The Voyage of Musical Discovery music education series was established and designed by the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra and its founding artistic director and world-renowned educator, the late Richard Gill. Part concert and part demonstration, Voyages are a unique way to explore music from the past and present in a new light.
The Voyage of Musical Discovery is closely aligned with the national and state music curriculums. Each Voyage features Classical or Romantic repertoire alongside new Australian music, primarily by female composers. By placing Australian music written in the last 25 years alongside earlier works, listeners are shown the many compositional links and similarities in structure, tonality, rhythmic function, orchestration and modes of expression between old and new music.
Since 2018, over 6,000 secondary school music students from Greater Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and regional New South Wales and Queensland have attended the Voyage of Musical Discovery education programs presented by the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra.
Each Voyage presentation comes with a free, downloadable Education Kit, written by musician and educator Charles MacInnes. The kits identify common elements between historical and contemporary music, guiding participants to design their own collaborative works in the classroom and in ensembles. Drawing on the latest research in the field of historically informed performance, students learn that the lines between the styles and centuries are not as distinct as often assumed and – most importantly – that the modern musician is equal parts collaborator, designer and improviser. By making music rather than doing it, a whole world of insight and discovery awaits.
Curious about what to expect?
Jane McIntosh, Head of Performing Arts K-12 at Nowra Anglican College says of the NSW program:
"The concerts address the NSW curriculum outcomes directly and provide resources that immerse students in Composition, Performance and Aural activities…(They) expose students to valued cultural experiences, engaging discussions and excellent support materials that have students and teachers feeling confident and excited about Music."
Stephanie Holmes, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, attended the 2022 Voyage programs with her students:
“I am very happy with the content – the Voyages this year enhanced my students’ study of topics in the classroom – their feedback was very positive... The kits are quite comprehensive and detailed – lots of teaching ideas and resources!”
Watch this little taster of our Voyage of Musical Discovery music education program where we explore Cultural & Historical Contexts.
“We teach music because it is unique and good. We teach music so that children can make their own music. We teach music because it acts in a unique way on the heart, mind, soul and spirit of the child, stimulating thought and imagination in very special ways. These are the real reasons for teaching music.”