Today over 3,000 schools took part in Australia’s largest school music participation program, Music: Count Us In. In it’s 12th year, students from every corner of the country took part to sing the same song, on the same day, at the same time.

This year’s flagship event at Hobart’s Bellerive Boardwalk saw over 2,000 students join together in song, led by Music: Count Us In long term ambassador John Foreman OAM and 2018 program mentor Justine Clarke – a face we all know and love from Playschool. As well as student songwriter Abby Keenan who co-wrote this year’s song, ‘One Song’ with four other student songwriters Emma Jones from Wollongong, NSW; Sophia Chesworth from NSW and siblings Hazel and Roanna Law from Queensland.

On being the 2018 MCUI mentor, Justine Clarke says: “I’m thrilled to be part of this program that promotes music education, creativity and community in one loud and joyful song that’s heard right across the country!”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also commented on the program, “Music can enrich and inspire, evoking passion and challenging the way we think. The National Celebration Day is a great opportunity to highlight this gift, as students across Australia come together to sing ‘the song that stops the nation’. I encourage as many schools as possible to get involved and draw inspiration from music’s unifying power.”

Congratulations to all the students and teachers involved and a well deserved thanks to everyone that makes Music: Count Us In happen including the generous support from Justine and John.

Watch more here