Traditional Knowledge and practices are brought together with discoveries of modern pedagogy and neurological research. The experience of the last decades in Music Education worldwide has shown that culturally sensitized and integrative new approaches work far better in imparting to the young generation the sense of wonder of music, the principles of harmony and the possibilities of a creative and fulfilled life.

We are observing a fast growing interest of parents, young people, teachers, schools and professional musicians for a more profound Music Education and professional Music Teacher’s Training. Modernisation and development of music education is discussed worldwide as well as the integration of music education into the Indian school curriculum. Our applied research and development of teaching and learning methods will bring a new and unique integral method for training professional musicians and future music teachers.

We aim to create a musical education in Auroville, which provides academic excellence and at the same time promotes physical, psychological and mental well-being. SVARAM has initiated a 2-year study and research on “Music for the Growing Soul – Integral Approaches to Music Practice and Teaching” in Sept. 2012. The project worked toward a synthesis of innovative and traditional practices and developed a conceptual framework which can formulate, expose and provide an integral approach for curriculum development, teaching and learning materials and methodologies including a selected range of world music instruments. The concept has established a collaboration with University of Salzburg, Mozarteum consisting of ongoing seminars and further developing pilot projects.The experience of the last decades in Music Education worldwide has shown that culturally sensitized and integrative new approaches work far better in imparting to the young generation the sense of wonder of music, the principles of harmony and the possibilities of a creative and fulfilled life. We work toward a synthesis of innovative and traditional practices to develop a conceptual framework which can formulate, expose and provide an integral approach for curriculum development, teaching and learning materials and methodologies including a selected range of World Music Instruments.

Based on the qualities of different materials (stone, clay, wood, bamboo, reed, metal, glass, animal hides…) and the diverse ways of sound production (flutes, solids, strings, skins and voice) with a symbolic correlation to the elements (air, fire, water, earth and ether) a simple yet richly variable framework is set for creative encounter with and deepening research of the uniquely human faculty of musical expression and its means and instruments.

Musical instruments can be very useful learning tools for

• motoric and movement, physical skills
• sensory awareness and relation to space and environment
• expression and communication, emotional and social skills
• creativity and concentration, cognitive capacity
• coordination, duration, time perception of rhythmic cycles

They so can contribute substantially to the emergence of intelligence and emotional balance through creative self expression and physical wellbeing towards an integral development of the growing child.

The inherent, unseen quality of sound reminds and opens the child to the mystery of life, hidden in the apparently inanimate world of matter. This special life giving, ‚pranic‘ quality of musical instruments had always been revered in the Indian Tradition and held sacred and it is important that the growing child learns from the beginning to approach musical instruments with this attitude of awe and wonder, learning about and playing with the ‘magic’ of sound.

Thus introduced, musical instruments can become helpers and friends for the child and are clearly differentiated from other learning materials and toys. It is obvious through this that the placement and storage of musical instruments in the learning environment shall be chosen with careful consideration, possibly combining it with the creation of a ‘sacred space’ which the children can approach on their own according to need and tendency. On request SVARAM provides a fully equipped instrument cupboard for proper storage, easy accessibility and prominent visibility of the instrument selection.

The explorations, free play and concentrated practises with sound and music should find their dedicated place and space in every educational environment to enhance the individual, group and social development and competency. SVARAM is glad to be able to offer its carefully selected range of instruments and consultancy services in Integral Music Pedagogy.

Please contact us here or visit our showroom and research station through a pre-arranged appointment.