Dr Cuskelly directs the Cuskelly College of Music, and is running a heavily-subsidised five-day music school in Tenterfield during the winter school holidays. He's keen to give country kids the same opportunity to access quality music instruction as their city cousins, and is bringing in a raft of nationally and internationally-recognised teachers for the task.

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All local primary schools were invited to a session at The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School where British singing teacher Pete Churchill dropped in via video to lead the assembly in learning a piece called Dig Deep. It is one of the songs Mr Churchill will be teaching in person during the winter school, along with specialists in piano, brass and string instruments, and musicals.

Dr Cuskelly was impressed with how well the children picked up and performed the song, after they warmed up with some fun vocal and rhythm exercises.

He feels the education system should expand its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) focus to STEAM, with an A for the arts. He said there's plenty of evidence that incorporating music in a curriculum can have a positive impact on other learning areas.

He was travelling with Dr Michael Bradshaw of the Sydney Conservatorium High School and program coordinator Helen McCosker. Mrs McCosker lives west of Inverell and said she is well aware of the difficulties of accessing such programs in the bush.

Several of her children have travelled to Brisbane to participate in music schools, and loved the experience. She said music can have a much broader impact beyond talent development.

"In these times of drought where we need to put health and wellbeing at the forefront, music gives a sense of hope and joy.

"Music can be a part of getting people off rock bottom, when resilience and strength is so important."

After lifting the spirits of those at the public school, the trio moved on to Tenterfield High School as another stop on the 23 schools across the Northern Tablelands they're visiting this trip.

The winter school music program runs July 8-12 as part of a long music festival, and there's also community access for non-students as well as an end-of-school concert.

More information is available at schools or online at www.soundthinkingaustralia.com.