we can all make music

local vocals

What a school could do for/with community music-making

Singing and dancing together - the foundation of becoming community

'Research proves' that social activities like singing, dancing, eating and playing together provide the practical experience through which we learn to enjoy being and working with others.

It is now widely recognised that disconnectedness is the primary cause of deteriorating wellbeing in communities. Developing connection has to be a key priority for schools. A positive and fruitful initiative can be to encourage everyone associated with the school to sing together regularly. There are some simple steps. First:

Recognise, honour and support what's actually going on already

Know what group singing is happening within your school and give it respect. Then, there is a range of

Specific actions that can be taken

Arrange for a demonstration of how sessional singing can work for you
Subsidise attendance by your teachers at group singing training sessions (and perhaps even find a way to help parents and senior students do the same)
Create a School singing leader position to lead regular sessions of group singing throughout the year
Encourage sessional singing to become a regular part of classroom activities
Introduce group singing into the regular procedures of staff meetings and school gatherings
Encourage and support your teachers to form their own workplace singing group
Encourage the development of group singing opportunities that engage students, teachers, parents and the wider community
Make your school freely available for sessional singing (covering costs of public liability insurance, volunteer insurance, promotion etc where possible)
Sponsor inter-generational, inter-school and community-wide big sings
Sponsor gatherings of teachers in your region for the exchange of repertoire
Make a repertoire CD of student favourites
Promote local group singing opportunities through the school's media

And there's help

We (CMV) offer training, advice and connections in all aspects of facilitating the collaborative music-making activities of Victorians. Please give us a call