MOST high school musicians dream of the day their music will be heard by others.
For Ryan Chelva that dream is already a reality.
The year 12 Heathdale Christian College student was recently chosen to write a song with singer Josh Pyke for a national school music program.
Ryan was one of three students chosen to write for Music Count Us In, a program that provides more than 600 primary schools with a song for students to learn, perform and
have fun with music.
Ryan’s music teacher Ben Salvador encouraged him to enter.
“My teacher pulled me out of class and told me to write a song to submit,” Ryan said.
“The brief was to write a song children could relate to. It’s not what I’m used to writing about, but he insisted I give it a go.
“I wrote and recorded the song and submitted it about 90 minutes before the deadline.”
Ryan said he was excited to be part of the program as it was an opportunity to encourage primary schoolchildren to enjoy music as much as he did.
“I’m really lucky to have had a chance to pursue music,” he said.
“It’s really encouraged [at Heathdale Christian College] and we have great facilities. Not all students have the same opportunities.
“Music Count Us In is about giving them a chance to experience music.”
Ryan took piano lessons as a child but stopped after a year.
Six years later he began learning the guitar, but it was not until he started school at Heathdale that he became serious about music.
“When I came here and saw there was an avenue for my music, that’s when I started pursuing it,” he said.
In the past two years, Ryan has taken part in battle of the bands competitions, school choirs and the National Recording Program.
Schools joining Music Count Us In will perform Different People (Stand Together), written by Ryan, and the other winners, on November 1.
It was produced by John Foreman and recorded at Sydney’s Studios 301.
