VIT Permission To Teach

The VIT have publicly released an Advisory to Principals to clarify the 2017 Permission to Teach Policy and how it relates to Instrumental Music Teachers vs Instructors. Briefly, the VIT reiterates the definition of a Teacher and provides clarification around when it is appropriate to employ an Instructor without Permission To Teach. The Principal’s Advisory is available for public viewing here: https://www.vision6.com.au/v/46574/5767653/email.html?k=6SJ1uZrXwXYrAmUg38sZ8mcvJsNZq4aI3jk9sxE4570 Various organisations, including sMAG, have had concerns for some time around situations in schools in all sectors, where unqualified and unregistered staff were solely responsible for large groups of students without the rigour or basic accountability provided by the VIT and a basic level of qualification. In some cases, these ensembles have been larger than what a fully qualified and registered teacher would be expected to accommodate in their classroom. sMAG is supportive of the VIT’s role in upholding the profession of Teaching, and welcomes this clarification which should serve to bring Instrumental Music back into the school curriculum. sMAG believes strongly that Instrumental Music is an entirely valid means of delivering the Victorian Curriculum within our schools. We extend thanks to a large number of professionals in various organisations involved in bringing about the clarifications over a period of nearly 10 years. We recognise that work continues within the major auspices to effectively manage any implementation, and ask the music community for patience as processes move through. We advise anyone working in the SIMP needing clarification to seek advice from either the AEU or the VIT directly. Carl Williams VICE CHAIR

Read VIT PTT Website Publication

Don't Stop The Music The broadcast of the first instalment of Don't Stop The Music was a heart warming, and compelling story of Challis Primary School students experiencing quality Music Education for the first time.  Anastasia, Samuel, Raj and Cody were particularly engaging as they each made their first furore into Musical experience. If you did not get to watch Don't Stop The Music on Sunday, you can see the show any time you like on ABC IVIEW. The second episode will air on the ABC on Sunday November 18, in the evening.

ABC IVIEW #DSTM EPISODE 1

The petition on Change.org has over 1900 signatures as of this publication. Please sign and share to see every child, in every school receive a Music Education https://www.change.org/p/the-hon-daniel-tehan-mp-federal-election-music-education-charter

Just Brass run by The Salvos, delivers music education to low SES schools.  To assist them in reaching every corner of Australia, you can all help!  Dust off the old, unused instruments out in the garage, and donate them to the Just Brass program by dropping them off at any Salvation Army store.

Does your organisation support schools to start music programs? The ABC is developing a brief directory of organisations that work with schools to build high-quality (sequential, continuous and developmental) music programs which will be aligned with the ABC's new Building a Musical School Kit resources, coming soon. If your organisation would like to be included on the list, please fill out this form. We also encourage you to distribute the form to any other organisations who you think may want to be involved.

HOW CAN I REGISTER FOR DON'T STOP THE MUSIC INSTRUMENTS AND RESOURCES? MUSICA VIVA HAS THE ANSWERS! https://musicaviva.com.au/dontstopthemusic/ How can I register my school for instruments? Is my school eligible? Expressions of interest are being logged here.  Please note that schools with an ICSEA value of less than 1000 will be prioritised but special cases can be made to Musica Viva directly. Email dstm@musicaviva.com.au Disadvantage is defined by the school’s ICSEA value, geographic location, size and special needs. ICSEA values can be determined here How can my school get involved in Don’t Stop the Music? Do you need instruments? Educators can register interest on behalf of schools here. How does my school donate instruments? First of all, it is important to check that instruments are on our list of accepted instruments for the campaign and is in a reasonable condition for use. Find out here - we’re on the lookout for woodwind, strings, percussion and brass instruments – plus guitars, ukuleles, drum-kits – and instrument cases, accessories and spare parts. Families can drop off instruments at their nearest Salvos store. Can we have a musician come to our school? We’d love to bring music to your school! There is nothing like the excitement and power of a live performance and the best place to experience our concerts is in your own school, so we come to you. No buses, no travel, no wasted time! Discover which Musica Viva ensembles are touring in your region here What is Musica Viva In Schools? Musica Viva In Schools is committed to delivering high quality live music experiences to all Australian children and their teachers regardless of geography or socio-economic status.We believe that every child deserves access to a quality music education. Musica offers a special subsidy program, which supports schools that may not be able to afford our standard student price. Last year, through the support of donors and sponsors we were able to deliver our programs to over a quarter of a million children around Australia at just a fraction of the real cost. And there is still much work to do. By 2020 we aim to double our reach with live performances and the latest teaching technologies, but cannot achieve this without the generosity of our supporters. Musica Viva In Schools is proud to support teachers in increasing their capacity to teach music in the classroom through a range of online and free face-to-face professional development opportunities. In 2016, over 3,700 general classroom teachers and music specialists attended a Musica Viva In Schools professional learning course.    Does MVIS provide teaching resources? Are they free? As part of the Don’t Stop the Music initiative, Musica Viva is offering a free sampler course, comprising a general introduction to music education in the Australian primary school, aimed at generalist teachers with minimal music teaching experience who are looking to build confidence. Check it out here. Each Musica Viva In Schools program includes interactive online teaching resources to help teachers prepare for the live performance coming to their school. These resources contain: - up to ten weeks worth of flexible lesson plans - fun activities - audio and video content, including demonstrations of musical activites - interactive lessons to encourage student participation - music and creative arts curriculum specific content as well as cross-curriculum links, all aligning with state and national curricula Discover more about Musica Viva’s teacher resources here   Does MVIS offer teacher professional development? Is it accredited? Musica Viva In Schools are proud to support teachers in increasing their capacity to teach music in the classroom through a range of online and face-to-face professional development opportunities. Delivered when you book a performance at your school, online PD will guide you in using Musica Viva’s teaching resources in your classroom and can be accessed by all the teachers at your school. Best of all, online PD can be accessed at a time and a place that suits you. Face-to-face professional development is delivered by Musica Viva educators and musicians throughout the year and across Australia. Our 2 hour events meet AITSL standards, and are fully accredited. You will receive a certificate of participation after the event.  Professional development events are suitable for general classroom teachers and music specialists. All Musica Viva Professional Development country-wide addresses AITSL Teacher Standards. NSW Proficient teachers will receive 2 hours of NESA accredited Professional Development, while all ACT Professional Development is fully accredited with both NESA and TQI.  Discover more about Musica Viva’s teacher resources here   LOTS OF MAJOR MUSIC ORGANISATIONS OFFER SUPPORT TO START MUSIC PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS.  PLEASE JOIN THE SMAG FACEBOOK GROUP TO SHARE AND DISCUSS ALL THAT IS OUT THERE!

sMAG VIC FACEBOOK GROUP

MUSIC TEACHER ARIA AWARDS Guy Sebastian lends his star power to the ARIA Music Teacher of the Year awards! Have you voted?

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Richard Gill: Celebration of a Life The Sydney Symphony Orchestra and colleague companies are proud to honour the life and achievements of the late Richard Gill. On Saturday 17 November, the Sydney Music Community will gather at the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House and share music and speeches in tribute to a man who was without match in his devotion to bringing people to music and music to people. Members of the public are invited to join the Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Sydney Chamber Choir and the Conservatorium High School Chamber Choir for this tribute performance. Due to demand there will be a free livestream of this concert: Saturday 17 November 2018, 11.30AM AEDT watch.sydneysymphony.com Should there be a peak Music Body in other areas willing to open a venue for local musicians to gather and be a part of the livestream together, please let us know and we will publicise.