What is a Learning Orchestra?

“The basis of this music education programme is the symphony orchestra. It’s a set-up that enables large groups of children to play together: every child can take part.

Having a Learning Orchestra at your school means that children are given weekly music lessons by professional music teachers during school hours on an instrument of their choice. They can choose from a selection of orchestral instruments: violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, horn, double bass, harp and percussion. Playing these unamplified, acoustic instruments gives the children a direct experience of the effect of blowing, bowing or strumming.

From the beginning, there is a concerted focus on teamwork and group dynamics. The children practise in small groups and take part in their first orchestra rehearsal after only a few months. The children then form a symphony orchestra under the direction of a professional conductor. Around Christmas and before the summer break, they give a concert for the parents. In larger performances, they also team up to play with groups from other schools.”

What prompted the first Learning Orchestra in Amsterdam-Zuidoost in 2005 and how has the project developed in the Netherlands since?

“As the head of the music school in the Bijlmer, I noticed that we were mainly reaching children from the middle classes or above, while I wanted our music school to be a place for all children from the Bijlmer. To make that happen, I applied for grants so that children from underprivileged situations could also attend the music school.

Then I discovered that these children live in a world where the music school is uncharted territory. That’s why I sought collaboration with primary schools. Every child goes to school, so that’s the place to get them familiar and comfortable with music, music lessons and later with the music school. We came into the classroom with a lot of musical instruments. Each child was given an instrument and we presented it as a kind of football club. Everyone has their own role on the team and so it’s also about social skills. We started at one school, but it soon spread to many more. Today there are a host of Learning Orchestras in various parts of the Netherlands.”

Are there differences between schools in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom?

“Yes, absolutely. Many of the musicians on the islands play pop music, and are less familiar with the repertoire and the instruments we use in the Learning Orchestra. During the Covid pandemic, they too learned to play these instruments remotely.

Repairing instruments is also a challenge. In the Netherlands there are enough people to carry out repairs, but on the islands volunteers have to learn the necessary skills through instructions and workshops.”

In Amsterdam, the Learning Orchestra also organises after-school orchestras, where the focus is on talent development. Is that something you plan to do in the Caribbean Netherlands?

“This is already up and running on Curaçao and for Aruba we have a plan in place. It is a logical development, but one that takes time. First you need broad support and a solid foundation for further growth.”

Aruba and Curaçao are larger, with more children and schools. Sint Eustatius and Saba especially are much smaller. What does that mean for your approach?

“We tailor our approach to the needs of each location. Every time, our aim is to look at what is possible locally, to use existing knowledge, do it together and to make sure that together you become smarter and better, so that enough funding is left to give music lessons to as many children as possible.”

More information, teaching materials and tools

The Expertise Centre of the Netherlands Learning Orchestra Foundation develops teaching materials and shares them through the website Orkest in de Klas (Classroom Orchestra). The Centre has also developed a guide for schools. The Foundation’s Instrument Depot makes the instruments available, so that they do not have to be purchased immediately, and also takes care of maintenance.