Music4Rom

Music4Rom is a project financed with the support of the European Commission that will promote Romani values to build intercultural bridges and educate children in European citizenship through music.

“The idea behind the project was born from the realisation that, today, no one realises (or remembers) that classical music was often inspired by Romani music. For many years, as a singer, musician and teacher, I studied the migration of the Romani people and became aware of the unequivocal and essential contribution that this beautiful and proud people has made to so-called European classical music. Thanks to this project, many, we hope, will discover with surprise and perhaps joy, the beautiful heritage left behind by Romani music and how it has inspired many of our greatest composers.”

Excerpt from “Le sillon des Roms” Jorge Chaminé

Objectives

Music4ROM achieved the following:

• Creation of a repository of Romani music, songs and musicians
• Organisation of a music “Master Class” earmarked at 16 young Roma and non-Roma musicians trained by renowned musicians and singers
• Creation of a methodological guide for teachers
• Organisation of educational workshops in 4 European countries (Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Spain) to develop a methodological guide for teachers
• Creation of a kit to make musical instruments from recycled items
• Creation of mediation tools for cultural mediators, addressed to Romani mothers
• Development of an in-service training programme and a guide for participants
• A 40-hour in-service training course for teachers, mediators, social and cultural workers
• Organisation of a press conference in Brussels
• Organisation of 7 public events at local and European level as well as webinars
• Production and distribution of 7 videos
• Creation of multilingual promotional material
• Creation of an e-platform and a single at the end of the project: ” Roma Got Talent

Impact

The project involved:

• Renowned musicians and artists: Roberto de Brasov, Jorge Chaminé, Ludovit Kovac, Paco Suárez and Carlo Dumont and 8 young Romani and 8 non-Romani musicians with the participation of the professors David Benko and Aurica Mustatea
• Approximately 300 Romani children and adolescents in 4 European countries
• About 30 Romani mothers
• At least 30 teachers, mediators and cultural operators.
• Participation of nearly 50 representatives of local authorities and associations working for Romani people

Partners

From Spain to Bulgaria, from Italy to the UK via Belgium, France and Romania, a diverse group of European organisations were eager to pool their efforts and enthusiasm to make a success of this project. To share the joy of setting up various activities (workshops, master classes, concerts, publications, etc.) to promote the heritage of Romani Music. Geared to appeal to a very broad audience, a far cry from the stereotypes, biases and preconceptions, our aim is to encourage today’s Romani to take pride in their own culture.

1. The International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation – lead partner
2. Art-Activ, Romania
3. European Roma Information Office, Belgium
4. ETP Slovensko, Slovakia
5. The Mosaic Art And Sound Ldt, United-Kingdom
6. MUS-E Napoli, Italy
7. Sons-Croisés, France
8. Union Romani, Spain