Panamanian Maestros receive international training in music teaching methodologies

Music is a tool to influence the comprehensive teaching of children and youths, especially in low-income populations. The development of cognitive skills such as reading and mathematics, and non-cognitive skills such as discipline, sense of belonging, and teamwork, are some of the effects of musical education. 

CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, with the support of the National Institute of Culture (INAC, for its acronym in Spanish, the counterpart of this program in Panama, carried out workshops from the "Music to Grow" program at the headquarters of the School of Diversified Arts and National Institute of Music, and at the Municipal School of the Mayor's Office of Panama. 

Nine instructors from the Sistema de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela (Youth and Children Orchestra System of Venezuela) worked from October 18-26 with Panamanian teachers on methodologies and techniques to improve the musical teaching of violin, cello, double bass, French horn, oboe, trumpet, flute, viola, and percussion. The group of instructors was made up by the National Director of orchestra groups in Venezuela, Andres Gonzalez, and the manager of the Simon Bolivar Orchestra, Victor Rojas, who also worked with the INAC team to identify key points and the next steps to strengthen the musical education project in Panama. 

Susana Pinilla, CAF's Director Representative in Panama stated, "The implementation of these workshops is an important contribution for the social development of vulnerable or at risk children and youths. Through music, we can teach these children, empowering them with positive values so they can become a generation of citizens who are aware of the fact that culture is a key factor for the transformation of societies". 

At the same time, Mariana Nuñez de Haugland, Director of INAC, highlighted that "The "Music to Grow" program seeks to change the lives of children and youths through high quality musical teaching. The INAC is committed to that objective, seeking the integration of the multiplying agents of this initiative, and providing an action platform, with the firm belief that culture is development". 

The training session ended with a concert at INAC's Anita Villalaz theatre, with the participation of 130 children and youths, accompanied by an orchestra made up of children and youths, a group of recorder players, percussion ensemble, and trumpet ensemble.  

CAF has been developing the "Music to Grow" program in different countries of the region for 14 years. It is based on itinerant training workshops with a novel methodology that provides renowned Venezuelan instructors to the children and youths of the beneficiary countries. These instructors travel for short periods of time and teach instrumental and choral techniques. 

In the past 12 years, "Music to Grow" has benefited 58 thousand children and youths in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. A total of 606 teachers have been trained, and 274 instrumental, choral, and lutherie workshops have been carried out in the region.