Music lessons have a profound impact on a child's education. Whether it is improving motor skills, learning to improvise, or understanding music notes and composition, children experience a range of transferable skills just by singing or playing a musical instrument.
Popular music has evolved, and the use of rhythm and synthesised sounds has become more important than the use of (complex) harmony and melody. Parents today may shudder at their children’s choice of music and ask them to turn down the volume. But today’s music teachers understand how today’s “screenagers” adapt their tastes and skills in this digital age and use technology to their advantage.
“The key in music or any other endeavour is to hook kids in and have them enjoy what they're doing, have consecutive small success experiences that bring them further, and hopefully set them up to develop a life-long passion,” says the music teacher of Nord Anglia International School of Rotterdam, Mr Paul Fitzpatrick.
Not all schools can offer music as part of their curriculum, for lack of facilities, specialist teachers or budget. In an ideal world, all children should get an hour or two of music in their weekly plan. Approximately only 10 percent of Dutch primary schools have a specialist music teacher and weekly music lessons planned as part of their curriculum. However, a good school music programme stimulates students to cultivate a lifelong enjoyment of music.
As students develop broad musical skills in both a social context and a safe environment, they begin to feel competent and motivated to participate in varied musical activities, exploring all facets of their musicality.
We all know that music affects our emotions and can shift our moods. Sad songs bring us down, whereas happy and upbeat songs bring out the good vibes and energy. Depending on the tunes and rhythms we listen to, we are led into different moods. Music is very influential, and the words of the song and music genre reflect the changing cultures of society. It can elevate moods, reduce stress, stimulate memories and possibly relieve depression.
Mr Fitzpatrick from NAISR says: “Like us, children make personal connections to pieces of music. Through music, children develop valuable skills such as critical thinking, resilience, risk-taking, and self-reflection, which they can use in their learning across all subjects. The skills gained in music not only aid them in other subjects, but also equip them to be confident, expressive, collaborative and culturally aware life-long learners.”
NAISR has embraced music as a key element of a well-rounded education. “Our hope is that students may also like to pursue their passion for music outside of the classroom. Joining after school activities such as Band, Orchestra, Choir or private lessons help students to master their skills and techniques for solo and ensemble performances and further develop their knowledge of a specific instrument. Furthermore, offering students the opportunities to perform in front of a live audience (like the Winter Concert at school) will further develop their self-confidence, presentation and performance skills. All in all, students need ample opportunity to enjoy and develop in the wonderful world of music,” explains Mr Joris van Beek, the Primary music teacher.
NAISR is proud to be enriching their music curriculum further, through Nord Anglia's collaboration with The Juilliard School for Performing Arts. If you would like to learn more about NAISR and the music programme, feel free to speak with the friendly MAC team via communications@naisr.nl or +31(0)104225351.