Selena Ayad had never heard of the cello before this week, but it’s about to become her daily companion.
The year 2 student and her classmates at Belle Vue Park Primary School in Melbourne’s north will start every school day for the next three years with a music lesson.
Australian Chamber Orchestra cellist Julian Thompson with year 2 student Selena Ayad. Credit: Jason South
“I felt so excited and nervous for when I’m going to play it,” said Selena, 7, after receiving her instrument.
The Glenroy school is the first in Victoria to take part in a program run by the acclaimed Australian Chamber Orchestra that aims to give students at low-socioeconomic schools the opportunity to learn a string instrument.
All of Belle Vue Park’s 60 grade 1 and 2 students have been given a violin or cello that they will practise playing daily for the next three years.
Classroom teachers will guide daily morning practice and an Australian Chamber Orchestra instrumental teacher will offer regular lessons. By the end of the year, the budding musicians will perform alongside the orchestra.
Principal double bass player Maxime Bibeau with year 2 student Jeyda Mahmut.Credit: Jason South
Principal violinist Helena Rathbone has already worked on the program with students at a western Sydney school and said the children’s progress had been heartwarming.
“It’s been amazing to see those kids at every beginning, how shy they were. Many were not so good at concentrating – to go from that level and stand on stage to play a little concert with us is quite extraordinary,” she said.
“I was the posh kid who played the violin, and I’m so grateful to have had that opportunity. But all these kids are going to have that opportunity, too, which is wonderful.”
The orchestra performed at the school on Monday and received a wild reception from the students, who then accepted their instruments directly from the musicians.
Principal Paul Kenna said it was a life-changing opportunity for the students, most of whom would not otherwise have had the chance to learn an instrument.
Almost 60 per cent of students at the school come from families in the lowest socio-educational advantage quartile.
“Kids love music, it’s intuitive to all of us, and it’s a nice calm way to start the day,” Kenna said.
“When you start your day with positive emotion, you’re more relaxed and open to learning.
Belle Vue Park Primary School students react to the orchestra’s performance. Credit: Jason South
“We think the concentration of kids and the self-discipline will be something that will bear fruit as well.”
An evaluation of the program, which has run for seven years at Sydney’s St Marys North Public School, found attendance rates jumped for classes that had daily music lessons.
University of Sydney researchers also found improvements in the pupils’ cognitive and academic abilities, including verbal and written communication skills and mathematical reasoning, their emotional, physical and behavioural development and motivation at school.
Australian Chamber Orchestra director of learning and engagement Tara Smith said the orchestra had long dreamed of expanding the program to more schools.
“We want to take out resources where there’s the greatest need, where kids wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to learn an instrument,” she said.
The program at Belle Vue Park Primary School has been funded by the University of Melbourne for five years.
Richard Kurth, director of the Melbourne Conservatorium at the university, said the institution wanted it to be a model to make music a part of daily learning for children around Victoria.
“We know from experience, music brings joy. Learning an instrument gives you fine motor control, focus, concentration, teamwork and then there’s the emotional joy of playing music with each other,” he said.
Australian Chamber Orchestra artistic director Richard Tognetti said it was the orchestra’s civic duty to provide children, particularly those from disadvantaged circumstances, with access to music and learning an instrument.
“The results are life-changing,” he said.
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