Solidarity music school association - "WIMU is more of a family than a school"
A special association emerged from concerts for refugees in Würzburg in 2015: Willkommen mit Musik - WIMU for short. The tuition fees for singing and instrumental lessons at WIMU are based on the financial possibilities of the students. For many of those involved, WIMU is more than a music school.
“I didn't know anything about the piano or how to play the piano, how to read sheet music. And now I can read music, I can choose any piece and if I practice it well, then I can play it well afterwards, ”says Nayiry Arslanian.
The 22-year-old came to Germany from Syria three years ago - and had actually wanted to learn to play the piano as a child. But due to the war in her home country and the flight, first to Lebanon, then to Germany, where she is now catching up with her Abitur, she had at some point put the thought of such luxury aside. Until a friend told her about WIMU eV, the solidarity music school, with the low fees. There she has actually had the lessons she longed for for a year and a half - and her piano skills are growing and flourishing.
The double bass player and electric bass player Jonas Hermes is one of the founders and teachers of the music school and now runs its office. He recalls:
“In 2014 the Redeemer Sisters set up an initial reception facility for refugees in the immediate vicinity of the music college, where we all studied at the time, and also called for donations. As musicians, we didn't have much to donate, so we thought about playing a concert for the people. And this concert so captivated and emotionally moved us all that we decided we would repeat it, and in the end there were over 70 concerts with different line-ups between 2014 and 2016. "
The 22-year-old came to Germany from Syria three years ago - and had actually wanted to learn to play the piano as a child. But due to the war in her home country and the flight, first to Lebanon, then to Germany, where she is now catching up with her Abitur, she had at some point put the thought of such luxury aside. Until a friend told her about WIMU eV, the solidarity music school, with the low fees. There she has actually had the lessons she longed for for a year and a half - and her piano skills are growing and flourishing.
The double bass player and electric bass player Jonas Hermes is one of the founders and teachers of the music school and now runs its office. He recalls:
“In 2014 the Redeemer Sisters set up an initial reception facility for refugees in the immediate vicinity of the music college, where we all studied at the time, and also called for donations. As musicians, we didn't have much to donate, so we thought about playing a concert for the people. And this concert so captivated and emotionally moved us all that we decided we would repeat it, and in the end there were over 70 concerts with different line-ups between 2014 and 2016. "
Instrumental lessons for refugees
But it did not stop. As early as autumn 2014, the nun asked the young musicians to offer small music-pedagogical units for the refugees in order to give them a little distraction in their uncertain emotional situation. In the course of 2015, this resulted in WIMU: Willkommen mit Musik, the solidary music school. Now several students and young graduates from the university gave instrumental lessons for refugees - free of charge or for very low fees. And this concept worked.
Jonas Hermes: “It is now the case that we have around 50 instrumental students who are taught in our own house. Our own house is of course not our house, but because it belongs to the Redeemer Sisters, so to speak our midwives, it feels very much like a home of our own. "
Two years ago, as a non-profit association, WIMU gave itself a new administrative framework, and is now financed through funding from the city of Würzburg, the Lower Franconia district and the Bavarian Tonkünstlerverband, through sponsoring members and donors. And, emphasizes Hermes: “Whatever is added more and more are also the tuition fees, because those who take lessons with us sometimes improve their financial situation and can then make a small contribution. But it also happens more and more that families who do not fall into the classic target group now contact us and simply find the idea, our educational concept good, and book lessons with us. "
Jonas Hermes: “It is now the case that we have around 50 instrumental students who are taught in our own house. Our own house is of course not our house, but because it belongs to the Redeemer Sisters, so to speak our midwives, it feels very much like a home of our own. "
Two years ago, as a non-profit association, WIMU gave itself a new administrative framework, and is now financed through funding from the city of Würzburg, the Lower Franconia district and the Bavarian Tonkünstlerverband, through sponsoring members and donors. And, emphasizes Hermes: “Whatever is added more and more are also the tuition fees, because those who take lessons with us sometimes improve their financial situation and can then make a small contribution. But it also happens more and more that families who do not fall into the classic target group now contact us and simply find the idea, our educational concept good, and book lessons with us. "
Public recognition for the WIMU
The commitment of the young musicians has also been publicly recognized several times: Among other things, they were awarded the cultural medal of the city of Würzburg, the integration prize of the government of Lower Franconia and various other honors. There are currently nine music teachers working at WIMU, plus a number of music teachers who continue to work with refugees in various institutions.
