During the past 150 years, sheet music has played an important role in the homes of many Australians, as a source of entertainment and self-expression. This publication reveals old favourites and rare treasures in the National Librarys sheet music collection and explores how Australias favourite songs and music reflect our sense of ourselves as a nation.

This publication is unique in its comprehensiveness and recognision of cultural diversity and a broad notion of community. It covers the history of concert music, opera, ballet, music teaching, composition, instruments, venues, union activity, Aboriginal music, and all forms of popular and folk music and dance. It embraces the wide variety of immigrant influences from Europe, America and particularly the Pacific. There's sound art, computer music, electroacoustics, belly dance, debutante balls, subcultures, music videos and much more. Over two hundred academics, practitioners and private researchers from all parts of Australia and beyond are among this book's contributors.

Surveys the basic kinds of music & instruments found in this area.

"This book is written by a practising teacher for teachers, who will find it a useful resource, not only in programming lessons but also in the organisation of athletic carnivals, camps and outdoor education activities and the development of adventure playgrounds and fitness trails". - Foreword.

A world list of books in the English language.