05 July 2021
Hundreds of Kwinana students have benefitted from a music education program that helps develop life skills and improve academic results, according to a new report.
West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s Crescendo program, launched in 2015, provides weekly classroom music lessons to all students from Pre-Primary to Year 6 at Medina Primary School and North Parmelia Primary School.
Students in Years 4 to 6 also receive violin lessons and have the opportunity to participate in a string ensemble.
A new case study report recently released, conducted by an independent consulting firm, has highlighted the program’s positive outcomes in providing a strong basis for future success at school.
It found benefits of the program included improvements in student confidence, goal setting, and decision-making, which was likely to lead to greater academic performance.
The program also helped foster a sense of inclusion and community belonging.
Medina Primary School Principal Karen Davey said the students had a remarkable increase in confidence.
“During the music lessons, the students are happy to take a risk with their learning and if they make a mistake it is not a big deal in the WASO classroom,” she said.
“They are supported all the way. That confidence has transferred over into other learning areas.”
North Parmelia Primary School Principal Peter Elsegood said there had been an improvement in academic results since Crescendo was introduced.
“The most significant change is the school’s improved academic results...and the reason these results have come about, is the implementation of the school’s improvement program, complemented by Crescendo,” he said.
WASO chief executive Paul Shannon said play-based learning programs for young children, such as Crescendo, provided a strong basis for future success at school.
“Students engaging with and playing music have improved school attendance, accelerated learning and more confidence to face challenges and create solutions,” he said.
“They are generally happier young people who are more connected with their community. And, happier young people grow up to be more resilient adults with brighter futures.”