UNU Jogja PGSD Students Win Second Place in National Children's Songwriting Competition

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Students of the Elementary School Teacher Education (PGSD) Study Program at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja ) have once again brought pride to the university by winning Second Place in the 2026 Cakrartventure Children's Songwriting Competition, organized by the Elementary School Teacher Education Study Program of Universitas Negeri Malang from 7 June to 17 July 2026.

The team earned the award with their original composition, "Pelangi Hatiku" (The Rainbow in My Heart), a children's song that delivers positive messages through simple, engaging, and child-friendly language. The competition was open to PGSD and PGMI (Islamic Elementary School Teacher Education) students from universities across Indonesia.

The UNU Jogja team consisted of 2024 cohort students Aginda Bella Aulia, Riska Andesta, Nurul Izza, and Adi Prayoga, under the supervision of Dr. Hidar Amaruddin, a lecturer in the PGSD Study Program. Together, they created a song that combines musical creativity with a deep understanding of children's developmental characteristics, resulting in a composition that is not only enjoyable to listen to but also rich in educational value. 

Aginda Bella Aulia explained that the songwriting process began with collaborative discussions to determine a concept that would resonate with children. After selecting the theme, the team worked together to write the lyrics, compose the melody, and conduct repeated rehearsals and evaluations to ensure that the song not only met the competition criteria but also conveyed meaningful educational values.

"We repeatedly evaluated and refined different parts of the song to ensure it met the competition requirements while delivering positive messages that children could easily understand," Aginda said.

According to Aginda, the experience was especially valuable because every team member actively contributed ideas throughout the creative process. Their intensive discussions enabled them to produce a song that aligned with the competition's objectives while remaining closely connected to children's everyday experiences.

She added that the knowledge and experience gained during her studies at UNU Jogja  played a significant role in shaping the project. Courses focusing on child education, creativity, and instructional strategies helped the team understand how to create educational content that matches children's developmental needs.

In addition to the academic foundation they received, guidance from their supervisor also played a crucial role throughout the competition. His feedback and encouragement helped the team refine their work from the initial concept through the final submission.

"Dr. Hidar Amirudin's guidance and support were invaluable throughout our preparation and during the competition," she said.

For the team, success was not solely determined by their ability to compose a song but also by their teamwork. Creativity, communication, collaborative problem-solving, and the ability to develop ideas together became the key factors behind their achievement.

"Every team member had an important role in creating the song. That's why teamwork and communication were essential. Our understanding of children's characteristics also helped us produce a song that is engaging, easy to understand, and carries positive educational messages," Aginda explained.

Dr. Hidar Amaruddin, the team's supervisor, explained that his role throughout the creative process focused on refining the lyrics and strengthening the musical dynamics to ensure that the song suited children's characteristics. He also praised the students for demonstrating creativity, enthusiasm for learning, and strong teamwork throughout the project.

"Our mentoring focused on refining the lyrics and musical dynamics so that the song would be easy for both teachers and children to sing while still conveying meaningful values. I was impressed by the students' creativity, openness to feedback, and ability to collaborate throughout every stage of the process. Those qualities became the key strengths that led them to this achievement," he said.

The song "Pelangi Hatiku" not only earned the team second place at the national competition but also received official copyright protection through a Copyright Registration Certificate issued by the Ministry of Law of the Republic of Indonesia. The work is officially registered under the category "Song (Music with Lyrics)" with the title "Pelangi-Pelangi Hatiku", and was first published on 20 July 2026 in Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Hidar explained that the copyright registration serves to protect the intellectual property created jointly by the students and their supervisor. He believes the process also encourages students not only to produce creative works but also to understand the importance of protecting intellectual property rights.

This achievement highlights that future teachers are expected not only to master pedagogical competencies but also to innovate in developing creative, relevant, and engaging learning media. Through artistic works such as children's songs, students can integrate educational values into learning experiences that are enjoyable and accessible for young learners.

As a university in Yogyakarta committed to fostering innovation and impactful student achievements, UNU Jogja continues to provide opportunities for students to develop their creativity, participate in competitions, and produce works that benefit society. The success of the PGSD team demonstrates that classroom learning can be transformed into meaningful innovations that not only earn national recognition but also receive official intellectual property protection as a testament to students' creativity and academic excellence. [Latifah]