Classic Express Research project by Ilona Sie Dhian Ho

In a combined qualitative and quantitative research the influence of storytelling in concerts for children is analyzed. In a controlled setting, The Classic Express (mobile concert hall), groups of schoolchildren attend either a concert with or a concert without storytelling. The groups, similar in socio- economic background and age, are compared. In a quantitative research the involved listening, the felt emotional intensity, the interest in classical music and the interest in actively playing an instrument, will be measured. For quantification new grading systems are developed by scientists and musicians in a collaborative process. In a qualitative research on the influence of storytelling the focus is on children with severe learning disorders. The emotional responses of these children in concerts with and without storyelling, and in combination with participatory elements (moving, gestures) are observed by teachers and caretakers, They compare their observations in the concert to the normal behaviour of their pupils. Both Interviews with the teachers and their grading of arousal, attention and emotional levels in the concert will provide data that will be analyzed by the reserachers. This research is the first study of The Classic Expression Research Group, a group of researchers from the Royal Conservatoire and Leiden University, collaborating to provide new insights on the impact of presentation techniques in classical concerts.

Vivian de Graaff

Why did I join the Classic Expression Research Group

Currently, the audiences of classical music concerts are aging. The accretion of younger people playing an instrument or showing interest in classical music shrinks. There are multiple possible reasons for that, one of them that too little attention is paid to classical music in primary school. It could also be that the way of offering this music is not interesting for children and that children do not feel connected to the music. Orchestra Morgenstond, an ensemble consisting of conservatory students, addresses this flaw by incorporating classical music into a theatric story. I was part of this orchestra for the last four years and I have seen in practice that this approach seems to work in involving children in classical music. I am exited about investigating this effect in the Classic Express. I hope that the results we find will contribute to my future ways of performing and setting up projects.

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