1000 music students from Baselland
In September 2023, the music schools of the canton of Basel-Landschaft showed that you can achieve a lot when you stand together. Over 1000 children and young people from all 15 music schools performed together on stage in the Roman theater Augusta Raurica in Augst.
"We never expected something like this to be possible," says Martin Burgunder, president of the organizing committee and board member of the cantonal Association of Music Schools Baselland. In front of 3,000 visitors and in glorious late summer weather, music students presented four very different concerts with pieces ranging from Edvard Grieg to Ed Sheeran, from John Williams to a world premiere by Stephan Hodel entitled "Rock me, Augusta". Several members of the cantonal government, who attended the concerts under the joint title "Musica Raurica" and gave very positive feedback in personal discussions.
"We wanted to publicize the work of the music schools," says Burgunder, "And we wanted to give the children an experience they would never forget."
The idea for the large-scale event was born around three years ago. All school principals were involved and interested teachers were able to get involved in one of the four large formation projects. The result was a joint effort by the entire canton, characterized by enthusiasm and a high level of commitment, mostly on a voluntary basis. When asked what he would recommend to other cantons that would like to tackle such a project, Burgunder says: "Just have courage and do it!" He sees the networking of music schools in the canton, which "Musica Raurica" has made possible, as very pleasing and is convinced that it will have a long-term effect.
Around 9,000 children and young people in the canton of Basel-Landschaft currently attend individual lessons at one of the 15 music schools. A further 4000 pupils attend group courses such as choir, orchestra, band, theater or dance. More than 500 teachers provide up-to-date lessons on almost every musical instrument.
