Con Amore School hosts musical workshop
The partners of Chords of Community come together to celebrate their three-year partnership.
The Con Amore School recently hosted the Chords of Community event to celebrate a three-year partnership between several music institutions.
The school welcomed representatives from the Norwegian Academy of Music (project lead), the University of the Witwatersrand (SA), the Field Band Foundation (SA) and the Norwegian Band Federation.
The five-day event was part of a collaborative project to uplift higher music education (HME) in SA and Norway through international partnerships.
The initiative focuses on raising the standard and relevance of music education while promoting diversity, inclusion and intercultural understanding.
ALSO READ: Con Amore School chosen for fundraiser beneficiary
Acting CEO of the Field Band Foundation and the founder of Music for All, Ushama Ross Jerrier, reflected on the partnership, saying that while the three-year formal agreement is ending, the strong relationship between the organisations will endure.
“We have had a strong relationship with Norway for many years, but the Norwegian Academy of Music gave us an incredible opportunity to expand our impact in SA.
“While this marks the official end of the three-year partnership, it does not mean the end of our collaboration. Our partners are here to see what we have achieved together, and I am grateful for what we have built,” said Jerrier.
During the event, students from the Norwegian Academy of Music performed for the Con Amore School learners and involved them in interactive performances, singing, and dancing together.
The music groups from Con Amore School, Birchleigh, and Alexandra also participated in rehearsals.
The Norwegian students shared aspects of their musical culture while embracing SA musical traditions.
Although they found many similarities, they said they learnt something new about music’s power in communication and cultural exchange.
ALSO READ: Con Amore School teacher wins at Powerlifting Congress
Julie Vestrheim, a learner at the Norwegian Academy of Music, shared her excitement about experiencing SA culture for the first time, “This is my first trip to SA, and I am overwhelmed by the positivity, especially the musical interactions. The way we work together is different from Norway, but I love it. Everyone is warm and welcoming.
“It’s amazing to see how learners with special needs respond to music, and I admire how inclusive South Africans are,” she said.
The Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo offers a range of performance programmes in jazz and classical music.
Over the past 20 years, its music education department has collaborated with countries outside Europe to give Norwegian students a broader perspective on the world.
ALSO READ: Con Amore School learners enjoy fun soccer day
Associate Professor Jon Helge Sætre said inclusion played a key role in partnering with the Field Band Foundation.
“We partnered with the Field Band Foundation because they have had a long-standing collaboration with the Norwegian Band Federation.
“It made sense to build on that connection. The main goal of this project is collaboration, especially in promoting inclusive music education,” said Sætre.
“Our students participate in the Field Band Foundation rehearsals and visit places like special schools and early childhood development centres. The Field Band Foundation is a great example of inclusion in action, and we have much to learn from them.”
ALSO READ: Con Amore School to host fundraiser in support of Autism Awareness Month
Meanwhile, the Norwegian Band Federation will continue working with the Field Band Foundation to use music to bring people together.
Birgitte Grong, the national music consultant for the Norwegian Band Federation, emphasised the importance of working with children with special needs.
“Partnering with schools for children with special needs helps us develop and expand our knowledge. Music is a powerful way to communicate. Through it, we can connect with all kinds of people,” said Grong.
