Member for Werribee Tim Pallas today announced Iramoo Primary School will receive funding to purchase new musical equipment.

Grants of up to $5000 have been awarded to 43 Victorian schools under Round One of the Musical Instrument Grants program.

Iramoo Primary School has a well developed Performing Arts program and is now involved in the Department of Education & Training’s ‘Musical Futures’ program.

This grant will help to fund the electronic equipment for Musical Futures including electric drum kits and bass guitars and mixers.

The school plans to repair, replace and upgrade their existing stock of keyboards, guitars and ukuleles and subsidise the cost of recorders for Grade 3 students so that they each can have their own.

Across Victoria, instruments can now be purchased with the grants. These instruments include 24 pianos and keyboards, 34 guitars, 14 drum kits, 13 ukuleles, 8 amplifiers, 7 xylophones, 6 glockenspiels and a range of classical instruments including two flutes, a violin, a cello, a trumpet and a trombone.

They will also be used to buy African, Koorie, and Tibetan instruments as well as up-to-date electronic music equipment including 8 amplifiers, 3 PA systems, 5 mixers, speakers, iPads and computer software.

The grants are part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $2 million Music in Schools election commitment, which will also provide professional training for hundreds of Victorian teachers so that schools without strong, school wide programs can establish quality music programs.

The second round of grants will be available in 2017.

Research shows that music study is good for brain development as well improving reasoning ability, communication skills and attention levels.

The scheme contributes toward meeting the Education State target of more students reaching the highest levels of achievements in the arts.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“Research shows exposure to music education results in better grades, better results and better attendance.”

“That’s why on top of providing more than 270 instruments to schools that need them we are bringing music lessons to every Victorian school so no child misses out.”

“I hope students have fun making music with these new instruments and that some of them go on to become part of our State’s bright, creative future.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas

“We’re building the Education State right here in Wyndham! This grant will ensure that students of Iramoo will be more engaged at school as they now have the tools to develop their musical skills.”