“BRINGING MUSIC TO SCHOOL”
House of Violins is a private enterprise that provide specialist teaching in string instruments. The business started its music school in Puchong in 2009. In May 2010, a string orchestra for students under the age of twelve was formed. This children orchestra perform regularly.
“Bringing Music To School” is an idea where students are encouraged to participate in music education while they are still at school. The program is inexpensive, self-funding, easy to set up and administer, and it also bring unlimited benefits to the students and the school.
The program is supported by many well known and experienced music educators in this country and abroad. Biographies of some of these musicians are attached.
“Bringing Music To School” program has three categories. They are:
1. Sting instruments that include violin, viola, cello and double bass;
2. Percussion that includes tuned and unturned percussion;
3. Wind and brass instruments
We conduct seminars and demonstration on string instruments at school on a regular basis. If you are interested in this service, just call us to make an arrangement. Alternately, you can visit our children orchestra training on every Sunday between 4 – 6 pm at 'AURORA PLACE', Unit D-2, Level 3, No.1 Persiaran Jalil 1,Bandar Bukit Jalil,57000, Kuala Lumpur.
Music has long being a part of the school’s curriculum in most developed countries. The advantages and the benefits music bring to the students have been proven beyond any doubt. Let us show you how to “Bring Music To Your School” and let us help you to form your own string orchestra. Please email us if you need further information or call Mr Woon Ngok Kin on 0149091341and he will discuss the project with you. Kindly visit the following websites www.houseofviolin.net; www.clapandtap.com and www.clapandtap.org
THE
PROGRAM
BRINGING MUSIC TO SCHOOL
1. THE OBJECTIVE
‘Music is the universal language of mankind”………..Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
As a matter of fact, music is more than the universal language of mankind. Science has proved beyond doubt that music plays a very important role in developing a child’s learning capacity. In developed countries, most schools consider music as part of their school’s curriculum. Here in Malaysia, this concept is yet to be accepted.
The benefits of bringing music to schools can be summarized as follows:
• It teaches rhythm and strengthens discipline;
• It promotes independence and collaboration;
• It integrates the mind, body and spirit;
• It creates a seamless connection between motivation, instruction, assessment, and practical application leading to a deeper understanding;
• It merges the learning of process and content;
• It improves academic achievement-enhancing test scores, attitudes, social skills, critical
• and creative thinking;
• It exercises and develops higher order thinking skills including analysis, synthesis, evaluation and problem solving.
Music standard in Malaysia was in the top three among Asian countries in the 60’s. Now we have slipped to almost the bottom of the ladder. It is not that our musical standard has gone backward. It is because our musical standard has actually made very little progress in the past decades while our neighbouring countries have made rapid progress with the support of their government. It is time for us to seriously look at what we can do to improve this situation.
Malaysia is blessed with a multi-culture society each with its own unique musical culture. It has produced many talented musicians over the years but sadly only a few have managed to reach international status. Many of these talented musicians who have shown great potential at their early age were unable to excel because of lack of adequate facilities, support and encouragement. For many of those who have managed to obtain higher level of music education abroad and subsequently returned to Malaysia, they were compelled to settle down as private music teachers in order to survive. Music is no longer their priority. Their priority is now focusing on surviving.
How can Malaysia progress under these circumstances? How can we get out of the bottom of the ladder?
The answer to those questions is Malaysia needs to review its policy regarding music education. Malaysia should actively promote and encourage music education and to provide adequate facilities, support and encouragement to students who have taken up music education as an additional subject. We need:
1. to expand music education to schools and other educational institutions;
2. to educate parents and would be parents about the importance and benefits of music education;
3. to create and maintain a standard code of ethic among music educators;
4. to participate in global music education activities;
5. to give and receive global assistance in musical activities;
6. to support and create a better learning environment for our young musicians;
7. to create a platform and opportunities for young musicians to compete and perform;
8. to provide counseling facility to young musicians in relation to music and music education matters;
2. THE PROGRAM
The program is named “Bringing Music To School”.
The program encourages and assists schools to promote music education as an extra curriculum. Initially music classes in string instruments and percussions will be introduced.
String instruments include violin, viola, cello and double bass. Percussions include tuned percussion, un-tuned percussion and auxiliary percussion.
Both string instruments and percussions are the ideal musical instruments to introduce to junior school’s students because of the following reasons:
• They are easy to learn
• They are popular
• They can be learn at younger age (from grade one for example)
• They can be taught in group
• They are relatively inexpensive compare to brass and wind instruments
Lessons will be conducted at school and in group of 10 – 12 students. Schedules for the lessons are to be determined by the school and the music educator.
For ease of administering the program, it is recommended that the total size of the music classes be no greater than 60 students. Lessons will be conducted on a weekly basis and in group.
3. METHOD OF FUNDING
To facilitate the school to commence the music program, we have developed three methods of funding for the music program. They are:
• Outright purchase
• Rent & Buy
• Rent
(1) Outright Purchase
The School, or sponsor(s), purchases the instruments outright. The instruments are then lent to students either free of charge or at a nominal fee.
Alternatively, the parents would be asked to purchase the instruments for the student.
(2) Rent & Buy
Under “Rent & Buy”, the school enters into an agreement to rent the instruments from House of Violins at agreed rates over an agreed period (normally over 12 – 24 months).
The instruments are then lent to the students at the same agreed rates or at slightly higher rates to cover administrative costs. The school is responsible for the administration and collection of the monthly rental.
At the end of the agreed period, the school automatically becomes the owner of those instruments.
Once the ownership of the instruments passed to the school, all rental income from there on are income to the school and can be use for further expansion of the music program.
(3) Rent
The parents rent the instruments from a private enterprise. The private enterprise will be responsible for the administration and collection of rental from the parents.
4. COST OF INVESTMENT – STRING ORCHESTRA
The cost of investment depends on the size of the orchestra. To form a 60 to 80 pieces junior orchestra we need:
Violin 40 – 50 players
Viola 10 – 14 players
Cello 8 – 12 players
Double Bass 2 – 4 players
For ease of control and administration, it is recommended that the school start with sixty players comprising the followings:
1st violin 20 players
2nd violin 20 players
1st Viola 6 players
2nd Viola 6 players
Cello 10 players
Double Bas 4 players
Some schools that have fewer students can choose to form a smaller orchestra with around 30 to 40 players or an ensemble with less than 20 players.
Malaysia
