Why teaching music in schools is so instrumental
A variety of campaigns have highlighted the importance that musical education has in learning. The powerful 2018 ABC documentary called Don’t Stop The Music followed one school’s journey as it introduced a large scale school band with the help of the Salvation Army.
However, the most compelling body of research comes from a seminal study that was conducted by Professor Brian Caldwell and Dr Tanya Caughan. They found that student engagement, learning outcomes and social wellbeing are all improved by the introduction of teaching artists in schools.
Anthony Mackay AM is deputy chancellor of Swinburne University and chair of The Song Room. He has a few suggestions as to how music can remain important within society.
“One practical solution involves sending specialist music teachers into classrooms to help generalist teachers. This enables teachers to blend professional learning into their daily schedule rather than having to find time outside classroom hours,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“Providing greater access to arts learning resources such as videos, lesson plans and instructions is another effective way of helping teachers. When these resources are designed to be adapted to particular skill levels, it enables teachers to build their capabilities with confidence.
“Encouragingly, a number of government authorities have recently committed funding to music education, recognising it is as an effective way to help students academically and socially.”
Mackay also highlighted the organisation that he chairs, which is The Song Room, and how it’s working with the Victorian Department of Education and Training to alleviate the lack of music in schools.
The Song Room is providing music education mentoring programs in 80 government schools over this semester alone.