As the time goes by, I become more and more certain that the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra’s educational programmes are actually intended for us grown-up people, and that kids are the most creative teachers we could ever wish for.
Thanks to our youngest guests, we have already had the honour to attend academic discussions about whether it is right to say double bass or double bus; we have learned that string instruments are divided into violins, fat violins and huge violins. We have established the fact that in order to produce sound on string instruments we have to use a bow, as opposed to wind instruments which, quite logically, require us to use a blow.
As Lenin used to say “learn, learn, learn”, we are serious in our intention to learn from our little buddies, who more often than not bring their teachers and parents to our concerts.
We will do everything in our power to have them as our guests as often as possible and to ensure that they never forget that the music played by a philharmonic orchestra can be both funny and scary. Just like the cartoons or the books that we used to love.
Therefore, we are inviting all pupils of primary school grades I-IV to submit their essays on the topic “What Exactly Is a Philharmonic?” The competition is open from 1 April until 13 June 2017.
The 1st day of April is April Fools’ Day, and 13 June is the date when the summer break starts at school. May your essays also reflect these two dates – jolly and carefree! Incidentally, 13 June is also the date when the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1923. Foundation anniversary is important, but let’s be honest – a summer break is a summer break.
In the beginning of the next school year, the best 500 works will receive the Philharmonic Backpack as a reward, which will include, among other nice surprises, “My First Classical Music CD” recorded and published by the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra.
Thus far, we have learned that e.g. a philharmonic is a “city with many instruments”, as well as that “double bass and violoncello are mummy and daddy, while viola and violin are brother and sister”.
We take tremendous pleasure in learning so much more from the writings of our dear little friends, and we look forward to all our meetings in the future and to enjoying the music together.
