Music to the ears at Frankston North Primary Schools.
Our Place Frankston North has been filled with rhythm, melody and joy as students from Prep to Year 6 took part a Jam Workshop with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Thanks to a partnership between Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO), Our Place and the Hansen Little Foundation, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra In Your Neighbourhood program, led by MSO Artist in Residence, Karen Kyriakou, alongside six MSO musicians, visited Aldercourt Primary School and Mahogany Rise Primary School.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra In Your Neighbourhood program is a months-long program by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, which engages communities around the Frankston and Mornington area, and is proudly supported by the Hansen Little Foundation.
The workshops were designed to be inclusive, interactive, and joyful. Students explored orchestral music through hands-on activities, learning about rhythm, dynamics, and the stories behind iconic works like Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite and Bizet’sCarmen.
“Melbourne Symphony Orchestra In Your Neighbourhood is all about bringing the Orchestra directly to Victorian communities. Seeing the Mahogany Rise students embrace our music with such energy, curiosity and excitement is exactly why this program exists. We’re proud to work alongside local schools, communities and partners to ensure every Victorian – wherever and whoever they are – can share in the joy and inspiration that music brings.”
Richard Wigley, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra CEO
The collaborative musical journey was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Partnership Manager, Rosie Silva, and Community Facilitator, Melissa Rigby, from Our Place Frankston North, who worked closely with the MSO to ensure the program was accessible to every child at Mahogany Rise and Aldercourt Primary Schools, regardless of background.
“Music has the power to connect, uplift, and inspire”, says Silva.
“Our goal was to make sure every student at Mahogany Rise could experience that magic firsthand, and thanks to the MSO, they did.”
“This is what partnership looks like – bringing world-class experiences to local schools and making sure no child misses out.”
Rosie Silva, Our Place Frankston North Partnership Manager
The MSO incursion was run at Mahogany Rise Primary School in Term 3 and at Aldercourt Primary School in Term 4. The days was carefully structured with three workshops each, tailored to different age groups. Every student received a percussion instrument and played alongside the MSO ensemble. Teachers joined in too, making music with their students – some for the very first time.
Principal of Mahogany Rise Primary School, Jack Mazurek, said this was a wonderful opportunity for our students to link real-world experiences to music.
“[Students] will reflect on today’s experience for the rest of their lives.“
The MSO incursion complemented the way we are teaching at Mahogany Rise Primary School, applying the principles of the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0.
And the best part was it was all completely free for the students. Thanks to the generous support of the Hansen Little Foundation, all equipment, instruments, and expertise were donated, removing financial and logistical barriers for the school.
