Literature/ Art/Music/Education - Best Places of Interest

December 1, 2017 Literature/ Art/Music/Education

What can international schooling do for your children?

With global competition for an opportunity of all kinds continuing to heat up, the pressure to make the right choices for your child’s future is high. One of the biggest choices you have to make is regarding education. Public, private, or independent? In what location? In which languages? Which curriculum? What advantages will it offer your child?

International schooling can provide answers to many of those questions. Available in many locations around the world, international schools typically offer many benefits, such as:

World-recognized curricula including the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP)
“Portable education” – consistent, high-quality instruction that’s recognized and transferable to other schools around the world that prepares students to achieve entry to world-class universities
Instruction in the English Language, often with support for first-language speakers, softens the challenges of living in a location where another language is used and sets children up for future international business success
Higher average GPA than most public schools
Diverse, international and generally well-traveled student body
Easier to integrate into than many homogeneous public schools, where differences can be cause for harassment
Social connections with a diverse community around the world
Greater understanding of other people and places due to exposure to a diverse student body
Focus on quality added-value and extra-curricular programming
Superior “soft-skills” development such as critical thinking and social interaction
Quality facilities and amenities such as healthier meal plans and activity programs
Opportunities for connection and support for the whole family

If you place a high priority on academic achievement, diverse programming and exposure to a well-traveled, well-educated world community, international schooling could be an excellent way to set your child up for the future. The quality of education, with programs such as the IB or AP curricula, accommodates moves during the school years and sets your child up to enter top universities around the world.

Building relationships with people from a variety of backgrounds are not only great for social development and critical thinking skills, it can lead to a deep network of connections and opportunities around the world in the future. The ability to make new friends, adjust to social situations, and maintain relationships across traditional boundaries can set children up for future success in a globalized economy. Comfort with travel and change are also essential skills in the evolving world.

Choosing the right international school for your child will depend on location, program, and other desired benefits. IB schools in Singapore or Hong Kong offer internationally recognized superior curriculum in world-class cities where English is widely understood and much of the Asia-Pacific region is within easy reach. Or perhaps an AP school in London or New York is a better fit, with strong academic programs and some of the best universities in the world just a short distance away.

Equip your child for the future with a world-class education at an international school. Education that not only gives children the knowledge they need to succeed but the connections, confidence and social comfort to build a happy, accomplished future.

David J Goldstein is an educational journalist with over 35 years of writing experience, and is currently researching different education methods from around the world.

November 29, 2017 Book reviews, Promotional

At the book launch of ‘Buried Seeds’ by Chef Vikas Khanna

I love watching Masterchef India so could not resist this invitation

Chef Vikas Khanna is an award-winning Michelin Starred Indian Chef, restaurateur, cookbook writer, filmmaker, humanitarian and judge of Master Chef India. Buried Seeds is a timeless story of struggle, passion, willpower, failure, and rise. It recreates his childhood, finding comfort in his grandmother’s kitchen and follows the journey of an immigrant enduring overwhelming obstacle and pain in achieving his dreams.

Prof. Dr. Y. G. Tharakan, First Guru of Chef Vikas Khanna & Current Dean, (Le Cordon Bleu School of Hospitality, GD Goenka University said, “A recipe has no soul, you must bring the soul to the recipe, Chef Vikas Khanna has strived hard to learn this art of giving soul to his recipes.”

Chef Vikas Khanna with a fan at the book launch — Chef Vikas Khanna at the book launch

Chef Vikas Khanna launched his biography “Buried Seeds” at GD Goenka University
“The book is all about my journey from Punjab where I grew up, my years in Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA), Manipal University, where I studied to become a Chef, and thereafter, all ups and downs, I have been through to become what I’m today. My life has been like a seed which had to be buried to grow in to a tree” and so the title of the book.” said Vikas.

Classics its Classy!- A Children’s Concert

At all Classics-it’s classy concerts, you are welcome to move and to dance, to sing along when suggested by the conductor, and to answer questions. And don’t forget to listen and watch carefully, so you don’t miss something interesting!

“When I was little, I sometimes went to “children’s concerts and almost suffered greatly! Suffered because it was always long and tediously, and most importantly, because the musicians usually played listlessly and uninterestingly. And so, when I grew up, I wanted to present for you such concerts to which you yourself would be interested in coming again and again. Because I’m sure if you like music as a child, then later in your life, you will not want to part with it.” ~ Evgeny Buskkov

So, I was at yet another performance at the NCPA. The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI), based at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai is India’s first and only professional orchestra. Evgeny Bushkov serves as the Resident Conductor, taking up the role in January 2017. He is also an animateur.

Read more here –Solo artists- Music by children

About the performances

The Strange Fairy Tale for chamber orchestra, soloists, and narrator was written in 2011. Efrem Podgaits simultaneously wrote both the music and the literary text of the tale. This composition continues the line started in his symphonic tale ‘Voyage to Orchestraland’ that became very popular and was performed in different cities of Russia. The emergence of this work was partially due to requests of chamber orchestra conductors, who didn’t have an opportunity to perform a large symphonic score.

