Vocational Visit in Stockholm City

I was collected bright and early by Thomas Schoenberg, an accomplished cellist and performer and headmaster of the Lidingo Music School, which provides experienced classroom and instrumental music teachers to schools and individuals (for a fee).

Throughout the day I was able to observe Junior and Middle School Musical rehearsals, some whole class music lessons as well as private instrumental lessons on piano and recorder (I have great admiration for the recorder teacher!!!). I also saw the new facilities that the school will use more permanently in the near future – they have acquired an old Power Station and are renovating it into a music suite and performance space. It looked great!

Some new ideas gained today was the use of facial expressions to show recognition of major and minor chords, and the use of simple melodies and motifs in place of spoken instructions (for example, playing a descending major 3rd to mean sit down, and an ascending major 3rd to stand up).  The children were very responsive to these musical instructions and demonstrated a competent level of musical memory and understanding.

All my school visits on this program have reinforced my belief that singing is one of the best ways to involve children and adults in music, and today was no exception. There was a high level of engagement evident in all the children in their singing and they all left with huge smiles on their faces.

Thank you to Thomas for taking time out of his busy schedule to spend with me!