When regional school teachers heard Adelaide University’s Elder Conservatorium was offering free workshops it was music to their ears.

Key points:

  • The Open Music Academy tours provides professional development for teachers as well as demonstrations for students
  • Teachers say the program could help not only to awaken a passion, but show there’s a career in it
  • The workshops include demonstrations and a composition exercise

St Joseph’s School Renmark assistant principal Michael Slagter said research supported the benefits of music education.

But finding ways to bring that into the classroom, especially in a regional school, had been a challenge.

“We run a pretty good visual arts program, but music is one of the things we look at how we could incorporate into the school,” Mr Sklagter said.

Emily Dollman demonstrated the violin to the students.(

ABC Riverland: Sam Bradbrook

)

Opening pathways

Launched in 2018, the Open Music Academy outreach program aims make the conservatorium’s resources more widely available.

Last week it visited 10 schools in Clare, Burra, Waikerie, Renmark, Berri and Loxton with its big band, giving workshops and performances.

Earlier this year it toured the Flinders and Mid North regions.

“The students don’t often get to see a big band,” Mr Slagter said.

Mr Slagter said that while music education offered a lot of transferable skills, for some students the visit could open their eyes to a possible career path.

“All the performers were people who started in primary school once and followed a dream, so they can see, if they really love music, there’s paths they can take,” he said.

The students were also excited by what they heard.

“I liked the saxophone because it was loud and took over everything,” St Joseph’s Renmark student Harry said.

Fellow student Sienna preferred the piano, which she has been learning, and enjoyed the performance.

Open Music Academy’s Julian Farraretto plays a piece he helped compose with St Joseph’s students.(

ABC Riverland: Sam Bradbrook

)

‘Buddy system’

Emily Dollman is the head of music education and pedagogy at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music and the artistic director of the Open Music Academy.

She said bringing conservatorium students on the tour provided role models for primary and secondary students.

“They partner with them side by side — they share their own musical journey and practice tips,” Dr Dollman said.

The tour included a professional development workshop for teachers.

“It’s about linking in with the wonderful community of music educators we have across the state and also aiming to give more support and confidence to general primary classroom teachers to include music in their teaching,” Dr Dollman said.

The school workshops included the opportunity to create a new piece of music in the space of an hour.