06 Jun 2017 The Free Press, Kilmore, VIC (General News) SEYMOUR College students will be hitting high notes thanks to a grant of $5000 to purchase percussion instruments and resources to rock out at school. Seymour College is one of 44 recipients of the second and final round of the Musical Instruments Grants program. Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, said that giving Seymour College students the chance to try out a musical instrument is money well spent. The grant is helping Seymour College develop and run quality music programs for their students and who knows maybe the school can unearth the next Australian rock or pop star, Ms Symes said. Seymour College will now be able to provide more opportunities for students to develop musical skills while learning and having fun. More than 2000 instruments including keyboards, violins, trumpets, flutes and drums will be on their way to Victorian students, as a result of the program. The program has given eligible schools the chance to apply for grants of up to $5000 to buy musical instruments. Last years Musical Instruments Grants program was a resounding success with schools receiving grants to go towards new instruments for their students including pianos, guitars, ukuleles and xylophones. The grants are part of the $2 million Music in Schools initiative, which will also provide professional training for hundreds of Victorian teachers so that schools can establish quality music programs. Research shows that exposure to music and music education enhances student engagement and wellbeing, improves academic performance and literacy results and builds personal and social development. Unfortunately, not all students in Victoria have access to a musical instrument or music education both of which can be very expensive or even unavailable in rural areas. The Music in Schools initiative helps level the playing field so that students from all corners of Victoria can enjoy playing an instrument. To date 603 teachers from 414 schools and 688 pre-service teachers have completed training as part of the Music in Schools Musical Futures Australia Professional Learning Program. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.