Despite the crisis, parents invest eagerly and heavily in their offspring's musical development. This is the finding of the Utrecht Centre for the Arts (UCK). Their talent development programmes are running well. "Parents now choose to spend money on this more consciously than ever. They also come along to lessons more often and let their children start at an increasingly younger age," says cello teacher Floris Dercksen.
Growth
Last Friday, Hart van Nederland broadcast one item out about the dire situation of music dealers and schools. One music school owner said that due to budget cuts and declining pupil numbers, he has to lay off staff and can no longer afford his accommodation. It UCK was called for a response. Their mostly positive story was not used. Head of Music Jan Pardon: "It didn't fit the item. Of course, we are also noticing a lot of cutbacks and the crisis. There are fewer 'recreational' participants and pupil numbers are falling on some instruments. But fortunately, we also see growth in the area of talent development. And our branch in Leidsche Rijn is doing very well. Registrations there are only increasing. Probably because it is a neighbourhood with many young children, where there is not much else to do."
Music for preschoolers
A good example of a talent development programme that is becoming increasingly popular is the music programme for preschoolers PI. The KLA started this intensive course, developed by the conservatoire in The Hague, three years ago. "Every Saturday, 27 children aged five to seven receive two hours of music lessons. They learn to play an instrument by ear. Seven teachers are present every lesson, who in addition to the lessons also put a lot of time into monitoring each child and conversations with parents," explains Sarah Noorlag, music teacher and coordinator of PI. "We require parents to be present during lessons. That may seem like a lot to ask, but we find that parents love being there. They see their child develop and grow. Not only musically, but also in terms of concentration, social skills and resilience."
Applications for the PI programme are increasing every year. This year, there are 50 applications. It was therefore decided to increase the number of participants. "During a trial lesson, we see if children have an aptitude for music and are enthusiastic. Based on that, we put together the group," Noorlag says. "From September, there will be a follow-up PI, on Friday afternoons. Parents are very keen to continue working this way. There is also PI Plus, the preliminary course for a conservatoire education."
Involved parents
The KLA is very confident about the survival of PI and other talent development programmes. Pardon: "There will always be a large group of parents who think their child's musical development is important. These parents consider it part of their child's education and take the price tag for granted. We find that parents are only getting more involved. They bring lunch and stay the whole Wednesday afternoon. They also interact a lot with each other. Making music is a social event." Noorlag calls PI "a golden formula". "Children are interested in music at a younger and younger age. My child is five and already wants to play drums," she laughs.
Dismissed
At the Utrecht centre, there are no relocations or redundancies as yet. Yet the cuts are severe. The subsidy will be cut by two-thirds. "With us, most teaching costs are paid by clients, not subsidies. Enrolments in some disciplines, such as dance, do decline. So it may be that teachers will be offered a smaller contract," says Pardon. "But, I have also assured my teachers that they are really the last ones to go out."
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