The great educator

Classical music and young children don’t usually mix well. The prodigious oeuvre of Mozart and the waltzes of Strauss are examples of “high art” fathomable only by those who have age and experience. Perhaps the equivalent of this “high art” for children would be playing with friends, watching Ben Ten on Cartoon Network, and getting lost in imagination land.

A common misconception is that classical music is an art form too complex for young minds to truly embrace and understand. The nuances of emotion and the intricacy of classical music arrangements are things only grown-ups can appreciate. To children, these are just experienced as cool sounds coming out of instruments. However, adding the aspect of music appreciation to a young one’s life — any aspect of music, for that matter — can be enriching and, at the same time, fun.

In creating a complete and solid foundation for its students, the Philippine Montessori Center (PMC) believes in exposing its students to as many varied experiences as possible. Part of this method of educating entails involving children in a musical program. The program teaches preschool children the importance of concentration, discipline, and teamwork. These values, as well as exposure to a rich environment, are what will aid children as they grow older, ultimately making it easier for them to cope with life after preschool.

In accordance with their musical program, the PMC established the Philippine Montessori Center Instrumental Ensemble (PMCIE) to put kids’ skills to practical use. Started in the early ‘80s, the group was conceptualized by PMC music teachers interested in training children to perform pieces during the school’s year-end culminating programs. “The children bring so much joy and fulfillment to the music teachers at PMC. They have been a source of inspiration to us and continuously challenge our wits, patience and creativity,” says teacher Cathy Zulueta, one of the music instructors. The level of artistic fluency demonstrated by these young people has enabled different PMCIE batches to perform in such impressive venues as The Francisco Santiago Hall, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Theatre, The Podium and Malacañang Palace.

Today, after about two decades of fine-tuning, the program has reached another high point. This school year’s batch, composed of 16 talented children between the ages of four and seven, has been invited by New York based Children’s Orchestra Society (COS) — a not-for-profit organization dedicated to teaching the children the language of music. Teacher Cathy adds: “We’ve been rehearsing for the past seven months now and been prepping the kids about our New York trip  —  telling them what it is going to be like performing on a big, big stage, with lots of lights focused on them, and lots of people watching — and most of all, experiencing playing with an orchestra!” The current ensemble will perform two concerts in New York City in April of this year, the first at the Queens Theater (a joint concert with the COS) followed by a solo performance at the Parish House of the Manhasset Christ Episcopal Church.

The same batch held a concert on Feb. 12 entitled “Once Upon a Happy Note… Encore,” a continuation of the PMCIE’s Christmas concert held on Dec. 9 of last year. The fund-raising event raised money to augment travel expenses for the children and their chaperones when they travel to New York in April. The children performed pieces like Bizet’s Overture from “Carmen,” Khachaturian’s Saber Dance, excerpts from The Sound of Music, and Filipino folk songs.

Exposure to music at a very young age not only benefits children in the sense that new values and ideals are formed, but it also opens up a whole new realm of experience. Aside from acquiring technical skills from training at a very young age, the children are also able to explore new avenues of thought and imagination through music. They will also be exposed to different emotions according to the music they listen to (regardless of whether they can comprehend those feelings or not.) Aside from just hearing the notes, they will have a better understanding of how, in music, it’s not just the sense of hearing that’s being utilized; they will see color in the combination of melodies, and feel the different textures in music as sound waves traveling through the air. They will realize that, as with music, many things in life can be viewed with a more exploratory eye.

The universal language of music has a power that transcends any and all boundaries — age, race, gender, et cetera. Classical music may be associated with the adult world, but the PMCIE proves that it all falls under one big umbrella: music. And if it’s music, then it’s for anyone and everyone to take part of.

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E-mail me at  enricomiguelsubido@yahoo.com.