We’re all very excited at East Beechboro Primary School.  The kids and teachers have been singing the song all day long over the past few weeks.  We’ve had a couple of whole school rehearsals and the Choir is really fired up to be leading everyone tomorrow.  It’s a great song and it has caught on really well throughout the school.  Parents, community members, teachers and students will all be singing their hearts out tomorrow along with everyone else.  What a wonderful community project it has been.

Robyn Veitch, Music Teacher, East Beechboro Primary School, WA

Mt Dandenong Primary is a school of around 200 students, located in the beautiful hills outside of Melbourne. We have been learning the catchy tune over the last few weeks in music classes. Grade teachers have also rehearsed in class time and some have accessed the website with their students to gain a better understanding of the history of "Count Us In" and what other schools are doing. On Thursday we are having a whole school performance, whilst watching the live stream. We have added percussion and actions to the song and the children are excited that they will be a part of the biggest gig nationally this Thursday!

Debbie Leticq-Cromb, Music Teacher, Mt Dandenong Primary School, VIC

Hi just wanted to let you know how amazing the event will be for me. It isn't anything absolutely extraordinary but for me, it's going to be a unique and  special time to know that as I am  conducting my own school (Greenacre Public School, Sydney) at 11.30am my own two daughters, will be singing the same song at their school three suburbs away. They wanted me to be at their school supporting them but I had to explain to them that as a teacher, it's important for me to be at my school - particularly as it was my idea and I am conducting it (first time ever!!! and we have over 600 children).  So it is pretty special that my own children and I will be doing the same thing, same time but kilometres apart! What a great experience!

Tracy Sedman, Teacher, Greenacre Public School, NSW

Hello from Margaret River Primary School!  Not long now and we'll all be singing together. Our fabulous students and Staff have been participating in the preparations.  We've been playing "The Music Is Everything" over our school PA, singing and groovin' in the classrooms and the Music Room. 
The MRPS Senior Choir recently sang it with "gusto" at the Margaret River Agricultural Show, WA with Doopa Dog!  The SIMS have been rehearsing on their flutes, clarinets, trumpets and guitars.  Our Deputy and some of the upper students have their violins at the ready!! Our large school noticeboard on the busy highway promotes the day and time, inviting the local community to join in!  I thank our wonderful teachers, who are very supportive in their busy schedules. The students, teachers, parents and local community are able to listen and/or sing along to "The Music Is Everything" and read the lyrics on our school blog located on the Margaret River Primary School Website thanks to the support of another MRPS teacher. Rumour has it that a choir from nearby Augusta, may be joining us too! Two banners have been made to be displayed on the morning and the children will respond to the experience pictorially later in class.  Smaller posters have been displayed around the school.  A local paper is coming to photograph the children singing - it's all happening.
 
It's been great seeing what everyone's doing - amazing!  I look forward to implementing those ideas next year! Thank you for the opportunity!! Sing On!!

Helen Collis, Music Specialist, Margaret River Primary School, Margaret River, WA

Hawthorndene Primary School in South Australia, will be buddying up with our exchange school, South Hornby School in Christchurch , New Zealand. We hope to be able to view each other’s performances via skype!  As well, as singing Music is Everywhere at a whole school assembly, we will be videoing it to show over the net to other schools around Australia. The following week, our New Zealand buddies will be flying in for a week long visit. During this time, we both perform a half hour repertoire to each other, and to other schools. We hope to be able to sing a combined version of ‘The Music is Everything’ song.

Zita Sankauskas, Performing Arts Teacher, Hawthorndene P S, SA

Just as we did last year we have invited all out major feeder primaries to join with us on Thursday. We have seven schools joining us and look like having in excess of 600 students singing together! I have done some simple choreography for them and we have the TV, newspaper and local radio station coming along.  The radio are planning to record us and play it on Friday morning along with some interviews from participating students and teachers. I will send you the footage from the day together with some photos.

Kylie Morrish, Junior School Coordinator, Red Cliffs Secondary College, VIC

I know this is late, but here is what we’re doing at Mackellar PS... A whole school sing-along. (approx 680 students) Our concert band is playing along. A 5/6 group are dancing a contemporary routine. Here’s an excerpt of rehearsals for the dance. Cheers and well done! (MCUI - we will upload footage asap!)

Ginger Martin, Arts Coordinator, Mackellar Primary School, VIC

Every year level from Prep to year 7 is enjoying learning and rehearsing the song. We have invited parents to come and hear us sing it on the day and have encouraged the children to teach it to their parents and siblings. There is a lot of excitement about being involved in such a huge performance.

Ann Maree Lee, Music Teacher, Denison State School, Emerald, QLD

Saint Timothy's students are very excited to find their name on the list of participants
for the great event on Thursday. We will have a whole school assembly and encourage
the staff to sing along with us. Our Choir members are disappointed that we are not able to go to Federation Square this year but we are hoping that we might be able to go next year. Everyone loves the song. it is so easy to learn. We have added choralography. It will be a great day for music.

Lorraine Costa, Music Teacher, St Timothy's Catholic Community School, Vermont, VIC

Haberfield PS will have the whole school of 593 students singing accompanied by the Haberfield Orchestra, Recorder Ensemble & Parent Band, with choralography. Performance on Thursday Oct 22 hopefully will be outdoors, weather permitting at 11.30 am. Good luck!

David Collins-White, Music Teacher, Haberfield Public School, NSW