- Music tutoring sessions for both guitar and piano offered at Sound Circle
Exploring the guitar or banging on the drums - a lot of children and teens have an interest in, but many end up struggling due to the rigid teaching methods in conventional music schools. The primary school in Loening (part of Cloppenburg) has come up with a solution that caters specifically to budding musicians who might find traditional lessons intimidating: the "Sound Circle", conceived by musician and music educator Chris Bruns, is designed to offer a seamless entrance into the realm of music.
Equipped with tablets, students can practice and hear their exercises using headphones. Additionally, all instrument stations are networked, allowing for silent band practice sessions, explains Bruns. Teachers can guide students through their learning journey with the help of a microphone and can adjust the teaching approach to individual needs.
Bruns says the concept for the project originated in 2020 and was developed with the assistance of pianist and piano teacher Yacine Khorchi. "In 2023, we secured funding eligibility for the Sound Circle platform via the Digital Pact," says Bruns. The city of Loening submitted the project to the state as the school's representative and received approval for funding.
Over the past few weeks, a room at the school has been transformed into the "Sound Circle". There are now 21 instrument stations - 8 for keyboards, 8 for guitars, and 5 for drums - where the approximately 400 students of the Gelbrink school can learn and grow in the coming years.
"Through the after-school program, various working groups will be conducted," says Bruns. The goal is for both children and teachers to experience their first foray into instruments and the learning platform. Bruns is also looking to share his approach with other schools and educational institutions.
The transformation of the school room into the "Sound Circle" has made it possible for over 400 students at Gelbrink school to explore music outside of the conventional school environment. Despite the success of the "Sound Circle", many children still may find the initial steps into traditional music schools challenging due to their rigid teaching methods.
