in 2017 we were commissioned by the Dandenong Ranges Music council (DRMC) to compose and record a song commemorating the 1919 "Penny Drive', where Victorian children gave their pennies to fund the rebuilding of the school in Villers-Bretonneux in France, destroyed in a bloody battle along with the entire town during World War 1.

In October we went to primary schools in Tecoma, Macclesfield and Kallista in the Dandenong Ranges, to workshop the project with students from Grades 3 to 6, and over the summer we composed and recorded the resulting composition 'Together Forever'.

We think this song could be a great addition to Anzac Day and/or Remembrance day celebrations. Like to listen to the song? Click here to watch an amazing video of Susie and Phil performing "Together Forever" It's on our homepage as well!

There is also a wonderful children's book written by Vicki Bennett called Two Pennies

After World War 1, a little boy called George, living in Victoria, Australia decides to work hard and raise two pennies to help build a school in Villers-Bretonneux, France. This town had been flattened by war and the school destroyed.

This is a powerful and poignant story about a little boy who, with courage, hope and perseverance, helped to build this school across the oceans.

A bond was forged between George and Villers-Bretonneux that was never broken.

George was one of many Victorian school children who raised money to build the Victoria School in France after World War 1. This is his story.

This book is personal for Vicki. Just before her father died, he pressed two pennies into her hands and asked her to take them to a little school in France.

If you'd like to know how to get a copy please contact us by email info@welcometomusic.net . They are $19.95 plus postage

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We are excited to announce that we will have a brand new website soon with all updated and improved functionality, making it even easier for you to navigate to where you want to go. With all new features, the new site will allow us to bring you even more great educational resources and value. All being well we hope to launch by mid year - so keep an eye out!!

It goes without saying we all would and we can show you how!

Join us for our exciting Early Childhood Music & Movement courses we are presenting in Melbourne, January 16^th – 20^th, 2018.

(Or you can participate online from anywhere in the world!)

Past participants in our Welcome to Music courses and PLAYshops know only too well just how valuable it is to immerse yourself in a supportive learning environment and come away more confident and inspired, equipped with the tools you need to make your music classes easy and fun – and help develop smarter kids in the process!

Research consistently links music and movement activities to supporting learning and development in early childhood education.

We know that music can activate the brain for learning; trigger positive emotion; enhance physical development; social skills; build self-esteem and confidence; aid wellbeing and self-regulation, and should be an important part of every high quality early childhood program. These courses include a range of delightful rhymes, games, songs, folk dances, creative movement, musical stories, world music, percussion instrument activities, drumming, recorders, ukuleles and creative play. The strategies contained in the courses will link to critical aspects of a child’s development and will inspire teachers and educators to embed quality musical activities and experiences into children’s programs. These courses are suitable for all educators working with young children – no prior music experience is necessary.

Turn the page to see what you will receive from attending….

Here’s what you will receive….

• An 8-week sequential and developmental program for babies and toddlers (0-3yrs)
• An initial 8-week program for 3 – 8 years that can be immediately implemented in your school or centre – equivalent to Term 1.
• An extended module program for Term 2.
• Orff thematic units
• Transition songs and activities
• New ways to enhance learning across the curriculum (EYLF, NQS and Australian curriculum – the Arts)

PLUS the following bonuses

1: Register for any previously uncompleted course and receive a $50 WTM resource voucher

2: Register and pay for the full 5-day course by the Early Bird cut-off date of 10^th November, and receive a $100 voucher

3: Refer someone who registers for the full 5-day course and receive a $100 WTM resource voucher

Done one of our courses previously?

Past participants of our Early Childhood courses also have the opportunity to attend a refresher of any courses already completed, and pay just 50% of the course fee! We cannot express how valuable this will be as re-visiting this material is a great way to cement ideas in your brain and give you added confidence in your teaching. We also extend to them an offer to register their interest in being a part of our Logistics team, to assist with set up/pack up/refreshments at these events, and attend selected courses for free.

