The Song Room is a national not for profit organisation that works to bridge the gap in education through the use of music and arts in schools all across Australia.

During Education Week, The Song Room brings together a number of Melbourne schools to showcase their talents and what they have learnt through the program.

While watching the children perform it is clear to see their enjoyment singing and dancing as well as pushing them to break out of their shells and perform in front of a live audience. While performing in front of crowds is often a nerve wracking experience for kids, the support of their teachers and peers as well as the audience meant that each school was able to have fun during their performance, shaking off any nerves with their dance moves.

Different schools had programs tailored specifically to them with some singing, some dancing and some combining the two.

The songs were created in the classroom by the students and incorporated what they were interested in such as their love of animals and adventure, as well as important lessons such as eating fruit.

The children often had moves to suit the music; however one school had created a dance which they then taught to the audience.

The use of education through music and the opportunities that can arise in the arts was something that was reiterated through the performance of high school band Spacelove. The band encouraged the kids to continue with their music and showed a glimpse of their future if they do so.

With some of the schools coming from disadvantaged circumstances it was refreshing to see them given the opportunity to do what they love and get recognition for it. Teaching music has been proven to lift class attendance as well as increasing social and emotional wellbeing.

With such an upbeat, fun concert it is clear that The Song Room programs are successful in all the schools, and are fulfilling their aim of engaging young people through creativity.