‘An
important
project that will
bring children
closer
together.’
Amsterdam Zuidoost ,
or as most people say: ‘ The
Bijlmer. ’ With the
B for bubbling,
Bling-Bling
and Booming
Business.
For Barrarolls,
Bami
and
Barbecues.
You hear a
lot of Boogie,
Bass guitar
and Beats on
the Bougarabou-drum.
But no Bach... Or do you?
Primary schools in the Bijlmer giving
classical music lessons? Marco de Souza,
director of Muziekcentrum Zuidoost,
was considered slightly mad when he
first presented his plan.
But today schools are standing in line for
a chance to take part in the ‘Leerorkest’
project.
The Leerorkest is an innovative musical
project, that has the aim of giving young
children the chance of learning to play a
musical instrument. But there is more to it
than that. Very soon they will using their
newly learned music notes as part of the
beginners orchestra. Playing together
motivates and stimulates the children.
This approach makes the Leerorkest project
unique in the Netherlands.
The whole class in an orchestra
This how it works: Primary school children
have lessons once a week in small groups.
They each practice on one of the thirteen
most common instruments found in a
symphony orchestra: flute, oboe, clarinet,
bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone,
tuba, violin, alt violin, cello, counter bass
and percussion. The whole class has lessons
for four years, from group 5 up to group 8.
Professional musicians give easy-to-follow
lessons in the children’s own school
during normal school hours. The special
child-sized instruments are loaned from
the Leerorkest foundation. After just a
few months the junior musicians practice
together in their own symphony orchestra
lead by a professional conductor.
Composers write music tailored to
the children’s abilities. The Leerorkest
immediately starts working towards a
small but official concert. The very first
high-point for the Leerorkest was a
concert in the Beurs van Berlage together
with musicians from the Netherlands
Philharmonic Orchestra.
Music improves the thinking
and social awareness
The Leerorkest also has added value for
the children. The lessons are not only fun
but are good for their self confidence and
development, too. They work on their
sense of rhythm, which has a positive
effect on their language development. An
orchestra demands team work and listening
to each other which improve their social
awareness and powers of concentration.
And last but definitely not least, learning
to play a musical instrument demands
learning self discipline.
Good for integration!
Experience has shown us that taking part
in the Leerorkest has one more positive
side effect: the integration of both the
musicians and their parents from other
cultures. The classical music the children
play is for many of them completely strange.
Classical music, originally a western art
form, becomes part of their daily life and
in extension also part of their culture.
The Leerorkest offers the children something to be proud of, an experience which
can have an enormous positive influence
on their lives. That boy or girl is no longer
an outsider in society but a full member
of their peer group. Experiences such as
these can benefit the child for the rest
of his or her life.
‘I like
playing in an
orchestra because
it’s nice playing
together..‘
GUUS TIL (9)
cello
‘When we
gave the concert I
was nervous, but when
people clapped I felt
so proud..‘ DICKY
ZUIDERVELD (8)
violin
‘I have to
learn all sorts of
notes, the B and
the F-sharp.‘
DIMAS SADJARI
(9) violin
‘My French
Horn is really loud.
I’d like to play a
Shaquira song.‘
DWAYNE SADJARI
(9) french Horn
‘I like it
best when all the
children play
together. It makes
me really happy.‘
CRISHAINA WINDSTER
(10) french horn
‘I find
the sound of
the violin so
beautiful.‘ DICKY
ZUIDERVELD (8)
violin
Vision of the future
The people behind the Leerorkest believe
it should form the basis for children’s
music education. Not to discover talent,
but to have children learn to play music
just as all children learn to read.
Undoubtedly the fire will burn stronger in
some and they will want to develop their
talent further. It is for this reason that the
Leerorkest foundation is working on
funding to extend their musical tuition
beyond the initial four year course.
Perhaps at a music school or
who knows even as far as the
conservatory.
An expensive
exercise
Four years of music
lessons given on a
professional instrument
by professional
teachers.
The Leerorkest asks a
great deal in organisation,
but moreover particularly
in funding. The Leerorkest
project is financed for three
years by generous donations from
(amongst others) Stichting Doen, the
VSB Fonds and the AMJV Fonds.