Spaces are strictly limited so be smart and register now…

….and take advantage oif our ‘Early bird’ special

For further information regarding our training courses, and the course goals, please read the attached documents, or contact our office on 1300 769 803

(Limited scholarships are also available – please enquire)

Register now for our new courses in January 2018 -Super early bird rates now available for a limited time!

These courses include a range of delightful rhymes, games, songs, folk dances, creative movement, musical stories, world music, percussion instrument activities, drumming, recorders, ukuleles and creative play. An involvement in a music program helps to educate the whole individual – intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally and creatively. Children develop confidence, self-esteem, memory, language, communication, listening, concentration, social skills, fine and gross motor skills, imagination and self-expression, while building an excellent foundation for future musical pursuits. These courses are suitable for all educators working with young children – no prior music experience is necessary. Like to know more or to register and take advanatge of our 'super early bird' rates? Click here

As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations we are continuing with our '25 Weeks Of Giving' where you get the presents! Look out for announcements in our monthly editions of MusicNotes and on our Facebook page.

As well as fun weekly competitions for you and colouring competitions for your students to enter, we'll also be giving away a major prize for our 'best video' competition, so get those creative juices running! We'll be looking for the most creative entry by teachers and/or students, performing one of our songs.

For details on how to enter the video competition, and for the Entry Form and Video Release Form, please click here.

There is also a colouring competition for students of all ages, with prizes for 3-8 years and 9-14 years. Please click here for the entry form and info on how to access to the colouring pages

These competitions will be open to all recipients of our MusicNotes e-news, but there will be lots of fun giveaways on our Facebook page, so if you haven't already, make sure you click here and give our page a 'Like'. We'll also be taking a walk down memory lane and having a look at the highlights of each of those 25 wonderful years.

Have you registered yet for our FREE webinar series for 2017? Our next webinar on June 21st will take us into the wilds of Africa as we are 'Going on Safari' Join Susie and Phil as they present a variety of topics around music education, with the opportunity for you to interact and ask questions. Numbers are limited for these events so make sure you register early. Sessions run from 7.10pm to 8pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. Log in from comfort of your own home anywhere around the world!

All you need to do is click the link below to register. We'll send you the easy link to access the live program and get some wonderful insights — insights that make a real and lasting difference to your to your children and to their futures. And if you've already registered then just sit tight...we'll be sending you the link and login information shortly!

June 21st: Going on Safari theme (3-8 years)
Grab your sun hat, binoculars and hiking boots and join the exciting jungle safari!
To register for this webinar CLICK HERE

August 23rd: 'Your Stage - Creating positive connections'. (3-8 years) Inclusive opportunities for each individual to shine by providing simple musical connections and creating ‘special moments’ in a safe and nurturing environment.

To register for this webinar CLICK HERE

We are very excited to announce the long awaited release of our new Multimedia resource 'Black Belt Ukulele 1'. We have put this exciting new resource together with Ijam Music and we think you'll love it!

To view and order this new resource click here

So what is 'Black Belt Ukulele' exactly?

A unique developmental and sequential collection of classroom ukulele arrangements based on the Orff Schulwerk approach, this method follows a colour (‘Chroma-Notes’) and shape system – where chords are represented with colours and shapes as adhesive stickers on the ukulele as well as on the printed page. Open strings are also represented with colours. This system enhances memory, speeds up the learning process and enhances music reading skills.

Including arrangements of world music pieces with songs in different languages, traditional songs and newly composed songs especially for the ukulele as well as some of Susie and Phil’s original and popular pieces and arrangements from the 'Welcome to Music' Series, all adapted and modified for ukulele in various styles including jazz, blues, Latin, gospel etc., the repertoire is applicable for all early childhood and primary school educators to use in their classrooms and to teach to 6-12 year olds.

This is more than just a ukulele tutor – it is a complete music education program which builds skills for life! Learning the ukulele has never been easier, more fun and accessible to all.

To view and order this new resource click here

2017 will see the release of 'Black Belt Ukulele' 2 and 3 so stay tuned!