Class offerings

The saying "early practice makes perfect" also applies to music. The Rastatt Municipal Music School offers music education courses for the youngest children every school year. The courses start directly after the summer vacations, and five different courses are offered. All basic courses start directly after the summer vacations. Lessons are also given in kindergartens if needed. For students who are already in instrumental lessons, Early Music Education or Basic Music Education counts as a supplementary subject.

Music education program in cooperation with local daycare centers. The program takes place exclusively in the kindergartens.

The music school's children's choir is looking for enthusiastic singers between the ages of five and ten. Rehearsals always take place on Fridays, from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. in Room 11 of the Municipal Music School. You can register at the Rastatt Municipal Music School, Tel. 07222 972-8301, e-mail: musikschule@rastatt.de.

Children can start violin and viola lessons as early as preschool age. Cello lessons are possible from age six or seven, and double bass from age seven or eight. All string instruments are distinct melodic instruments with an extensive solo and chamber music literature. Different playing circles and orchestras offer additional training incentives and promote the joy of instrumental interaction.

Guitar lessons can be started by children from the age of seven. Based on classical guitar technique, students learn to play different musical styles according to their own preferences, such as song accompaniment, flamenco, folklore, jazz, pop and rock music (electric guitar and electric bass). For harp lessons it is advantageous, but not a requirement, to take piano lessons beforehand.

The recorder is a demanding instrument that is taught at the music school in baroque fingering. Seven-year-olds can also easily learn the larger instruments such as the flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon. For saxophone lessons, children must be nine to ten years old. If you don't want to wait that long, you can start playing the saxophone via the clarinet because of the very similar blowing technique and fingering. All woodwind instruments are equally suitable for solo playing and for making music in an ensemble.

Smaller trumpets, flugelhorns, horns, trombones, tenor horns and baritone horns can also be started by six- to seven-year-olds. For the tuba, however, children must be ten to twelve years old. Since the principle of sound production is the same for all brass instruments, a change to a "bigger" brass instrument is possible as the child gets older. The brass instruments are not only interesting solo instruments, but are also excellent for playing together.

Children between the ages of six and seven can begin piano lessons. On the one hand, piano music with its significant position in the history of music is strong as a solo instrument, but on the other hand, the piano is also an ideal chamber music instrument due to its variety of sounds.

The term percussion covers a large collection of various percussion instruments. First and foremost, it is understood to mean combined percussion. In addition, depending on the student's interests, concert xylophone and orchestra timpani are taught, as well as percussion instruments such as claves, maracas, timbales and much more. The ideal starting age is six to seven years. In addition to having fun with rhythmic structures, students should above all have the opportunity to practice regularly at home. For the beginning, a "snare drum" with stand and a few drumsticks are sufficient.

Voice training focuses on perceiving one's own voice correctly, learning special breathing techniques and awakening and training individual voice functions. The goal is individual voice training up to the training for solo singing.

Together, music is even more fun! Ensembles and orchestras are therefore an integral part of the main subject lessons at the music school. And: Even those who do not take lessons at the Municipal Music School can participate in the ensembles.
The ensembles of the music school not only enrich the cultural life in Rastatt with their performances. They also provide the musical framework for celebrations and other occasions. Booking inquiries are accepted by the secretary's office of the music school, Tel. 07222 972-8301, e-mail: musikschule@rastatt.de.

The following ensembles are currently at the music school:

Interested parties are welcome to attend a regular lesson at any time, either actively or passively, by prior appointment. To register for a free "trial lesson" at the music school: Tel. 07222 972-8301, e-mail: musikschule@rastatt.de.