Andrew Brown: Only the best is good enough for a child

Only the best is good enough for a child

Andrew Brown

Dr. Andrew Brown the Elementary School Choir at the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall, October 3, 2004 at the Freedom Forum in Arlington, VA.

As the German School Washington, D.C., celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, illustrious history a recent chapter of the bears mentioning. The school s German School has shown a consistent commitment to music education, which complements its rigorous science and language programs, promulgates German cultural heritage, and helps fulfill its commitment to reach out to the local Washington and greater American community. As a part of this commitment, the Kodaly Method of music education was initiated by Thomas Busch (music faculty from 2002-2010) and Thomas Lutz (elementary school principle 2000-2008) at the school to further education develop program. and This modernize DSW s music internationally established method has been initiated and requires further care to continue to bear fruit in the future. Music has always enjoyed special status at our school. In a world where virtual experiences increasingly rival real ones, the culture of active music making is still a part of everyday life for many Europeans. While arts education funding often loses the competition for decreasing resources at other schools, the German School Washington Society and its members continue to recognize the value of an excellent science and language curriculum rounded by equally challenging music and art programs. The strong music program is evidenced by events houses during the such as school the Kultursplitter coffee year and the sustained achievements of the choirs at regionally acclaimed concerts. Additionally, a large number of DSW pupils attend private instrumental lessons outside of school. As music teachers, we enjoy a level of sophistication

and enthusiasm for music among our students and community. Music is always a large part of seasonal celebrations, such as the St. Martin lantern festival, the annual Christmas concert, Fasching, and at scheduled events like the elementary school Schwimfest. The elementary school boasts an afternoon program featuring a choir and instrumental group of over twenty pupils each and several groups of recorder players. It is equipped with an extensive Orff instrument collection that was recently expanded by the elementary school principal, Ms. Dorothea Mielke (2008-2011). The Gymnasium possesses a collection of xylophones, percussion, and band instruments and an extensive library of sheet music. Mr. Busch, an experienced vocal performer and choir director from the region near Cologne, conducted ambitious concerts featuring pillars of German-speaking music tradition such as the J.S. Bach St. John Passion (2008), W.A. Mozart s Requiem (2007) and in his final performance at DSW, Carl Orff s Carmina Burana (2010). Dr.Teresa Klier (2010-present), Mr. Busch s successor, continues the DSW s commit- ment to reach out to the community at large by showcasing uniquely German choral, instrumental and musical theater public concerts.

Peter Schindler's Missa in Jazz is performed at the The Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Bethesda under the direction of Thomas Bush.

MaestroThomas Bush

enthusiastic music lover and great supporter of music education, was the perfect partner in laying the ground work of the Kodaly Method elementary school in 2003. The goal was to build a program of systematically advancing skills from the first through the eighth grades, focusing on singing, ear training, and the theoretical underpinnings of music practice through visual, oral, aural and physical means. That is, the Method approaches the same elements of musical skills such as rhythmic values, tone intervals, and even musical phrasing using approaches on the hearing, seeing, feeling and writing level. This multi-dimensional approach improves the chances that children with different ways of perception will comprehend and apply the relevant skills. The Method also emphasizes the importance of ear training, so that by identifying rhythmic patterns and distances between tones, these are much more easily applied to other forms of music, like playing the recorder or guitar. Consequently, a young musician can approach an instrument by inner singing rather than simply to pressing the correct finger on the correct place at the correct time.

Fortunately, our school continues to advance in elementary music education. Through awareness of our school s special music and the continued program, support the of Kodaly Method, the members, administration and board of the German School Society, DSW continues to grow its reputation as an educational center not only for science and language but also for the personal cultural development of its students.

Plakat: Bachs St John Passion, BWV 245 (above), and a piano concert at 2008 DSW Sommerfest.