An ensemble of rhythmic compositions
small hearts thumping and small fingers shaking, children clad in stylish black-and-white clothes begin their version of familiar songs as the spotlight concentrates and throws its shine. The Music Academy’s hallways are filled with the iconic theme from “The Pink Panther” and Fur Elise, as well as jazzy renditions of Mozart’s well-known works on Saturday night.
Anxious parents applaud as their kids produce mesmerizing melodies, clap, and cherish the moments captured on camera. About sixty students perform during the Symphony Music School’s sixth edition of its music event, showcasing their proficiency on a range of instruments as well as lessons learned. The small theater echoes with the sounds of a saxophone, drums, veena, bass, guitar, and pop hits, as well as songs from Hindi films and Tamil classical music. Harikrishnan founded Symphony Music School in 2009 with the goal of educating children in the city about music.
Harikrishnan, their proud instructor, is backstage in the wings making sure the sound equipment is in working order and offering comforting support. The artist, who has been a teacher for more than ten years, adds, “These performances give them a stage to make them more confident and boost their level of learning in music.” The number of performances at the school’s yearly recitals has tripled from 20 to 30 in the last five years.
According to Hari, the majority of musical performances are confined to the school’s yearly events or contests. “You cannot acquire a stage if you are a newbie. It is quite difficult for the children to gain a spot, even for a one-minute performance. Amateurs and those who have been studying for the last five or six years are now among us. Here, younger children will be motivated by older ones, and when they go on stage and experience praise themselves, they’ll be eager to participate again the following year, he says.
According to S Priyan, business development manager for South India and Sri Lanka at RSL Awards, practicing these motor skills improves left and right brain coordination and aids children’s academic performance. He states, “Those who take music very seriously have higher chances of becoming successful,” stressing the value of tests in registering musical proficiency.
Singer and actress Andrea Jeremiah notes that she was reminded of her early piano lessons by this performance. “It is good that today’s children have somewhere to go, and the sooner you start learning music, the better. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Madras Music Garage, a new branch of Symphony Music School, is scheduled to open in Nungambakkam in April. The group is now rearranging its plans to include a string quartet in the yearly recital the next year.
