Selected newsletter articles

Mal Hewitt, May 2003

We must keep providing the opportunities for kids to experience great music for its own sake.

I'M SORRY IF I'M BEING GLOOMY. ACTUALLY, NO I'M NOT

Graham Meale, November 2003

The future of school music education in Australia.

An interview with Heather Martin OAM, September 2002

The overall music standard of kids today seems to be less. We generally have to accept this. I find that hard. I don't know that I want to continue the struggle with the continued changes. I feel a sense of helplessness, looking at the future, particularly for small country public schools.

THINGS WERE DIFFERENT, FORTY YEARS AGO

Margaret England, December 2002

This was a time when you could give a class of Year 9 boys a simple aria from Don Giovanni and have them sing it with gusto.

DON'T MENTION THE CHOIR

Graham Meale, December 2002

Why is choir something that kids grow out of?

IN DEFENCE OF MUSIC

Ian & Colleen Bowles, April 1992

Reaction to the 1991 proposal to delete the mandatory hundred hours of music in NSW high schools.

WHY MRS PHILPOTT FEELS A BIT OF A FRAUD

Graham Meale, January 2000

She was determined not to say anything, though. She would be letting down music teachers everywhere if she revealed that nearly all the kids who do well in music in the HSC (well, 2-unit course 1 at least) owe it solely to their private teachers.

IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN FUNDING TO REVIVE THE MUSIC CAMP MOVEMENT ON THE NORTH COAST

Graham Meale, July 2001

Who's to say that the position of "school music teacher" will go on for ever? Ask yourself, honestly, if it were announced at your school that music were to be phased out as a subject and replaced by private instrumental and band tuition at extra cost, would there be blood on the streets?

JOANE'S BLESSED RELEASE

Joane Ajala, April 1994

Do you remember the scrapping of things that worked well? Things like a strong central leadership by respected musicians, a hierarchy through which outstanding young teachers could rise to become leaders themselves, the scrapping of excellent programs such as funded music camps, inspiring music in-service courses, and real help from music educators and advisers?

WHITHER MUSIC TEACHING?

Graham Meale, November 1990

It's September. You've just heard that nineteen have elected music for next year's junior elective. You haven't heard what magic number is needed to form a class. But you go in search of a list. Who are these nineteen budding Beethovens whose young and enquiring minds you will guide along the road to discovery?

A SILLY STORY

Graham Meale, October 1997

Imagine if maths were treated as shabbily in school curricula as music.

INTER-DISTRICT MUSIC CO-ORDINATOR'S CONFERENCE: ISSUES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Official record, August 1997

Conference participants unanimously agreed that music education in NSW public schools is in a state of decline.

CONFESSIONS OF A RETIRING MUSO

Brian Williamson, April 1990

I can't accept this insane idea that the longer kids are forced to stay at school the more educated they'll be. I can't accept this continual attack on standards that nowadays allows anyone who can write a sentence to be a star. I simply can't accept the sheer weight of mediocrity.

WHY WE HAVE A DUTY TO TURN KIDS OFF

Graham Meale, August 2003

It is assumed and never questioned that part of our job is to turn kids on to music. Of course it is. Not many others in a school will do it. It's certainly part of our raison d’être. But we have an equally important duty to turn kids off.