Behind the 2009 Song

New! Behind-the-scenes footage of the songwriting session
New! Behind-the-scenes footage of the recording session

The 2009 song is 'The Music is Everything' written by four NSW high school students in a songwriting workshop with program Ambassador, John Foreman. The 2009 song writers are: Jasmine Johnston and Meriana Gyory from Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, James Lange from Barrenjoey High School and Katrina Ambrose from Westfield Sports High School. All students were recommended by the The Arts Unit of the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Each student received the brief in advance and was asked to come up with some ideas to take into the workshop with John. When they came together for the first time, each student played their ideas to the 'team'. John took a chorus idea from one, chord progressions for the bridge from another, melody for the verses from here and rhythm ideas from there. A change of feel for the chorus, some new lyrics.

One week later and the song came to life in the studio as other talented NSW secondary students came up with instrumental parts for the recording under the mentoring eyes and ears of some of Australia's best session musicians, Rex Goh (guitar), Gordon Rytmeister (drums) and Mark Costa (bass). The high school session musos on the recording are all active members of their school music programs as well as the programs of the Department of Education and Training's Arts Unit. The recording features: Abe Rounds on drums, Tim Sampson on bass, Richard Niall on keys and Paul Mason on guitars. Richard attends James Ruse Agricultural High School and the other musicians attend Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. All are members of the NSW Public Schools Jazz Orchestra. Lead singer Angel Tupai is in year 11 at Campbelltown High School of the Performing Arts - what a voice! And the Vocal Ensemble from Kiama High School in regional NSW, with music teacher Terry Wild, came up with their three part harmonies on the day. What pros!

Are you registered for 2010? Click here to register now

Last year's song was 'Sing!'. Simply go to the bottom of the 'For Teachers' page for access to all of last year's downloadable files, sheetmusic and arrangements.  Click here.