The Harmonie Foundation

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After wandering around near Prague Castle, looking for the inconspicuous office building where I was supposed to meet Milada, a new manager for the Harmonie foundation, I finally met my interviewee. Milada has only been with the Harmonie foundation for a few months, but she knew a lot about the oranization and seemed very passionate about their cause. The harmonie foundation offers music lessons to students who would not normally have access to it as well as opporunities to play in a student orchestra. Music education is done primarily outside of school and usually takes the form of private lessons outside of school. These private institutions do not agree with the focus on group playing the harmonie foundation prioritizes, however. 

I was also able to sit in on a lesson for this organization, after a mix up the first time I tried to observe when I ended up sitting outside the building just listening to the practice. The kids range from about 7-12 years old and they play violins, violas, and cellos. They warm up by repeating a little tune a teacher plays for them, which is great for ear training. I almost wish I was taught like that. This practice was the last rehearsal before their performance at a gypsy fair the next day, so joking was kept to a minimum. I notice one boy that would close his eyes as he played, really living in the music. I could see the pure joy on his face. 

I also had the chance to do an impromptu interview with the conductor as we walked to a coffee shop we never stopped at. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the day. 

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