The Musical Weeks are a child of the post-war period. They were launched in the 1950s in what was then West Berlin to promote the cultural reconstruction of the city.
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Musischen Wochen
In 1975, another model project was added: the music-orientated primary schools. Most of them were set up in low-income neighbourhoods so that socially disadvantaged children could also learn to play an instrument.
Once a week, they receive 45 minutes of free group instrumental lessons and also take part in a music club. There are now 17 music-orientated primary schools in Berlin, and the former school trial is considered exemplary throughout Germany.
Katharina Günther-Wünsch, Senator for Education, Youth and Family, emphasises the importance of musical education at school: ‘Making music together is not only a lot of fun, it is always an experience and also promotes cognitive and social skills. Every child can contribute according to their abilities and possibilities. This requires and strengthens self-confidence, willingness to make an effort and tolerance and supports educational processes.’
The Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family and the Landesmusikrat Berlin e.V. work closely together to organise the Musical Weeks. Hella Dunger-Löper, President of the Landesmusikrat Berlin, also refers to the worsening nationwide shortage of teachers on the occasion of the anniversary of the music-orientated primary schools: ‘Children who experience themselves in music, in community with others, carry a treasure within them. Let's make sure that this early and joyful access to music-making is maintained in the future.’
Dates:
- 26 May Workshop concert of the music-focused primary schools in the main hall of the Philharmonie Berlin
- 19 June and 4 July Berlin school ensembles in the Chamber Music Hall of the Philharmonie.
