PANAJI
As the various restrictions imposed on the activities of institutions and organisations are being lifted gradually, things are coming to their normal. The music classes at Child’s Play were stopped in 2020 after the lockdown was announced, though the music institute tried different methods to keep the lessons going. “For us, online classes have not been possible because many of our students do not have access to steady internet services,” disclosed Dr Luis Dias, founder, Child’s Play India Foundation, adding further that in the past couple of months, there has been efforts in restarting classes. “Few children from the Auxilium school project come over once a week for lessons in violin, cello, and theory. Keeping the current situation in mind, the classes are staggered, with only siblings at a time or solo lessons. For cello, we have an occasional group class, for two-three students to play together,” stated Dr Luis.
Meanwhile, the institute is building its music library as child-friendly books with lovely illustrations and stories introducing children to the orchestra, composers and the great works, came in as gifts. These books will help students to have an all-rounded music education and know more than just the piece they are studying. These books will generate interest in music history and theory in a fun way. Earlier this year, the music school received the donation of a Pearl River upright piano which is installed in their office in St Inez and will be used once the classes resume.
