MUSICA VIVA In Schools has a very strong connection with Canberra.

Not only is its inaugural artistic director for education, Michael Sollis, a dyed-in-the-wool Canberran, but it has just announced  that two new ensembles will join the line-for 2017,  woodwind trio Arcadia Winds — and Canberra ragtime and swing band Doctor Stovepipe.

Widely acknowledged as having  Australia’s largest and most innovative in-school music program, Musica Viva presents dynamic, accessible and culturally diverse groups who perform in schools across the country, also embedded through digital learning resources and professional development in compliance with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

“I believe that every child should have the opportunity to experience live music, and Musica Viva provides the best possible platform for live music to transform a student’s life,” Sollis  says.

Arcadia Winds was nurtured through Musica Viva’s FutureMakers program, and uses popular school band instruments the clarinet, bassoon and flute to demonstrate how we can use the  breath and the body  to make musical instruments vibrate and come alive.

By contrast, Doctor Stovepipe’s mix of hot jazz, gypsy swing, Appalachian folk music and ragtime is a celebration of harmonies and a toe-tapping foundation of guitar, bass, fiddle and banjo.

“We are delighted to be part of the Musica Viva In Schools program in 2017 to inspire students with new ways of learning through music,” says Jim Sharrock, the innovative guitarist with Doctor Stovepipe.

Back by popular demand, as they say, Taikoz and West African inspired ensemble ‘Teranga’, whose charismatic front man Pape M’Baye has shared the stage with the likes of BB King, Miles Davis and Ringo Starr.  They will join an additional 12 ensembles across a wide range of musical styles, from brass quintets to Indonesian Gamelan, new Australian opera to percussion with electronics.

More than 280,000 students have been  experiencing quality live music in 2016 thanks to Musica Viva In Schools, now  35 years old.

Musica Viva in Schools’ 2017 program is now open for booking to musicaviva.com.au/education/booking