Page 9 - Info Magazine nr 14 december 2020

What is your goal for the students participating in the Yamaha class band?
My students need to become independent players. I want them to be able to read rhythm's, no-
tes and melodies by themselves. When they practise at home they must be able to do that by
themselves. I love it when they tell me they have been searching on the internet and found new
(pop- or film) music for their instruments. Sometimes they send me little movies of them playing
StarWars or Celine Dion.
Ofcourse it is always great if they tell me they joined a youth orchestra or started taking private
lessons!

What do you think is the added value of a Yamaha class band?
This Class Band project opens a whole new world for children! Especially the ones who would
never have started to play an instrument if it hadn’t been for YCB.
The behaviour inside the class band is very social. They help each other with new notes or fin-
gerings. They explain certain rhythms to each other. They really learn to listen to each other and
encourage the others. The cooperation is great to see!
The students make new friends, mostly if they start to play in small orchestra’s as well. One of
the biggest goals is to let the students experience that making music (together) is fun!

What would you like to learn yourself?
I am very privileged to visit all those European classes in my function as senior Key teacher. In
those visits I see so many wonderful teachers! Their lessons are often full of new ideas. Some
of those ideas are very inspirational! Usually I try those new ideas out in my own classes. After
that I try to teach them to the rest of our Classband collegueas in Europe. I hope to be able to
keep learning all those new tips and tricks from our collegues.

Would you like to say something to your European colleagues?
Keep up the good work! You are really part of a big project that helps children to become a better
person! Those young musicians are the future for a better world!