The annual Music: Count Us In event saw more than half a million students from 2000 schools across the nation performing the song Gold in unison.

Bendigo South East student and cellist Wesley Hunter said he was excited about performing with his peers. 

“The cello is a beautiful instrument – it’s the closest sounding instrument to the human voice,” he said. 

Camp Hill primary school girls were helping one of the younger students with her dance moves, who said her favourite part of the routine was the jump. 

High school student Colin Humphrey was jamming on his trumpet after the big event and said he loved getting the chance to put music in the public sphere. 

Some students said they loved the way music brought them together and introduced them to new friends. 

Bendigo Instrumental Music Program co-cordinator Jane Geddes said some students had only been playing for six months and were very brave in performing on a national stage.

She said the study of music encouraged children to use the left and right sides of their brain. 

The song was composed by students with songstress Marcia Hines.