Go to top of page

Music education professional development packages

On this page

The Music Education Strategy provides professional development (PD) and learning packages for South Australian Government classroom teachers, preschool educators and leaders each year. The packages are most suitable for educators working in the primary and early years, but are also open to secondary educators.

Collaborating with external music associations, the music education professional development packages focus on upskilling and enhancing confidence and capacity to deliver music education.

Professional development courses

The Music Education Strategy provides foundation level PD courses and funds registration costs for intermediate/continuing courses for those wishing to further develop their existing skills.

In 2023 the following packages are being offered.

Foundation courses

  • The strategy will fund 5.0 TRT release days for successful applicants, with the school or preschool expected to fund the remaining 1.0 TRT release day.
  • The strategy will fund 1 Saturday workshop that is facilitated by your course provider.
  • Attendees are expected to formally share their learnings with colleagues at their sites. This supports the strategy’s vision of sustainability and transferability.
  • Applicants must attend all training days and a minimum of 1 Saturday workshop to receive their PD certificate.

Intermediate/continuing courses

  • The strategy will fund the registration fees only.
  • Attendees are expected to formally share their learnings with colleagues at their sites. This supports the strategy’s vision of sustainability and transferability.
  • Applicants must attend all training days to receive their certificate.

Regional subsidy

  • An additional 2.0 TRT days subsidy will be provided to successful applications from regional areas (excluding Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide Plains) for foundation packages only.

How to apply

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for 2023 are now closed.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome before the end of term 1, 2023.

For enquiries, call 8226 1537 or email education.musicstrategy@sa.gov.au.

About the 2023 packages

The external providers are:

A key part of each professional development package is networking and reinforcing learning.

Presenter biographies will be available soon.


Foundation package 1 – Music, Can Do!

Provided by: Australian Society for Music Education SA Chapter (ASME).

This course is for: Preschool educators, generalist primary school teachers with an interest in delivering music as part of a learning program.

Assumed knowledge: There is no assumed prior musical knowledge or experience for this package.

Structure: 6 full days.

Dates:

  • Tuesday 1 August and Wednesday 2 August
  • Tuesday 8 August and Wednesday 9 August
  • Tuesday 15 August and Wednesday 16 August

Venue: Adelaide West Uniting Church, 312 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Brooklyn Park.

Presenter: Marian Woodlands.

Workshop dates and location: Term 3 or 4, to be confirmed.

Description: ‘Music – Can Do!’ aims to upskill preschool and primary generalist teachers and develop their confidence to use music within their classroom setting. Participants will be actively involved in engaging and fun music activities through singing, using chants and poems, moving, creating and the playing of instruments. The package will make use of learning principles and processes that can be applied to any school or preschool class, and participants will learn a range of songs that can be used to develop student knowledge and skills in music. Participants will be provided with detailed notes that can be used as a ready resource and will incorporate ways of planning and organising music, sample lessons, lesson planning and assessment.


Foundation package 2 – Musical Foundations

Provided by: Kodály SA.

This course is for: Music specialists, preschool educators, generalist primary school teachers with an interest in delivering music as part of a learning program.

Assumed knowledge: Some experience learning or teaching music previously would be an advantage, but not essential.

Structure: 1 x 5 day consecutive block and 1 x day online delivery.

Dates: 29 May to 2 June (in person) and 15 June (online day).

Venue: Adelaide University, Elder Con, Hartley Building.

Presenter: Jason Boron and Stephanie Eaton.

Workshop dates and location: Dates and venue to be advised.

Description: This professional learning package is targeted for educators working in the primary and early years interested in upskilling in the area of music. The 5-day intensive face to face has 4 sessions each day: Musical Readiness and Pedagogy with Jason Boron (there will be a division into Early years and Primary Pedagogy strand if needed) and Musical Leadership and Musical Immersion with Stephanie Eaton. Participants will be upskilled in the importance of music for children and explore strategies for teaching using developmentally and culturally appropriate songs, rhymes, and instrumental music. Throughout the package, participants will reflect on the development of their own skills and share in the joy, wonder and holistic benefits that learning music can bring to young children. The online day is for reflection and sharing of practice.


Foundation package 3 – Introduction to Creative Music Education

Provided by: Orff-Schulwerk Association of South Australia (OSASA).

This course is for: Preschool educators, generalist primary school teachers with an interest in delivering music as part of a learning program, specialist music teachers.

Assumed knowledge: Some experience learning or teaching music previously would be an advantage, however not necessary.

Structure: 3 x 2 day blocks.

Dates: 15 and 16 May, 29 and 30 May, 13 and 14 June.

Venue: Unley Park Baptist Chuch (Northgate Street, Unley Park).

Presenters: Joanna Patrick, Susan Marshall, Kirrabelle Lovell, Kristie Fudge, Maria Stone and Michael McConnochie.

Workshop dates and location: Dates and venue to be advised.

Description: This training will introduce participants to creative music education with Orff Schulwerk, a practical and fun approach to teaching music and movement. The approach is focused on the learner, making it collaborative and accessible for all students. Participants will start with speech and body percussion progressing through to playing games, singing, moving, playing instruments and creating. Participants will be able to use and adapt the material presented to their own students and will be given time for feedback and support. Notes will be provided which will explain learning activities, give suggestions for lesson planning and demonstrate links to the Australian Curriculum.


Intermediate/continuing package 1

The following are Australian Kodaly Certificate (AKCSA 22) courses. In 2023, the following level courses are available for registration:

  • Early Childhood L2
  • Early Childhood L3/Primary L1 (same course)
  • Primary L2
  • Primary L3
  • Secondary L1
  • Secondary L2

For more information about the curriculum and expectations of these courses, visit the Kodaly SA website.

Provided by: Kodály SA.

This course is for:

  • educators with some experience in delivering music
  • preschool, primary and secondary teachers who want to explore Kodály pedagogy
  • participants who have completed the 2020, 2021 or 2022 foundation packages and meet the assumed knowledge criteria.

Assumed knowledge: participants need to be able to read and write basic formal notation (rhythmic and melodic) and have a basic understanding of music theory. Visit the Kodaly SA website for a full list of requirements.

There is the opportunity to attend levels courses in Early years L2 and Primary L1 with very limited musicianship, but the applicant needs to be aware that they will be placed in a musical readiness class and not Musicianship 1. These candidates will receive a partial certificate.

Structure: 2 x 5 day intensive course.

Dates: 10 to 14 July 2023 and 2 to 6 October 2023 (2 October is a public holiday).

Venue: Brighton Secondary School 305 Brighton Rd, North Brighton SA 5048.

Payment: funds will be transferred through the site RES when participants are selected.


Intermediate/continuing package 2

Provided by: Orff-Schulwerk Association of South Australia (OSASA). 
This is a nationally accredited course.

This course is for:

  • primary and preschool educators with some experience in delivering music
  • preschool, primary and secondary teachers who want to explore Orff pedagogy.

Assumed knowledge: participants need to be able to read and write basic formal notation (rhythmic and melodic) and have a basic understanding of music theory. Please visit the OSASA website for a full list of requirements.

Structure: 5 day intensive course.

Dates: 3 to 7 October.

Venue: Unley Primary School.

Payment: Funds will be transferred through the site RES when participants are selected.


Connections to the Australian Curriculum (foundation to year 2) and Early Years Framework

Each package has been prepared to connect with the Australian Curriculum, the Early Years Framework and Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in various ways. Curriculum in South Australia – from early years to year 12 provides more information.

Music Education Strategy

Phone: 8226 1537
Email: education.musicstrategy [at] sa.gov.au