We need financial support to be able to
carry on our work after that. Don’t forget,
in the Bijlmer alone there are over 750
children who are just itching to join in
and for whom there is as yet no money.
Our ultimate dream is a Leerorkest in
every primary school.
‘ For those proud, happy
faces, that’s why I do it.’
‘Music brings joy’, says Marco de Souza,
director of the muziekcentrum Zuidoost. Whoever
sees the film of the first concert
can only agree.
The children enter the hall
dressed in their best clothes
beaming with pride. They
play with unbending
concentration and at the
end accept the flowers
and applause with wide,
wide smiles.
‘Aren’t they wonderful?’
Comments the director,
‘Those happy smiles, that’s
why I do it.’
De Souza wants to introduce
classical music (instruments) in a
professional but fun way to as many
children as possible. In his view, music education
should be as normal as learning to read and write, not only for the
pleasure it brings but also for the beneficial side effects.
Despite the scepticism de Souza encountered in the planning stage
he carried on, convinced of the attraction that live musicians and live
musical instruments have on children. ‘For children it is like magic. It
make them really proud, just being allowed to play on an instrument.’
His perseverance bore fruit. Today schools are standing in line for a
place in the Leerorkest. De Souza: ‘I would never have dared dream
that it would be so popular.’
Emmy
Verhey
Violinist
‘ The
Leerorkest...
It's difficult to
imagine a better
way to invest
in a child's
future.’
‘An
important
project that
will bring
children closer
HerRoyal
together.’
Highness
Princess Irene
of the
Netherlands
‘Splendid!
The Leerorkest:
every child should
have this experience.’
Ina
Brouwer
Politician
‘ The
Stijn
Schoonderwoerd
Director
Netherlands
Philharmonic
Orchestra
Netherlands
Philharmonic
heartily supports
the Leerorkest.’
‘ The
Leerorkest has
found an inspiring
way to introduce
children to
music.’
Ronald
Plasterk
Minister for
Education,
Culture and
science
‘ This is good for their
self confidence.’
Janneke Verlaat teaches group 5 of the
Bijlmermontessori, one of three*
schools in Amsterdam Zuidoost that
take part in the Leerorkest project.
‘They are so enthusiastic.’ She
says. ‘11 o’clock can’t come soon
enough for them.’
It is music hour every Thursday morning
from 11 till 12 o’ clock. Music is everywhere.
Literally every available nook and cranny is
used for the lessons.
‘Without this project the great majority of
these children would never have music
lessons.’ Miss Verlaat assures us. ‘Not at
home nor in school. I’m not at all musical,
so all I can do is sing a few songs with them.
But real music lessons? I don’t know how.’
atmosphere in the classroom and the
children’s behaviour. In particular those
less cognitively strong or with behavioural
problems. ‘When I see how they shine
with pride from getting a note out of such
a big instrument... This good for their self
respect and confidence.’
She is very happy that the Leerorkest has
come to her school. Not only because
the children adore music lessons but she
also sees the good influence it has on the
*The other two schools are the Kruispunt and
the Santenkraam.
‘ It
Job Cohen
Mayor of
Amsterdam
is very
difficult to play
an instrument but
it teaches you
discipline. It should
be part of the
education
curriculum.’
‘ The
Leerorkest is
not only good;
Theo Olof
Violinist and
it's the best of
former concertthe best.’
master of the
Residentie orchestra, the Hague
‘ Every
Hans
Dijkstal
Politician,
former deputy
prime minister
child should
learn to play
music. That's
what
happens in the
Leerorkest.’
‘ The
Leerorkest
is a
wonderful
initiative.’
Paolo
Giacometti
Italian/Dutch
Pianist
‘ Music enriches
their lives. It is every
child’s right ’
‘They pull each other along,’
explains Violin teacher
of the Leerorkest, Nuno
Malajuwara. Nuno mostly
gives individual lessons at a
regular music school. In her
opinion, group lessons have
the advantage that the better
pupils pull the weaker ones
along.
‘That gives them self confidence and a
pleasant feeling of responsibility.’
Getting them into the orchestra at an early
stage works exactly the same, she notices.
