Many, many voices but only One Song

Students at Warragul North Primary School took part in Australia’s largest school music participation program last week.

The Music Count Us In program saw students from every corner of the country take part to sing the same song on the same day at the same time, with more than 3000 schools and more than half-a-million students involved..

Student songwriter Abby Keenan co-wrote the song ‘One Song’ with four other student songwriters from New South Wales and Queensland.

The music advocacy and participation initiative has been steadily growing since 2007, with more than 660,000 students from more than 3000 schools taking part in the concept last year.

The program provides students and teachers with the opportunity to develop their music skills and simultaneously perform with schools around the country in a celebration of music and music education.

MCUI not only gives children of all ages free access to music education, but also delivers music professional development to classroom teachers.

International research has demonstrated that children who learn music and arts have improved educational, social and personal outcomes.

The program drew comment from Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

“Music can enrich and inspire, evoking passion and challenging the way we think.

“The National Celebration Day is a great opportunity to highlight this gift, as students across Australia come together to sing ‘the song that stops the nation’.

“I encourage as many schools as possible to get involved and draw inspiration from music’s unifying power.”