Hesse: The state government’s recorder project has started

Hesse
The state government’s recorder project has started

September 27, 2024, 4:05 a.m

Make music yourself instead of just streaming music: Hesse’s coalition agreement also provides for a school project with instruments that are somewhat out of fashion. What happened to it?

Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) – A much-quoted and sometimes ridiculed project by the Hessian state government has now been launched in 20 schools in order to “open the door to the world of music for children as early as possible” according to the coalition agreement: the Black-Red recorder project. As the Ministry of Education in Wiesbaden informed the German Press Agency, interested schools were able to apply to take part in June. Now, in the new school year, in some places there are already recorders for entire classes. School support associations would receive financial support when purchasing flutes. An online platform contains “explanatory videos, playing instructions, audio recordings and materials on posture, technique or care of the instrument”.

According to the Ministry of Education, the project, which started a few weeks ago, will be developed over the course of this school year, based on the schools’ existing expertise. “Different concepts should be designed that are individually tailored to the schools,” it continues. “In collaboration with the participating schools, teaching materials, learning videos and training units are created, tested, optimized and tailored to fit.” Music teachers and music clubs could also help develop models to support these schools with block-free flute lessons.

Criticism of the opposition

The Green opposition in the state parliament recently complained: “Recorders, federal youth games and gender bans: the state government’s priorities in the new education policy show very clearly: Instead of taking on the major challenges in our schools, the new education minister is busy” (Armin Schwarz, CDU ) prefers to use symbolic politics. This could also lead to financial cuts in education policy.

Wiesbaden primary school music teacher Sabine Schmand says: “Recorders have been unpopular for decades, but they offer a good opportunity to encourage children to make music. Soprano recorders have a good range, are inexpensive and easy to clean and do not break as easily with elementary school students as violins.

“Different access to sheet music”

The state government’s project is good because it promotes the joy of making music among the youngest students right from the start. Your own playing practice is “a completely different approach to music notes,” emphasizes Schmand. It is important to have entire classes learn the recorder: “If it is just a working group, you won’t reach all the children. Some people prefer to play football or don’t come because they belong to less educated backgrounds.”