PPCA helps Australia sing by supporting The Song Room

Wednesday, 29 August 2007: More children around Australia will have access to music in schools, with the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) today announcing a $50,000 donation to The Song Room, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing music and arts programs in Australian schools and communities.

John O’Donnell, Chairman of PPCA and Managing Director EMI Music Australia, explains PPCA’s commitment to developing and supporting music in the community. “PPCA’s desire to make a positive contribution to the community led us to the great people behind The Song Room. We are delighted to be able to make a contribution of this scale to an organisation which truly promotes music and the arts to those most in need. Stimulating the creativity of children through music and theatre performances is such a valuable gift, and one which will certainly bring benefit to the wider community and possibly the music industry in years to come. PPCA is proud to be a major supporter of The Song Room.”

The Song Room is dedicated to facilitating music and arts programs in Australian schools and communities,
and focuses on children and communities disadvantaged through economic, social and geographical
circumstances, disability and recent immigration.

“There is very strong international and national research that demonstrates that such programs contribute to
the emotional, social and cognitive development of young people,” said The Song Room’s Chief Executive,
Caroline Aebersold. “It has been shown that music and arts assist students to better engage with their school
community, improves their leaning outcomes, helps foster the transmission of cultural values and encourages
positive social cohesion,” she said.

“For many of these children it is first time they have experienced a range of music or arts forms,” she said,
“And hence we are very grateful to PPCA’s wonderful support of our unique programs, which will also help
build the music audiences of the future.”

About PPCA:
PPCA is a national, non-profit organisation established in 1969 to provide non-exclusive licences for the public
performance and broadcasting of protected sound recordings and music videos. PPCA distributions are made
directly to copyright owners and to Australian recording artists registered with PPCA under its artist direct
distribution scheme.

About The Song Room:
Importantly, whilst extensive evidence exists on the importance and positive impact of music on children’s
learning and personal development, recent research indicates that three out of four children in Government
primary schools do not have access to music programs, and often those who need it most are missing out.
The Song Room has provided programs to over 100,000 children across Australia. This includes a range of
targeted and tailored programs aimed at creating a sustainable change in the diverse range of schools and
communities with which it works. These include long-term workshop programs, performances, school holiday
community programs, resident specialists, capacity building and long-term sustainability planning through
teacher professional development and provision of resources such as teachers’ packs and instrument
donations and music CDs thanks to the support of record companies Warner, Universal, EMI and SONY BMG.

Contact:

Christy Hayes, PPCA Communications Manager, 02 8569 1151 or 0422 604 668
Paul Curran, Marketing and Communications Manager, The Song Room, 03 9495 6422