Music education for kids is top of Alberts agenda for next generation

Alberts, the world-famous Sydney-based music company, plans to ensure all Australian primary children’s access to quality music education.

This follows the release of a study, Music Education: A Sound Investment, which reveals a large proportion of primary school children have little or no access to music education.

The report was commissioned by the 135-year-old family business – home of AC/DC, The Easybeats and John Paul Young – through its philanthropic arm, The Tony Foundation.

The foundation was set up in 2012 by the family – once regularly included in BRW’s list of the 50 wealthiest Australian families – to improve the lives of young Aussies through music.

Alberts plans to use the report to initiate changes, working with like-minded organisations across the music industry, education and philanthropy.

Executive director Ingrid Albert said the business has always believed in the power of music.

“That passion is driving this new endeavour that aims to see every Australian primary school student having access to quality, sequential and ongoing music education they need and deserve,” she said.

“Our challenge is to ensure that changes in policies, investment and practices actually deliver a music education that benefits and improves the educational experience of all school children.”

The report outlines how music education provides significant development help for children.

These include improving learning capacity, social skills and personal wellbeing; supporting reading and numeracy skills and boosting academic performance in English, maths and science; increases attention, stamina and focus; heightens empathy and valuing of diversity; and decreases stress and anxiety.

Scholar and music educator, Dr Anita Collins, who led the research on the study, said the report confirms that music has positive benefits for children of all ages.

“It points to the dangers of ignoring music education during primary school years because we believe these are the most critical years in maximising the developmental and learning benefits.

“A quality, sequential music education in the primary years offers the building blocks not just for more advanced music education but for learning more broadly,” she said.