In 1984, dedicated music teachers founded the Rodgau Free Music School (FMR). Only a few years later, attractive music lessons were offered in all Rodgau neighbourhoods and the student body grew to more than 1000 today. The city of Rodgau is an important partner in fulfilling the educational mission. With the cooperation agreement signed in February 2019, the city of Rodgau and the music school formally confirmed their close ties.
Wide range of programmes - music connects
The range of programmes starts at the age of 1.5 years with the music carousel and continues with introductory formats and instrumental and singing lessons for all generations. There are also numerous choir and ensemble programmes that invite children to make music, sing and dance together - in keeping with this year's anniversary motto "Music unites". FMR also offers group music lessons in cooperation with daycare centres, schools and clubs. The brass classes at the Georg Büchner and Geschwister Scholl schools are examples of successful collaborations.
Innovation and creative concepts
In 1988, "Sound Everest", the youngest children's rock band in Germany at the time, was launched and accompanied by more than 100 performances throughout the country, TV and demo productions. At the same time, the popular music department was established. FMR was a pioneer with the introduction of the orientation model, in which children of primary school age are introduced to guitar, violin, flute, piano and drums over the course of a year. Today, the improvisation workshop, the rock workshop and the dance leisure programme as well as the singing masterclass complement the range of lessons on offer.
Enrichment through cultural events
In addition to the regular public school concerts, FMR enriches the cultural programme in Rodgau with numerous professional events. Most recently, the opera gala in May 2023 thrilled the Rodgau audience. But the music school is also present at city events, such as JugendART or the city festival on 11 May this year.
Music school as a joint endeavour
It was clear from the outset that participation and opportunities for everyone involved would play an important role. In 2014, a separate mission statement was developed in which the understanding of a "music school for all" was set out in writing. With the awarding of the City of Rodgau's Culture Prize to Uli Kratz, co-founder of the music school and long-standing Chairman of the Board, and Piotr Konczewski, Head of School from 1997 - 2023, two outstanding personalities were honoured this year who have been committed to the music school with heart and vision for decades.
40th anniversary - anniversary event
Stephanie Schick, music teacher for piano, singing and elementary education, is now building on the work of her predecessor Konczewski as headmistress. Among other things, she will focus on organising the anniversary celebrations. The highlight will be the anniversary event on 6 July in the Dudenhofen community centre. From 3.30 pm, all interested parties are invited to be inspired, enthused and surprised by the diversity of the Freie Musikschule Rodgau. Guests can look forward to the "Ensemble Saitenwind", which was founded especially for the anniversary, the band "Zugriff", a duet by the two opera singers Sabine Bussalb and Katharina Weltzien-Falk and much, much more.