By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
TWO hundred Victorian schools have been invited to apply for $5000 State Government grants to buy musical instruments.
The announcement was made at River Gum Primary School (RGPS) in Hampton Park on Monday 15 February in front of ambitious Hampton Park Secondary College and RGPS band students.
Minister for Education James Merlino announced stage one of the “important” program alongside young rockers.
He even took up the drums himself, saying it’s been about 27 years since he’s been behind a drum kit.
Mr Merlino was greeted by RGPS choir and rock band which sang Aussie classics as he was taken around the school music facilities.
The $2 million Music in Schools roll out includes $1.6 million in professional training for teachers and $400,000 in grants over two stages for schools to buy instruments.
There is also another $200,000 to put university trainee teachers through a musical education program before they start working in schools.
Mr Merlino spoke to teachers and students about the necessity of the roll-out saying research has shown that exposure to music education results in better grades, better results and better attendance.
“These grants for musical equipment will help schools that need it most,” he said.
“Music brings joy and happiness and it actually helps brain development.”
RGPS music teacher Rob Sharp has been teaching at the school for three years and said music is a vital component of a child’s education.
“It’s amazing, we’ve had students with behavioural issues and learning disabilities and watching them grow through music is really beautiful,” Mr Sharp said.
“It’s that appreciation for music and that ability to think abstract, use their hearing, work in a team and band and problem solve.”
Mr Sharp shared his wish list with Mr Merlino which included an electric drum set and maybe some saxophones.
He said he has watched music in schools die and hoped new instruments will attract more students.
“Even when I was at high school music died down after year seven.
“I would have been one of five students who did VCE music.
“This program will be incredibly important for the arts in general,” Mr Sharp said.
Watch Mr Merlino bang the drums in our video:
