Music Pathways brings opera into the primary school classroom

Music connects people, heals wounds, and bridges differences of language and culture. A feel for music and singing develops best at a young age, and studies show that children build stronger cognitive, emotional, relational and creative skills through music education. Yet arts and music education remain limited in the curriculum. That is why the IVC has developed Music Pathways for primary schools.

With this new programme, the IVC takes responsibility for its music-educational role and offers IVC singers the chance to put their vocal skills to work in a new way. Workshops are tailored to the age of the children and the themes in their lesson programme: a real opera singer lets children experience the power and excitement of opera at the highest level, in workshops such as 'Opera Unmasked', or the children work together to create an opera of their own. Every child uses their voice to contribute to the spectacle.

The IVC trains Dutch participants to give lessons, workshops and training, working alongside the national programme Meer Muziek in de Klas and local partner Huis73 in Den Bosch, with support from the Margreet Honig Foundation. After a successful introduction in Den Bosch, the IVC intends to expand Music Pathways to other cities in North Brabant, and to develop separate workshops for amateur choirs across the region.