‘Boys Business’: an unusual northern Australian music program for boys in the middle years of schooling

Abstract

The Northern Territory’s population commingles Anglo, European and Asian cultural communities. At over 25 percent, it also has Australia’s proportionately largest indigenous population. Consequently it presents an amazing proving ground for people-related research projects. One such project is ‘Boys Business’, involving middle years’ boys with learning in school and for life. What is unusual about the project is its use of music as the primary vehicle to inspire boys. The program operates in part from a belief that boys themselves are actually alright but that they seek affirmation in their engagement with an increasingly challenging world. Literacy may provide one such challenge, constraining many boys’ learning. The program addresses this, as it encourages acquisition of oral and emotional literacy through music making and related activities. So effective is ‘Boys Business’ in the ways it addresses these and other issues that it is now moving across state and national borders, introducing boys elsewhere to the joys of music making.