@Normal:Mount Evelyn Primary School students Annalise Carden, Ella Thirlwell, Keely Menky and Ally Stone won a first place award at the Australian Children’s Music Foundation National Songwriting competition. 57993 Picture: Donna Oates
By Russell Bennett
MOUNT Evelyn Primary School students have struck a chord with their songwriting ability, winning a first place award in the 2010 Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF) National Songwriting competition.
The school, led by students Ally Stone, Keely Menke, Annalise Carden and Ella Thirlwell won the category three award with their masterpiece I Have a Face Like a Chook.
Former Midnight Oil front man, now federal Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth Peter Garrett played an active role in judging the winning entries.
“I’m pleased my department supports the ACMF’s National Songwriting Competition,” Mr Garrett said.
“The competition is important because it provides the opportunity for creative expression and lifts our spirits.
“We’ve got some talented students in our schools and the competition gives them a chance to have their music heard by leading professionals in the music industry.”
Australian music personalities Paulini, Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson, Mark Gable and Peter Northcote also helped determine the winners.
Music teacher Matt Stone guided the Mount Evelyn Primary students through his songwriting tuition program.
“It takes kids on a magical journey, opening their imaginations, giving kids an opportunity to explore and express their emotions, to share their message to the world through music,” he said.
“You will be amazed by the depth of thought, the sense of fun and humour, the imagination and the deep understanding our children express through the wonderful medium of songwriting.”
Mr Stone’s program releases an annual CD called Kids Plugged In – a compilation of 25 professionally recorded songs which Mount Evelyn Primary School students wrote throughout the year.
The CD is sold through the school and all proceeds raised are used to purchase musical equipment for the school.
Mount Evelyn Primary School also came away with a number of other awards in the ACMF competition.
Brooke Clark, Charlotte Avina and Monique Halligan placed second in category two with their moving piece Sad Little Girl, and were also awarded Highly Commended in the Peace Believer category for their song Peace and Quiet.
Matilda Kelly, Emma Darke, Mia Cummins and Nikita Azzopardi were awarded second place in category three with their song Fruit Salad.
