Tags:
Journalism of Courage
A total of 280 piano learners from the city appeared for examinations at various levels conducted by the Trinity College of London
A key to increase concentration, perseverance, patience and perfection- there is significant rise in the number of students passionately learning music. When you play music you discover a part of yourself that you never knew existed 8212; Bill Evans
Vera Pooniwala, representative of the Trinity College of London i n Pune who runs the Saint Cecilia School of Music says, 8220;Earlier there were few students and the examiner who came all the way from London to assess the student8217;s performance barely waited for a day or two in the city. Now the examiner has to halt for more than two weeks, as she has to judge so many students.8221;
What is remarkable is that the students who have been coached by various tutors across the city have scored extremely well. 8220;They are all an enterprising lot,8221; says Pooniwala. One of the students who appeared for the grade I piano examinations is 60 8211; year 8211; old! For the toppers it is a time to celebrate. Mithilesh Pradhan, final year engineering student from College of Engineering Pune is ecstatic when he scored 97 per cent in the first concert certificate examination. That too after just two years of learning how to play the piano! 8220;Playing the piano is like an addiction. I just have to make the time,8221; says Mithilesh who did initially learn Indian classical music.
Neil Alva8217;s performance was also rated excellent as this third year computer-engineering student scored 90 per cent at the Performer8217;s Certificate examination. 8220;It8217;s simple and a case of time management. I practice at home, play at church and devote enough time for studies as well,8221; says Alva. Like Pradhan and Alva there are several students who have scored good marks. Mitali Bafna who studies in Standard IX at Saint Mary8217;s school says playing the piano is a way to relax. 8220;It even helps me concentrate in my studies,8221; she smiles as she scored 89 per cent in Grade IV piano examination.
There are almost 36 tutors, spread across the city and apart from managing their own chores; they have avidly taken up the challenging profession of training students. Says Lancelot D8217;Souza of the Lanvin music academy, 8220;Learning music is not only fun but it helps students develop qualities like concentration, perseverance, patience and perfection.8221; But of course of utmost importance is the love and interest for music, says D8217; Souza. Esther Kashyap, a Khadki based tutor too feels that there is a huge market for people wanting to learn music and later teach or play in smaller bands.