It stimulates and inspires. ‘After one
rehearsal my pupils asked me if they might
be allowed to play the nice song the
trumpets were playing.’
Nuno explains that she works more by ear
with her Leerorkest classes than with
her pupils at the music school. ‘Normally
you begin with learning to read notes but
in the Leerorkest we learn by ear to give
the children the experience of playing
music sooner.’
They pick it up quickly, says Nuno. ‘Even
children with a reputation for behavioural
problems can suddenly loose themselves
in the music.’
Nuno thinks that every child should be
brought into contact with music because
it enriches their lives. Nuno told us how
her own music career began. ‘When I was
7 years old a girl brought her violin to
school. I thought it was beautiful, and
wanted to learn, too. That’s how it goes,
you have to be introduced to new things.’
Few children get introduced to playing
music in their daily lives, is her experience.
‘Seen from the idealism of that every
child has a right to music lessons, it will
be wonderful if the Leerorkest can reach
more schools and more children.’
‘ I had so
much fun
with my friends in
the orchestra ’
Leerorkest bassoon
teacher Julia Hulst tells:
When I was 15 years old I joined a
youth orchestra. The conductor
thought the bassoon would suit me.
I started playing in the orchestra
immediately, without ever having had
a lesson. I had so much fun with my
friends in the orchestra. I had bassoon
lessons and was seen to have talent
which took me on to the conservatory.
Without my experiences in the youth
orchestra, I doubt if I’d have ever
played bassoon.’
Support & sponsoring
To be able to continue and expand the
activities of the Leerorkest outside (financial)
support is of paramount importance.
Both individuals and businesses are
invited to help.
Donations to the Leerorkest foundation
(stichting) are fiscally deductable in the
For more information please contact:
Marco de Souza (director MZO)
Telephone 00 31 (0)20 6968371
[email protected]
Netherlands. Businesses can deduct
donations from their profits. More
precise details of the conditions are
available from Muziekcentrum Zuidoost.
We will gladly inform you of the possibilities
for sponsoring the Leerorkest.
The Leerorkest is a Muziekcentrum Zuidoost
project In cooperation with:
Doen Foundation
VSB Fund
AMVJ Fund
Amsterdams fund
for the arts
SNS Reaal Fonds
Oranje Fund
Nedpho Go!
(Nederlands
Philharmonisch
Orkest)
City of Amsterdam
Music school Amsterdam and
Music school Amsterdam Noord
Amsterdam conservatory
(Amsterdam School of the Arts)
Emmy Verhey
Amsterdam Zuidoost City Council
Prins Bernhard Culture Fund
National Instrument Fund
Schiphol Fund
Madurodam Foundation
Aan Tafel! Foundation
DBRM Advertising agency
Freshfields-Bruckhaus-Deringer
Teams en children of the
Santenkraam, Kruispunt and
Bijlmermontessori primary schools
The Leerorkest is a Muziekcentrum
MZO offers projects for
Zuidoost (MZO) project.
– primary education,
MZO has 25 years experience in offering
– professional school concerts,
professional instrumental and vocal music
– concert series (jazz and classical),
education with a goal to creating a music
– regular instrumental/vocal tuition
friendly environment for young and old to
– and, naturally, the Leerorkest.
support and inspire them in their personal
The address Hofgeest 139 is also
musical evolution. MZO develops activities
home to Krater Theater and many
to introduce every child in Zuidoost to
other groups, schools and bands.
music and more in-depth extra
curricular activities.
Colophon
Publication July 2007
Script
Translation
Editorship
Photography
Design
Eva Prins
Derek Lee
Annelies Eringa
Klaas Fopma, André de Groot,
Sissel Larsen, Derek Lee,
Willy Slingerland a.o.
Michel van der Sanden Design
www.mvds-design.nl
7
Fir
st s
ho w
Stichting Leerorkest
p/a Muziekcentrum Zuidoost
Hofgeest 139,1102 EG Amsterdam
Tel. +31 20-696 8371
[email protected]
www.muziekcentrumzuidoost.nl
ING 1047256 att. St. Leerorkest
CoC 34230741
www.leerorkest.nl
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