Music as a Global Resource: - International Council for Caring ...

SECTION:
Music for Sustainable Community Development
COUNTRY:
Finland
PROJECT:
MUSIC FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS: RESONAARI
MUSIC SCHOOL
DESCRIPTION:
The Resonaari Music School has given learners with special needs a chance to engage in a goaloriented
study of a musical instrument. It has created educational equality and democratic
musicianship. Learning and participating in music activities have empowered Resonaari‘s
students to step from the margins and become active members of society in many ways. As such,
Resonaari‘s work can be regarded as cultural social work. In the case of some students the
musical skills they have acquired have enabled them to become musicians and artists. They have
received national publicity through the media and performed in numerous concerts and events. As
a result, their musicianship status is sparking a cultural change in all of us.
Under Finnish law, the central government and local authorities have a responsibility to arrange
cultural activities that can reach everyone. However, people of all ages who have difficulties
studying music with ordinary methods due to physical or intellectual limits cannot fully benefit
from this. Resonaari is the only music school in Finland, and one of the few in the world designed
primarily for students with special educational needs. The latest project for Resonaari is a Senior
Project in which elderly people are learning music by playing in a band.
Special Music Centre Resonaari has three basic goals:
Educational Equality
Democratic Musicianship
Cultural Social Work
CURRENT STATUS:
Resonaari Music School has nearly 200 active students and 9 teachers. The Resonaari Music
School follows the requirements of Finnish National Curriculum for Education in the Arts and
consequently enjoys official music school status in Finland. The Research and Development Unit
has ongoing academic research projects in co-operation with Sibelius Academy and Helsinki
University. A two-year EU-project ‖Music for All‖ with Latvian and Estonian partners started in
2009. Resonaari‘s unique project has generated widespread international interest. A
Figurenotes book has been published in Estonian, Japanese and Italian. Moreover, the system is
being tested in projects with partners in Ireland, Scotland, and Iceland. Special Music Centre
Resonaari received a Special Commendation at the inaugural of International Music Council‘s
(IMC) Musical Rights Awards held during IMC‘s World Forum on Music in Tunis (October
2009).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
www.resonaari.fi
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Organization: Special Music Centre Resonaari
Contact Person: Markku Kaikkonen, Director
Phone: +358-400-766 712 /
Email: resonaari@helsinkimissio.fi
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