Digital resource kit for schools

A) We believe teachers are the best people to know how to customise resources for their particular students. As a result these resources are open to interpretation for different year levels and subjects. They are best for Years 5 - 10. They are divided up into four modules – 

• Collection – what it means to put together a collection and how you do it
• Music – writing music and lyrics over a range of genres, influences, music performance
• Design – costume design, poster design, set design, merch design
• Music Journalism – writing about music, fanzines, magazines and online

You can couple these resources with a visit to the Australian Music Vault if you wish. Each module has pre-visit, during visit, post-visit and stand alone tasks. You can cherry pick and customise tasks and activities you feel would benefit your students.  Don’t feel too restricted by these titles however (eg. pre and post visit), perhaps you would still find them useful even if you’re not visiting the exhibition.

Feel free to browse through the collection of resources and any queries can be directed to schools@artscentremelbourne.com.au

A) The easiest way to make an audio recording is with a phone. Good apps to use are – 

• iPhone or iPad - Voice Memo (Free, comes with iPhones), Voice Recorder HD ($2.99), Just Press Record ($7.99)
• Android – Audio Recorder (Free), Easy Voice Recorder (Free or $3.99), Hi-Q (Free or $3.49)

Most of these type of apps allow you to export your audio recordings to email, Dropbox or Google Drive.

You can also record with more advanced audio editing programs if you have access to them. For example Audacity, Acid Music Studio, Mixcraft, Garageband, Logic or Reaper. This way students could also add music or sound effects to their voice recordings or add other parts or beats to their musical recordings.

A) Much of the material used in these resources and the Australian Music Vault exhibition is under copyright. As a result it is not possible to provide downloads of all material, only to link out to the examples. This brings into play issues for schools who are unable to use YouTube and other such resources. Please consider asking for an exception to a YouTube block at your school and either keeping the comments off your screen, or using a comments blocker such as this one for Chrome

A) In most countries, whenever we make or create anything, we own the copyright for it. Copyright is a law that says that people can’t copy, change or use your work unless you allow them to. In Australia, copyright on a work lasts for 70 years after the death of the person who makes it. More information can be found at the Australian Copyright Council.

This is great because it means that someone can’t steal your work or use it to make themselves money. But sometimes it can also be restrictive, and people would rather put out their creative work in a way that lets others reproduce, remix or adapt it.

This is where Creative Commons comes in. Creative Commons is a company that allows creators to license their work with different legal licences that allow them to share their work with less restrictions. You can choose a licence here.

In these resources there is some material that is Creative Commons Licensed. Please read the licenses carefully and act accordingly. If students create material themselves, consider licensing it under Creative Commons for others to use.

A) If you are bringing a school group in to see the exhibition, information can be found here. Consider coupling your visit with a workshop at The Channel. More information is here, or email schools@artscentremelbourne.com.au 

The exhibition you’ll see is divided up into overarching themes –

• Two Way Traffic - This area will explore the impact that a constant ebb and flow of artists in and out of the country has had on the development of Australian music. Australia’s music scene has been significantly enriched by the contribution of its First Peoples and by musicians from all over the globe who have made Australia home.


• The Wild Ones - Highlighting innovation and improvisation in the Australian music industry from handmade instruments and recording equipment to role models and indie label stars.


• The Real Thing - This area will explore whether or not there really is an “Australian Voice” by looking at musical influences, lyric composition and the impact of performance venues on the Australian ‘sound’. It will celebrate the contribution of hit makers and heroes and will also highlight the contributions of lesser known but equally influential performers and industry personnel.


• Agents of Change - This area will explore the role music plays in responding to and affecting change in society. It will touch on areas as diverse as Indigenous rights, the environment, the role of women, racism, politics and the fight to save live music in Australia.


• Mushroom 50 – Explore the 50th anniversary of the Mushroom Group, Australia’s largest independent music and entertainment company.


• Aria Hall of Fame – Come honour the artists, writers and producers who have created some of our greatest recorded music.


• Strength in Sound – Discover how music unites people as communities and generations come together to form a sense of identity and belonging.

A) Yes!

Collection Pre-Visit

• Contemplate and Discover Questions
• Task 1 – What is a collection?
• In Depth – Angus Young

Collection Post-Visit 

• Task 1 – Capture a collection
• Task 2 – Become a curator

Collection Stand Alone 

• Project 1 – Your ARIA Hall of Fame Nomination
• Project 2 – Put yourself in her place / An Exhibition of Me

Music Pre Visit

• Contemplate and Discover Questions
• Task 1 – Music Vocabulary 
• Task 2 – Listen to Australian Music
• Task 3 – Sharing the music
• Task 4 – Preparing to write lyrics
• In Depth – Helen Reddy

Music Post Visit

• Task 1 - Covers
• Task 2 – Remix a song

Music Stand Alone

• Project 1 – Making a music video
• Project 2 – What makes music Australian?
• Project 3 - Songwriting

Design Pre Visit

• Contemplate and Discover Questions
• Task 1 – Experimenting with Texture and Pattern
• Task 2 – Experimenting with Shape
• Task 3 – Album cover of the year
• In Depth – Ian McCausland

Design Post Visit

• Task 1 – Finding Inspiration
• Task 2 – Poster Design

Design Stand Alone

• Project 1 – Talent + WHAT = Fame?
• Project 2 – Build a band

Music Journalism Pre Visit

• Contemplate and Discover Questions
• Task 1 – Writing a Music Review
• Task 2 – Industry Investigation
• In Depth – Molly Meldrum

Music Journalism Post Visit

• Task 1 – Artist Interview
• Task 2 – Making a Music Podcast
• Task 3 – Extended Response
• Task 4 – 6 o’clock rock NFSA module

Music Journalism Stand Alone

• Project 1 – Extended Response
• Project 2 – Making a fanzine