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The Center of Musical
Experimentation for Children (CeSMI) is a nonprofit cultural
organization that was founded in Viterbo
(Italy) in 1995.
In 2003 a new branch has opened in Rome. The primary goal of the Center
is to experiment with and develop various methods of instrumental musical
education for children, with particular emphasis given to the philosophy of
the pedagogue Shinichi Suzuki. The Center proposes a type of music
education based on imitation, following Suzuki's approach to learning music as if it were a child’s mother tongue, and addresses the
early development of musical culture in children as the foundation of education in general.
This derives from the
conviction that music, being an international language, represents a means
of expression that goes beyond verbal communication, allowing a dialogue
between children of different countries and cultures. It can become a
means for cultural exchanges with likeminded music students abroad, as has
occurred on repeated occasions between the Center and the Suzuki Kinder Orchester of Berlin and
through exchanges with other institutions, as well.
The Center has attempted to
go beyond the proposals of standard musical pedagogy and has involved
students in:
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public recitals (concerts in Viterbo, Tuscania, Sant’Oreste,
Bracciano, Roma);
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Interdisciplinary laboratories in folk dance, choir, rhythm and
movement, multimedia and computer, Alexander technique;
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participation in public school presentations
with the Viterbo public schools;
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concerts in hospitals and clinics.
The educational project that
the Center proposes has as its objective the development of the
socialization skills of its young students through music learning. The
sensitivity which is developed through instrumental education is seen as a
springboard for creative and artistic development. In this process, the role of the family is of primary importance; the teacher's
aspiration is to help parents become active partners in their child's
learning experience.
The objective is therefore not that of
creating future professional musicians - although this
obviously cannot be excluded - but to develop in the child, a strong
sensitivity towards music and art in general, contributing in a constructive
and harmonious manner to his overall development.
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