Bamberg Symphony Orchestra are partners of Bavaria’s first “CultureSchool“

“Schools shall not only transmit knowledge and skills, but also build hearts and characters” (State Constitution of Bavaria)

 

Bamberg council’s culture and schools department is planning to transform the elementary and middle school “Am Heidelsteig” into a “CultureSchool” in a three-year pilot phase beginning in September 2014. The school would thus become Bavaria’s first “CultureSchool”, becoming a trailblazer in the state’s existing school system.

The Bamberg Symphony Orchestra is proud to offer its sustainable and long-term support to this project as a cooperation partner of the music department.

 

What is a „CultureSchool“?

In September 2011, the state of Hesse certified the five first German „CultureSchools“ after a three-year pilot period. This school improvement measure has proven highly successful, and the third round of tenders is ongoing for potential participating schools. Bavaria has not been offering a comparable programme so far. (www.kultur.bildung.hessen.de/kulturelle_praxis)

“CultureSchools” are characterised by the broad choice of cultural education they offer across all school years and which significantly contributes to the personality development of all participating students.“

Being a “CultureSchool“ means …

… regarding cultural education as an indispensable element of general education, and integrating the furthering of young people’s aesthetic intelligence into their overall development.

… bridging the cultural divide that separates children of different social and ethnic backgrounds, and ensuring they come closer together culturally.

… consistently encouraging students to actively participate in artistic processes and by supporting their creative capacities improving their social skills at the same time.

… being an arena of cultural exchange, where partners from outside the school can impart aesthetic competence and create artistic projects.

 

A „CultureSchool“ relies on highly motivated teachers, who are willing to explore new ideas, to enrich their lessons with cultural cooperation projects and who are able to introduce the out-of-school partners’ know-how.

 

The Bamberg Symphony Orchestra’s contribution

The Bamberg Symphony Orchestra is determined to support the „Am Heidelsteig“ elementary and middle school in becoming a „CultureSchool“ from the 2014/15 season onwards sustainably across the school years. However, this involves expenses which go beyond the orchestra’s existing education budget.

 

Hands-on Music
Visits of orchestra musicians in all of the Heidelsteig school’s classes and age-appropriate introduction to instruments, composers and works (up to 20 regular events per school year).

 

CultureDay concert
A concert with musician and academic members of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra in the Heidelsteig School’s gym. This concert is to be part of the CultureDay, which is planned to take place once every year before the summer holidays and which will provide students with the opportunity to present their various cultural projects to a general audience. Students will be involved in the organisation and moderation of this CultureDay concert, and they will be musicians, too.

This concert will reach out to people not normally in the audience of our regular concerts – parents and residents of the school in their own social environment.

 

Heidelsteig Schhol visits the Concerts Hall
An annual invitation for all students and teachers of Heidelsteig School to visit a final rehearsal of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and explore the behind-the-scenes world of the orchestra, have guided backstage tours, all under the age-appropriate guidance of chief conductor Jonathan Nott (the invitation includes the provision of a bus free of charge).

 

Pilot period as Pilot School Culture: 2014 – 2017
Developing a „CultureSchool“ cannot be hurried; it requires sufficient development and experimentation opportunities. Thus, the three years from September 2014 to Juli 2017 have been designated a pilot period and the school a Pilot “CultureSchool”. Upon completion of the period and thorough evaluation of the achievements, the title of “CultureSchool” will be awarded to Heidelsteig school.

During the pilot period, long-term education formats for the various age groups will be developed with the cooperation partners, while at the same time, sponsors and advocates will be won to ensure the long-term financing of the CultureSchool.

 

“Am Heidelsteig“ elementary and middle school’s profile
The “Am Heidelsteig“ elementary and middle school is located in an eastern district of Bamberg in a socially deprived area. The school has about 300 students, and most years have 2 classes. The middle school provides both morning school and all-day school in parallel classes.

The children and teenagers come from a variety of ethnic and social backgrounds (a high percentage come from homes where German is not a primary language and/or from homes with family or social challenges), and most come from homes unaccustomed to engaging with (German) culture or excluded from participation in cultural activities due to their financial situation.

The “Am Heidelsteig” school has intensively and continually participated in Bamberg council’s culture and education services’ “Culture.Classes” project, and decided in early 2014 to take up cultural education as a component part of the entire school, more in-depth than before and expanded to all years, and in doing so to embark on becoming a “CultureSchool”. Bamberg council’s culture and education services department supports the school in this effort and provides consultancy. (www.heidelsteigschule.de)

Becoming a “CultureSchool” is a particular challenge to Heidelsteig school, since it is located in a deprived area. Achieving success requires the involvement of dedicated cooperation partners. The Bamberg Symphony Orchestra is committed to joining the school for the long term in taking this courageous step: We regard this as an important element in meeting our social responsibilities!