CRASHENDO!

Crashendo! is an El Sistema-inspired music education program currently at Laverton P-12 College, Victoria. El Sistema was founded by economist and musician Jose Antonio Abreu forty years ago in Venezuela, offering musical training for young people as a vehicle for positive social change. It has been shown to have a positive effect on participants, both socially and economically. The Inter-American Development Bank established that for every dollar spent on the program, it yields $1.34 in social dividends. Crashendo! was established with the El Sistema principles at its core, to provide a music program for Australian children.

Crashendo! students attend classes after school each week for orchestra and choir rehearsals. Under the guidance of highly skilled teaching artists they develop technical proficiency, confidence, a strong sense of belonging and pride in achievement. Crashendo! is free of charge to ensure accessibility. For many students, Crashendo! is the only opportunity to learn a musical instrument and play in an ensemble. Music is a vital aspect of a child’s learning as it provides opportunities for students to pursue excellence and explore creativity, identity and self-expression. The positive effect of Crashendo! extends beyond the children to their parents and the wider school community. Crashendo! students also perform regularly at school and in the community.

Crashendo! has collaborated with a number of organisations including Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School, The Song Room, Esther Lauretti’s Music School and Alex W Grant Violins. Students enjoy professional performances presented by Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne Recital Centre and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. These relationships provide a platform for knowledge transfer, raise awareness of our program in the community and inspire the kids to work even harder than they already do.

“I like to play because it makes me feel good and passionate to be free and I can let go and be lost. The more time I spend at Crashendo the more I feel like I am part of a family. It feels like I progress so much. And become a better person and smarter by the day.”
- Brie, violin.

Crashendo! was established as a partnership between Laverton P-12 College, Hobsons Bay City Council and Victoria Police Hobsons Bay.

For more information, please visit our website or Facebook.

Crashendo! gratefully acknowledges the support of a number of organisations and businesses.

Leading Note Music Education Inc
Laverton P-12 College
Hobsons Bay City Council
Hamer Family Fund
Besen Family Foundation
Matana Foundation for Young People
Danks Trust
Creative Victoria
Australia Council for the Arts
Cybec Foundation
R E Ross Trust
Foundation of Graduates in Early Childhood Studies
Country Women’s Association Altona
Australian Strings Association (AUSTA)
Hobsons Bay Community Fund
The Music Place
Bendigo Bank

In kind supporters

Alex W Grant Violins
Alex W Grant Violins generously donates time and resources to repair and upgrade our instruments. For more information about Alex W Grant Violins, please visit www.grantviolins.com.au

Bows for Strings
Victoria Police Hobsons Bay
Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB)
Leading Note Music Education
Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF)

Donations

If would like to make a donation to Crashendo! please visit our Give Now page.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.