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.

Covid challenges

The year 2021 was interrupted by covid waves twice. After the first big wave in 2020 schools were reluctant to invite the Classic Express. In Fall 2021 it still took some time to find schools who were willing to cooperate. Even with a corona protocol it seemed too big a risk to have so many kids in a bus.

It was great to finally, in October 2021, schedule experiments in four schools: Rotterdam, Goes, Heerenveen, Ypenburg and Zandvoort. So many days of experiments seemed a dream come true.

Unfortunately the last wave of corona at the end of 2021 started just too soon. All schools except Rotterdam and Zandvoort cancelled last minute, all preparations being made.

It is still unsure if these schools will again invite the Classic Express in Spring 2022.

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