Thus, at 3.00am on January 1, 2011, Efrem Podgaits seemed to hear the disturbing sounds of strings…Cellos were trembling in fear…Violas howled like the wind…Yes, this story happened in the Empire of strings and bows. The story is about two sisters, Princess Violin and Princess Cello, about Prince Viola and King Double Bass, about their hopes, sorrows, desperation, and love. This musical tale is interesting for children and adults, performers as well as listeners.

Efrem Podgaits is a Russian composer who was born in 1949. He has written 3 symphonies, 13 operas, and 26 concerti, and his music has been performed all across Russia and around the world, and he was named ‘Composer of the Year’ in 2002 by the Russian Magazine The Musical Review.

Children’s Corner

5 pieces for listeners and chamber orchestra by Mikhail Bronner

About the piece

In the performance of Mikhail Bronner’s Children’s Corner, the listeners had to be as involved as the orchestra, as the composer takes us on a trip to a fairy-tale land. The listeners got a rare opportunity to fool around during the performance, and the most courageous even got to perform a solo in the orchestra. The rest did not have an easy task they became the chorus. The listeners had to speak words, make a variety of sounds, and sometimes even stamp their feet. The beast that the author wants to portray with the help of the listeners have purely human character traits, and they were heard by the orchestra.

The piece had five movements:

Frog and sparrow
The cuckoo
Waltz of a sad little donkey
Song of an elderly goat

Overall, it was an enjoyable experience. Truly, Classics, it’s Classy!

PIN IT FOR LATER

Solo Artists- Music by Children

You may like to read Solo artists -Music by children

May 23, 2017 Literature/ Art/Music/Education

Solo Artists- Music by Children

Students of NCPA Special Music Training Programme

Children have incorporated varied interests in the early school days from dancing, singing, music, sports in their academic year. The schools have introduced this into their curriculum so that children develop all-round personality apart from their regular education.

I recently attended a children’s orchestra which left me quite impressed with the children’s performance. They performed as solo artists as well as with SOI (Symphony Orchestra of India) They have been coached under the special music training program.

The NCPA Special Music Training Programme was launched in 2012, to offer advanced instrument tuition to talented young children. The program offers a holistic music education that is inspired by the Russian Conservatoire method. Students receive substantial one-to-one tuition on their primary instrument, as well as second study piano lessons, group-singing teaching via the Solfeggio method, Music Theory classes and History of Music lectures. The Programme currently offers lessons on all orchestral string instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass) and piano, as well as on select woodwind and brass instruments, with plans to considerably expand the instruments offered soon. The instructors of the NCPA Special Music Training Programme are all full-time members of the Symphony Orchestra of India. They are professional musicians from Eastern Europe and the United States and have a wealth of international teaching and performing experience between them.

The National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) is India’s premier cultural institution. It was inaugurated in 1969, a multi-venue, multi-genre, cultural center in South Asia. The center preserves and promotes rich and vibrant artistic heritage in the fields of music, dance, theater, film, literature, and photography.

The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) based at the NCPA is India’s first and only professional orchestra, founded in 2006 by NCPA chairman Khushroo Santook and internationally renowned violin virtuoso Marat Bisengaliev who serves as Orchestra’s Music Director. SOI has performed internationally at the Hall of Columns, Moscow, the Royal Opera House, Muscat; and the Emirates Palace Auditorium, Abu Dhabi. They also have performed at Tonhalle, Zurich, Victoria Hall, Geneva and the Tonhalle, St. Galen in Switzerland.

About the young solo artists–

Maira Noor Singh joined the Special Music Training Programme in July 2013 to learn the violin. Over the years, she has become quite disciplined about her practice. Maira loves being part of the children’s orchestra and is proud of her dexterity with the violin. She has the privilege to perform as a soloist with SOI at NCPA, Prithvi Theatre and Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai. Besides this training, she is also a budding ballerina and a tennis enthusiast.

Shreyansh Sen has been learning the flute since the age of seven, in this training program. He has been trained in Western Classical Music in the style followed by the Russian conservatory, that requires rigorous practice, dedication and training. He has performed at several concerts at the NCPA, Prithvi and Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. Apart from music, he loves watching cartoon films and his superheroes the Avengers.

Nisha Ramakrishnan auditioned for this Special Music Programme at the age of six and has studied with Aida Bissengalieva ever since. Nisha has played piano solos at concerts held at NCPA, Prithvi, the Bombay Gym and the Turf Club. She was chosen to play three movements of a concerto at the annual concert at the NCPA in June 2016. For her, music is a source of happiness and comfort. She can’t imagine a time without her piano, which has brought so much beauty and adventure into her life.

Aliza Jetha started playing the violin at the age of 5 years. She switched over to the viola three and half years ago. Aliza feels having a scheduled time to practice each day also keeps her organized for her school work. She says she feels very privileged to play for children’s orchestra. It is great when many musicians play together to make beautiful music.

Naima Ramakrishnan was six when she accompanied her sisters to the NCPA one day. She happened to spot a cello and went up to examine it. Margarita Gapparova, one of the school’s cello teachers noticed this and asked Naima to try playing the huge instrument. Naima experimented with it and loved the sound. Soo Margarita and Naima decided that she would play the cello- and there was no looking back. She has performed cello solos at concerts held at NCPA, Prithvi, and the Turf Club. For a child who loves stories and writing, music is another way to connect with people and to help her imagination grow.

WATCH
Watch recent performances by the students here.