National orchestra will inspire musical youth
▶ Opportunity to perform at highest levels will spark interest in classical music at schools and across country
The formation of a national orchestra will inspire the musicians of tomorrow, educators say.
The orchestra, announced last week, will be formed by the end of the year.
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said the orchestra would attract talent from at home and abroad.
“Imagine our life without music,” she said. “We want people to participate and help raise the name of the country.”
It is a move that has been welcomed by educators, who said it would encourage participation in the arts and culture.
Jo Lee, director of performing arts at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, said the orchestra could be a catalyst for an awakened interest in music at schools.
“There is great hope for performing arts within the UAE,” Ms Lee said. “Music and the performing arts have the opportunity to unite a community.
“When you work together, rehearse together and share a passion, you are connected with your community. It really paves the way for the future of the UAE.”
She said that because music is not a part of everyday life here, the orchestra could inspire young people and show them how much fun music can be.
This year, a report from Dubai’s education regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, found that only 20 per cent of private school pupils play a musical instrument three times a week.
And a broader decline in music studies is being felt in developed nations around the world. This year, barely one in 20 pupils in Britain took music up to GCSE level.
Ros Marshall, chief executive at Taaleem, which runs 10 schools in Dubai, suggested that the introduction of a youth or children’s orchestra would be even more of a boost to the arts.
“In countries that have a national youth orchestra, children have a goal and they can take pride in being part of a team,” said Ms Marshall, who served on the board of a national children’s orchestra in the UK.
“It would really encourage children from an early age. At the moment, there is an apathy in private schools because there is no opportunity, no vehicle, no platform for pupils to take their music further.
“When children access instruments at a young age, it’s amazing how accomplished they can become.”
She said the orchestra would encourage parents to “nurture their children’s interests by taking them to concerts”.
Ms Marshall’s youngest daughter started playing the concert harp after a musician came to her school to show various instruments to pupils.
Rob Hall, director of music at the British School Al Khubairat, said the national orchestra would promote creativity while giving many musicians something to strive towards.
“We are always looking at collaborating with other schools,” said Mr Hall, who was a member of a youth orchestra as a teenager in Britain.
“We want to find more opportunities for young musicians and bring people together
Jo Lee, director of performing arts at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, said the orchestra could show youngsters how much fun music can be
from different walks of life. We have a young musician who plays at the national youth orchestra in Ireland in the holidays. He comes back absolutely buzzing and it has a knock-on effect on all the musicians.
“Those memories are still with me and they will stay with these children, too. Music has such important mental and educational benefits.”