The Allan Labor Government is supporting the next generation of songwriters to achieve their wildest dreams, with new funding to give students a taste of the craft in high schools.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks today announced a boost to the Labor Government’s songwriting in schools program, SongMakers by APRA AMCOS.
More than 1,400 students across 60 high schools in Victoria are set to learn songwriting in the classroom and connect with the music industry, helping young songwriters to get the skills they need for the job they want. The SongMakers program also covers valuable tips for working in the music industry, music production, creative songwriting techniques and intellectual property.
Local artists and experts from within the music industry will visit schools in person to teach Victorian students the art and help them tap into their own musical talents.
In-person workshops will be available for students in years 10 to 12 in partnership with Virtual School Victoria and regional students will be offered the chance to participate in a songwriting school holiday program.
A pilot program, tailored to schools offering flexible learning, will ensure all students get the opportunity to try the craft. Standout songwriters will be given the chance to produce and perform their own original songs under the guidance of mentors and music industry organisations The Push and Music Victoria.
Fans from far and wide descended on Melbourne this week as the nation’s major events capital welcomed 14-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.
Taylor started as a country music songwriter and this week performed in front of her largest ever crowds with over 85,000 fans for three consecutive nights at the MCG – cementing Victoria’s reputation for the best event calendar in the country.
SongMakers is open to all Victorian secondary schools – those wishing to participate can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) at
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks
“As the country’s creative state we are investing in the next generation of musical talent, giving students opportunities who otherwise might not get the chance – or to paraphrase Taylor, helping to uncover something more, searching for a sound we hadn’t heard before.”
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport, Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“Melbourne is Taylor-made to host major events like this, which provide a significant boost to our economy and capture the imagination all Victorians – everyone’s a Swiftie this weekend.”
“These concerts build on Victoria’s international reputation as the major events capital of Australia, as Swift joins a bumper line-up of music events in February including the St Kilda Festival and Pink.”
As stated by APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston
“Australian contemporary music is fast becoming the nation’s biggest cultural export. At the heart of this export story is the songwriter and the intellectual property in the song. With this investment, Victoria is set to lead the way for the nation in growing this story of global success.“
