The lawns of Parliament House were transformed into a sea of colour yesterday as 2000 local school children converged for a mass singing event.
Rock star turned Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett returned to his musical roots, joining the students in song.
He also shared his love of singing at school and the fact he had been a member of school and church choirs, which prompted excited whispers from young aspirational rock stars.
Music Count Us In is the country's biggest annual music event and aims to highlight the importance of music education in schools.
At 11.30am, students around the country marked the event by singing simultaneously.
In Sydney 600 children performed this year's song, The Music is Everything, which was co-written by four NSW high school students, on the steps of the Sydney Opera House with former Australian Idol star Guy Sebastian. In Melbourne, 500 students filled Federation Square.
Other students sang at assemblies and classrooms around the country.
The Canberra event, which featured the Royal Military College Duntroon Band, was streamed live around the country so other school students could get the feeling of singing en masse.
Event ambassador and former musical director of Australian Idol, John Foreman, said it was an ''extraordinary event'' for students to be involved in.
''For these kids today will be a day they never forget,'' he said.
''[Often at school] maths and English classes seem to fade into one long memory but musical events and moments are very specific and can be very moving for people.''
Music was important for young students and vital in schools.
''Music can certainly build confidence, it can enable people to express themselves in ways they may not be able to otherwise and there is a real feeling of teamwork when you are singing in a choir or playing in a band,'' he said.
''Kids can feel a sense of ownership over the music they create and there also some studies which suggest it helps with literacy and numeracy as well ... To see kids literally jumping up and down in joy at an event like this makes the whole event worthwhile.''
Gordon Primary School students were some of then students jumping with excitement, particularly when Mr Garrett joined them for the song.
Year4 pupil Ryan Willis, 9, said, ''I like singing and the song has a good rhythm, it is good just to get outside and have a good time.''
Year3 pupil Bryce Lignieres, 9, agreed. ''I like singing and doing it with all the other schools,'' he said.
Gordon Primary School principal Murray Bruce said the school's pupils often performed in aged-care homes. ''This event is another opportunity for us to go out and participate with all the other schools in the joy of singing and music and keep developing our interests and abilities in music,'' he said.
A co-writer of this year's featured song, Newtown High School of the Performing Arts Year 12 student Jasmine Johnston, said she was amazed to think thousands of students around Australia could have performed the song.
''It is really crazy ... and to hear Peter Garrett say he likes our song, was amazing.''