Academics have noted life-changing results from an Australian Chamber Orchestra program at one of the most disadvantaged primary schools in the state.
When six-year-old Rebel Nordsven began learning to play the cello earlier this year, she was barely big enough to hold the instrument upright.
Since 2018, though, all students from years 1 to 3 have begun each school day with 15 minutes of music practice guided by their classroom teacher, with the violins and cellos provided by the ACO. The performance was the culmination of five years’ work between the school and the ACO that has been followed closely by researchers and academics at the University of Sydney, who have tracked the impact it’s had on the school and its pupils.Their evaluation report has noted improvements in the pupils’ cognitive and academic abilities , emotional, physical and behavioural development and motivation at school.Students start playing a musical instrument before the age of seven.
“This program changes lives and opens doors our students didn’t know existed,” Parello said. “I would like to see more of this – and a change in the way music education is delivered in all public schools.”Dr Anita Collins, who was brought on as a music consultant to teach the primary teachers, none of whom had played a musical instrument before, said playing a musical instrument can make permanent beneficial changes to the structure and functioning of the brain at any age.
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