Music improves creativity, a vital priority in today’s education context, to prepare students for the workplace of the future. Music overcomes cultural, social and language barriers and research shows that music education improves maths, literacy and social outcomes, bridging the divide between academic results of more privileged schools. Research demonstrates improvements in student attendance, engagement, alongside social and personal wellbeing.
The Western, North Western, and Riverina regions of NSW are experiencing significant and widespread drought and economic downturn. Additionally, the tremendous geographic size of this area creates significant access challenges for schools. This funding has been pivotal in ensuring that children from these remote and challenging regions access the music education that every child needs, with these performances often constituting a student’s only exposure to professional live music.
Musica Viva In Schools provides live music performances through a combination of highly engaging and interactive ensembles, teacher professional development and classroom resources designed to stimulate interest in music whilst assisting education outcomes.
The James N. Kirby Foundation has supported student participation fees to live performances from Musica Viva In Schools ensembles for over 14,000 students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Funding has also provided comprehensive online teacher professional development and classroom resources to fully prepare teachers and students.
Musica Viva is extremely grateful to the James N. Kirby Foundation for supporting music education in the Western, North Western, and Riverina regions of New South Wales.
Thank you!
Hywel Sims
Chief Executive Officer