Brief description
The Hans-Thomann-Foundation has supported Chemnitz‘ Annen School in its “wind instrument class” project. In the following, you will have the opportunity to read through the application materials we happily submitted and learn more details.

Application for support of our “wind instrument class“ project at the Annen School Chemnitz

Dear Mr Thomann, dear Madam/Sir,

The support assocation for Annen School in Chemnitz (Saxony) is a firm part of our school life and very actively involved in creating a stimulating, varied and pupil-friendly learning environment for our pupils.

Because the population of pupils at our school is very diverse (with many of them coming from families with a history of migration or socially deprived families) we always strive to offer all our pupils a broad choice of learning opportunities both during class times and also in their leisure time (all-day programme) based on our unique school concept.

Music has been playing an important part in these efforts for many years. Numerous events are held at our school throughout the school years, for example pupil meetings, a Christmas market, the talent festival, and charity events. In addition, pupils and teachers of Annen School also participate actively in events beyond the school, for example in the annual summer party in the “Reitbahnviertel” residential district.

As we have been able to equip our school auditorium with modern entertainment technology thanks to a number of donations, and as the auditorium is the place where many extracurricular classes take place (e.g. pupil band, a drama group, and others), we now have the opportunity to embark on a new project allowing further students access to making music and becoming actively involved in extracurricular activities.

We want to initiate the first “wind instrument class” at a Chemnitz secondary class.

The concept of a wind instrument class is a well-established concept. It involves children learning to play a wind instrument over two years in regular music lessons, and playing it in a pupils’ orchestra. The children require no prior knowledge or experience; they all learn their chosen instrument from the start.

Since many of our pupils face great difficulty in learning to play an instrument (for example by visiting a state or private music school), we as the school’s support association are particularly drawn to the concept of making music together. We therefore offer our support in the hope to be able to offer this to our pupils as well.

For the duration of the two years (years 5 and 6 are the likely years), the participating pupils are provided with an instrument for their own personal use. Instrument practice sessions and an orchestra rehearsal are scheduled for every week. The pupils can also take their instruments home and practice there. The results will then be presented to the general public in small concerts as part of school events. These concerts will no doubt become a high point for all involved.

One special feature of a wind instrument class is that from the first sound they make the children rehearse and play together as an orchestra. Apart from the personal benefit of learning an instrument, the social component of making music together is an important feature of the concept. Making music together means paying attention to each other, getting along and becoming part of something larger in order to achieve a common goal. This also develops each pupil’s personality and feeling of self-worth – this is an important concern for our school.

In addition, learning an instrument as part of a wind instrument class also aims at sustainability and external impact, as we will be accompanied and supported throughout the duration of this project by the Chemnitz Young Brass Band. Band members will lend us their expertise in teaching the instruments and assist in leading the orchestra, and the band will offer a way for pupils to continue making music once the two project years have come to an end. The wind instrument class is therefore also a way for the band of meeting new musical talent which in turn will invigorate the musical tradition in Chemnitz in general.

We therefore regard this project as a further important part of our efforts to promote and strengthen a sense of community among all our pupils both inside and outside of school, regardless of their background and financial means. A wind instrument class builds many bridges and leaves positive and lasting impressions both with the musicians and those attending their performances.

As the support association, we wish to acquire the necessary instruments for the whole class in order to allow as many pupils as possible to participate in the wind instrument class. Up to 28 pupils will join the class. In total, the costs for purchasing the instruments and the necessary equipment run to 29,000 euros, a sum which we can only come up with if we find significant support from a large number of donors.

We would therefore be very grateful if you, too, could lend us your support in any form to enable us to realise this project.

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors
Daniel Drescher
(Music teacher and project coordinator for “wind instrument class“ project coordinator)