Mehli Music Foundation trains children in singing and playing instruments

06 January, 2013

Zubin Mehta's Foundation known as 'Mehli Mehta Music Foundation' is making a difference to some school children through its music classes. In 1995, conductor Zubin Mehta set about fulfilling his father's dream of training talented young Indians in western classical music.

SEVENTEEN YEARS since its establishment, Mehli Music Foundation is tuning the ears of children in municipal schools across the Mumbai city with encouraging results. Mehta senior had founded Bombay Symphony Orchestra in 1935, according to Indian Express.

Four years ago, the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation took its "discover music" programme to St. Stephen's School at Kemps Corner. Through a tie-up with an NGO Muktangan, 60 children aged two to six attended two weekly sessions at the Foundation office on Cumbala Hill, South Mumbai, recently. They were trained in singing and playing instruments. The results were very encouraging.

The school is located across the road from the Foundation office and every Monday and Wednesday, the children come here for a 45-minute 'discover music' session. The instructors teach them to understand and recognise beat and pulse, distinguish between a rhythm and beat and finally learn to sing.

- Studies show being exposed to music at an early age stimulates areas of the brain, resulting in positive development.

- Schools had responded favourably to the "Catch them young" initiative.

- Teachers from the school confirmed that within two months of the children beginning the programme, they have been able to concentrate better and have become more disciplined.

- The teachers have also opined children with learning disabilities have shown signs of improvement over the same period.

- In the suburbs, the Foundation has partnered with Aseema Charitable Trust that supports municipal schools in Santa Cruz and Bandra and has started teaching a first batch of 120 children.

- The Foundation is prepared to teach music to every school that approaches them.

- One of the core objectives of the Foundation is to reach out to those students who do not have the resources and the Foundation is trying to do its best.

Hoping the foundation is able to cross many boundaries and impart the subject of music to as many children as possible because the results are phenomenal.