What is SoundSchool?
Bigphallica, SoundSchool India 2010
SoundSchool is a series of Australian music events and initiatives aiming to raise money in order to purchase musical instruments, teaching aids and tuition for deserving children all over the world.
Our Mission
SoundSchool’s music mission is simple: Provide deserving children
around the world with the opportunity to develop their learning and other key
personal skills by playing and enjoying music
Beginnings
Oli and friends, Assighat, Varanasi, India
he idea was born in 2009 when Oli Mistry travelled to India, playing guitar and exploring the land of his ancestors. Continually surrounded by street kids, all fascinated by the guitar and music it was more fun to let them play and to help them through a few simple chords than to play himself. Needless to say they enjoyed this the most and when it came time to leave he felt somewhat guilty taking his guitar with him.
And so began a simple idea: find an existing organisation already set up to care for and educate the most under privileged of these children and relatively empower them through music. Provide and other instruments and simply teach them to play.
And so began a simple idea: find an existing organisation already set up to care for and educate the most under privileged of these children and relatively empower them through music. Provide and other instruments and simply teach them to play.
Partners
(L-R) Jay Hemsworth, Oli Mistry, Jarrod Paul
After research and a number of meetings we found the perfect first partner in the Salaam Baalak Trust, a Delhi based organisation providing, shelter, healthcare, food and education for Street kids. With no religious affiliations or bias, it has a well promoted volunteer program and actively encourages creativity and the arts. Theatre and photography are already active programs, but what it is really missing is music.
On returning to Sydney Oli shared the idea and teamed up with Jay Hemsworth and Jarrod Paul. Together they crafted the idea of SoundSchool and got to work on their goal to put on anual concert events to raise the funds needed to set up the school and others like it.
On returning to Sydney Oli shared the idea and teamed up with Jay Hemsworth and Jarrod Paul. Together they crafted the idea of SoundSchool and got to work on their goal to put on anual concert events to raise the funds needed to set up the school and others like it.
SoundSchool - India
Oli and Jay opening the first SoundSchool, Delhi, India
SoundSchool's first event SOLD OUT thanks to the incredible support of people who share a passion for music and realise its importance in children's lives.
The event raised 600% more than originally targeted.
In November 2010 founders Jay Hemsworth and Oli Mistry set up and opened the very first school for the Salaam Baalak Trust in Delhi India.
The event raised 600% more than originally targeted.
In November 2010 founders Jay Hemsworth and Oli Mistry set up and opened the very first school for the Salaam Baalak Trust in Delhi India.
