Mal Hewitt, OAM, former President of CSME and Musical Director and driving force behind 33 years of Celebration Sing Out! Concerts.
MAL HEWITT OAM
Foundation Artistic Director and visionary
Mal retired from Celebration Sing Out! at the end of 2026, on his 80th birthday. He is the founder and driving force behind Celebration Sing Out! ® and the TOPS orchestra, both of which he established in 1993.
Mal is highly regarded for his leadership and advocacy for music education as a right for all children. He was awarded an OAM in 2014 for his services to Music Education and the community.
He graduated from Sydney Teachers College and Conservatorium of Music in 1966 and holds a Diploma of Music. His career spanned forty years with the NSW Department of Education as a classroom music teacher, a Head Teacher, Deputy Principal, and Senior Education Officer in the Performing Arts Unit, where he was responsible for school state-wide music programs.
His focus was the development of band and orchestral programs in schools of great economic disadvantage.
On retiring in 2004, Mal teamed up with colleagues to establish the Collegiate of Specialist Music Educators (CSME) to lobby for a quality music education for every child, especially those suffering economic disadvantage.
Foundation Artistic Director and visionary
Mal retired from Celebration Sing Out! at the end of 2026, on his 80th birthday. He is the founder and driving force behind Celebration Sing Out! ® and the TOPS orchestra, both of which he established in 1993.
Mal is highly regarded for his leadership and advocacy for music education as a right for all children. He was awarded an OAM in 2014 for his services to Music Education and the community.
He graduated from Sydney Teachers College and Conservatorium of Music in 1966 and holds a Diploma of Music. His career spanned forty years with the NSW Department of Education as a classroom music teacher, a Head Teacher, Deputy Principal, and Senior Education Officer in the Performing Arts Unit, where he was responsible for school state-wide music programs.
His focus was the development of band and orchestral programs in schools of great economic disadvantage.
On retiring in 2004, Mal teamed up with colleagues to establish the Collegiate of Specialist Music Educators (CSME) to lobby for a quality music education for every child, especially those suffering economic disadvantage.
Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back.
Those who wish to sing, always find a song.
Plato
Music for Children
Celebration Sing Out! grew from a shared passion of school music teachers for children's music education, and from the childhood hospital experiences of driving force, Mal Hewitt.
Members of the Collegiate are current or retired music education professionals. Their backgrounds are rich and varied:
teachers in schools and studios, performers, conductors, composers, academics, administrators, leaders of educational and musical institutions, executives of the NSW Department of Education, and parents.
We want it shouted (or sung) from the rooftops – that music, that most approachable and accessible of the Arts – is essential to any life of quality and meaning for every child.
Most especially, for children who are very sick in hospital.
Members of the Collegiate are current or retired music education professionals. Their backgrounds are rich and varied:
teachers in schools and studios, performers, conductors, composers, academics, administrators, leaders of educational and musical institutions, executives of the NSW Department of Education, and parents.
We want it shouted (or sung) from the rooftops – that music, that most approachable and accessible of the Arts – is essential to any life of quality and meaning for every child.
Most especially, for children who are very sick in hospital.
AdvocacyWe want Australians to know that in the world's best and most successful education systems – intensive experience of children in music and other creative arts will make them healthier, happier and brighter.
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The BoardThe Collegiate Board consists of five members, one of whom will be elected as the Director of the Collegiate Board. The Director and four Board members will be appointed by the Executive Committee for a period of four years.
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MembershipBecome a member of the college and enjoy the benefits.
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