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Evaluation and reflection

NZSO at Te Papa  |  Programme  |  Student interviews  |  Issues for parents  |  Valuing music education  | Evaluation & reflection

Outreach programmes by the NZSO have an excellent effect on children. They experience something very special, and demonstrate this knowledge with a deep respect for the professional artist.

Bernard Wells, recorder tutor

I believe that music performances should be made accessible. Tickets to concerts and tuition for young people should be affordable and that way we will grow our creative expertise.

Andreas Lepper, percussion tutor

Evaluation

Part of the NZSO's mission is to reach as many people as possible with their music. By bringing the NZSO into the community, in this instance to Te Papa, they enabled a wide cross-section of people to experience the NZSO at work.

The setting was very informal compared to most NZSO performances – people were free to come and go as they liked, and there was no stage to separate the orchestra from the audience. Visitors looked at the players from both alongside and above, and mingled with the orchestra, getting a close view of the instruments and the musicians.

The visual experience enhanced the aural experience, and the various workshops held throughout the day gave an interesting insight into the differences between the sections that make up the orchestra.

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Opening ears and eyes

Through these types of events, the orchestra aims to open the ears and eyes of listeners of all ages to the fascinating world of symphonic music.

They hope that young people can take this experience back to the classroom, be inspired to learn more about music, and possibly become interested in learning musical instruments.

This is what three parents had to say about the Te Papa day:

  • "Opportunities such as this are brilliant because you can see how the music is made. The immediacy of live music has real impact on the viewers and listeners."
  • "With professional players like this, you get the opportunity to hear and see close up how effortlessly the best in the country perform. You can see their love for music."
  • "It is pleasant to listen to live music in this informal way in a venue where your children are welcome and, as parents, you are less anxious about their response."

Reflection

Whether we are performers, creators, or listeners and observers of music, the opportunity for richer and deeper understanding of music is nourished by our interaction with professional musicians.

Beginning in the early years, the accumulation of musical experiences at home, in school, and within the community shape our adult lives.

Many children have the opportunity to perform music through formal tuition – some choose to make music their lifetime specialisation, while others choose to listen to music for personal pleasure.

Professional artists are primary advocates of the authentic experience of creating, making, and experiencing their art form. A curriculum enriched by working with artists opens up new ways of approaching teaching and learning music. We need to explore further the potential of using professional musicians as teachers.

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