A collaborative, national initiative led by Alberts | The Tony Foundation and driven by our collective belief in the power of music to change lives.
Our Vision
All Australian primary school children need, and have a right to a quality, sequential and ongoing music education.
©Photo/Image courtesy of Musica Viva
Extensive research in the fields of neuroscience and psychology have studied music learning and found that it:
Improves cognitive connectivity and efficiency
Improves learning capacity
Improves social skills and personal wellbeing
Decreases stress and anxiety
Heightened empathy and valuing of diversity
Supports reading and numeracy skills
Improves self-regulation
Increases attention stamina and focus
Boosts academic performance in English, Maths and Science
THE REPORT
Music Education: A Sound Investment
In 2019 Alberts philanthropic arm, The Tony Foundation commissioned a research report led by the internationally recognised scholar, researcher and award-winning music educator, Dr Anita Collins on the current status of music education in Australia.
The report highlights that a large number of Australian primary school children have little or no access to music education. Moreover, for those who do, there is significant variation in the quality of the learning they receive.
Dr Collins and her co-authors identify what constitutes quality music education and the issues to be addressed if we are to ensure that all primary students are to have access to the significant benefits it offers.
The final report, Music Education: A Sound Investment is available to download here
An Understanding of Quality School Music Education
This quality ‘explainer’ has been developed both to guide our own efforts and to encourage a common understanding of this critical question in our collaboration with those who share our commitment to music education. While the explainer recognises that music learning can be, and so often is, enjoyed throughout our lives, the focus here is on quality music education in primary schools.
View Document
Whats’ Next?
The official launch of the Music Education: Right From the Start initiative in Melbourne on Monday 12 September 2022 comes at a time when Australian schools are facing unprecedented challenges. Yet such times give rise to equally significant opportunities. Alberts and our partners are building on an expanding research base to inform sound policy, highlighting what works and what can be done to lift access to quality music education. Over the coming year we will be releasing new research and actively working to support teachers, school leaders and policy-makers in lifting music education in Australia’s primary schools.
We are committed to working with others passionate about music education. If you are interested and want to be involved, please get in touch.
Background
Alberts through our philanthropic arm, The Tony Foundation has supported organisations such as The Song Room, Musica Viva and Australian Children’s Music Foundation to provide a range of music programs in schools. Alberts also co-funded the ABC’s three-part tele-series Don’t Stop the Music which created a national conversation and call to action on music education. Music Education: Right from the Start was born of a realisation from our work and the research that ending the vast inequity of access to music education across Australia is within our reach.
About Alberts
Alberts is a 137-year-old family business that has played a vital role in the evolution of Australia’s media and popular culture since the early days of sheet music and music publishing through to the birth of commercial radio and television and the founding of the Australian pop and rock music industry.
