these connections to colleagues that use these
platforms! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sMAGVic Twitter: @sMAG_Vic
Social media assistance: Should there be a willing volunteer
amongst you, with skills in the social media paradigm, we would be happy to
hear from you. Please send an email
through if you are willing to contribute in this space.
Thank you for your continued support. We hope
to work with whoever wins government to improve music education delivery
throughout Victoria. Please forward to
colleagues you believe would be interested in supporting sMAG.