Classical violin and piano are taught, just like at any other music school, plus drums, bass, guitar and singing for rock, pop and jazz - the supply mainly follows demand. So normal music school life now? Not quite, says Jonas Hermes:
"I think the biggest difference is that we actually always say that we try as much as possible to think about the people who are taught by us and make as few internal rules and internal processes the maxims of our actions as possible."
Of course, WIMU was also hit hard by the corona crisis: All band and choir rehearsals were canceled, and the planned summer concert for the five-year anniversary could not take place. But classes continued from day one of lockdown - online. Fortunately, the funding continues, because at WIMU there is only one permanent position with twelve hours per week - the rest of the teachers work on a mini-job or fee basis. But they could all continue to be paid, and when the Bavarian school starts in mid-September they want to offer face-to-face lessons again: the hygiene concept is in place.
Classical violin and piano are taught, just like at any other music school, plus drums, bass, guitar and singing for rock, pop and jazz - the supply mainly follows demand. So normal music school life now? Not quite, says Jonas Hermes:
"I think the biggest difference is that we actually always say that we try as much as possible to think about the people who are taught by us and make as few internal rules and internal processes the maxims of our actions as possible."
Of course, WIMU was also hit hard by the corona crisis: All band and choir rehearsals were canceled, and the planned summer concert for the five-year anniversary could not take place. But classes continued from day one of lockdown - online. Fortunately, the funding continues, because at WIMU there is only one permanent position with twelve hours per week - the rest of the teachers work on a mini-job or fee basis. But they could all continue to be paid, and when the Bavarian school starts in mid-September they want to offer face-to-face lessons again: the hygiene concept is in place.
WIMU is more than just music lessons
And maybe this presence is even more important at WIMU than at other music schools - because contact with the teachers means a lot for many students, especially among the refugees.
Nayiry Arslanian: “For example my teacher is more of a friend than a teacher. If I'm sometimes sad or in a bad mood, at the beginning we talk about whether it's going well or whether I'm worried - something, and then we start playing. I think WIMU is more of a family than a school. "
The teachers also see it this way: “The opportunity as a musician, as a music teacher, to be with people beyond teaching or making music, to be able to accompany people to a certain extent, is something incredibly beautiful, what is work for me makes it totally valuable at WIMU.
And maybe music is especially important for people who have been persecuted and escaped.
Nayiry: “I have the feeling that after I learned to play the piano I became calmer. Sometimes when I'm sad, for example, I play the piano. Somehow I have the feeling that music gives us peace in our lives. And I like music, and above all: I like the piano. It's a different world. "
Nayiry Arslanian: “For example my teacher is more of a friend than a teacher. If I'm sometimes sad or in a bad mood, at the beginning we talk about whether it's going well or whether I'm worried - something, and then we start playing. I think WIMU is more of a family than a school. "
The teachers also see it this way: “The opportunity as a musician, as a music teacher, to be with people beyond teaching or making music, to be able to accompany people to a certain extent, is something incredibly beautiful, what is work for me makes it totally valuable at WIMU.
And maybe music is especially important for people who have been persecuted and escaped.
Nayiry: “I have the feeling that after I learned to play the piano I became calmer. Sometimes when I'm sad, for example, I play the piano. Somehow I have the feeling that music gives us peace in our lives. And I like music, and above all: I like the piano. It's a different world. "
