Planning your program

Find ways to collaborate

One of the great advantages of teaching music is that it is essentially a collaborative activity. Some people like to play an instrument by themselves for relaxation, to practice in the privacy of their bedrooms, or to perform solo. However, music creation, performance and certainly presentation usually happens with others. Audiences are essential participants in music education – peers, local community and online audiences will respond and motivate your students.

Structuring, planning, creating and strengthening your music learning program can be a fantastic opportunity to collaborate. Identify networks to link you, your school and your students to the broader Victorian, Australian and worldwide music-making community.

Join a network

Join (or start) a local music education network. Visit the web pages of some of the major music education organisations in Victoria, Australia and overseas. Find out which ones offer member benefits such as professional learning, access to online resources and conference discounts. Becoming part of the Australian network of teachers who are passionate about music can connect you to a supportive community and help you to find other schools, teachers, programs and learning tools to share and learn from.

Visit the locals

Make a list of music groups, organisations, businesses and other schools that have strong music learning programs within your local area. Invite them to your concerts as an initial way of meeting, and then explore other ways to collaborate if the relationship sparks some ideas.

Apply for Artist in School funding

Creative Victoria has a long-running grants program for schools to partner with an individual artist. Find a musician, composer or local sound artist who might be interested in working on a project with your students. It’s a great way of expanding skills, exploring new ways of making music and kick-starting longer-term music projects at your school.

Find a hero

A number of schools with highly regarded music learning programs offer support for schools developing their programs. With a little research you can take advantage of peer support and mentoring from another teacher or school leader, who can offer inspiration and on-the-ground coaching. Seek out the Musical Futures Champion Schools in Victoria that run training and professional learning sessions.

Get inspiration

Research and make a list of your own inspirational videos to show in the classroom to students. Find out about performances that are happening in your area and let the families in your school know about them so that you can share experiences of music out in the community. Successful musicians listen to, attend and view others work all the time – it informs and feeds your own musical and teaching practice.

Sign up for professional learning

Professional learning makes a huge difference for music teachers. Practical skills and knowledge about approaches, techniques, and using particular software, instruments or technical equipment can re-invigorate your teaching, expand music-making in the classroom and challenge you and your school to further excellence.

 

Creative Victoria

Musical Futures Champion Schools

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