In late October the Bulgarian National Radio opened doors to young music fans for yet another edition of its Music Education Program. Children met musicians of the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Music Orchestra. In the emblematic First Studio musicians and the conductor of the ensemble presented to children and students individual instruments and demonstrated how their sound fits the orchestra. Particular attention was paid to irregular rhythms that are typical of Bulgarian folklore. Children also got acquainted with typical music instruments and characteristic features of various folk regions of Bulgaria. Conductor of the orchestra Dimitar Hristov told children a fascinating story about the beauty of authentic folklore.

In an interview they told us with enthusiasm about the visit to the Bulgarian National Radio.

Here is what fifth grader Dennis Delyan Bunovski said:

“I'm here because of some instruments I am interested in and because I want to learn to play the guitar or piano. I also like the trumpet and harp, but also many others. I came to see the guitar. I learned about the program from my teacher Vyara Nikolova. I had never been inside the building of the BNR before and I like it because it is very big and nice. I like classical music and opera and will come to other concerts that are part of the program.”

The youngest visitor to the concert is 3-year-old Yoan who confidently told us about his interest in music and musical instruments:

“I came to a concert with Mom. I like music and I like the musical instrument double bass the most.”

Bozhidara Hoholova from “Bulgarian School” told us about her interests:

Another young concert goer told us about his interests in Bulgarian folklore music:

"My name is Nikolay. I am 13 years old and I'm in the seventh grade at the Lyubomir Pipkov National Music School, studying folk singing. I came to listen to the Folk Music Orchestra of BNR. I found out about this program from my teacher in folk singing."

The music education program of the BNR is always age-appropriate. For the youngest it is just a game. For them it is most exciting to touch the instruments and play some of them. Musicians from the Symphony Orchestra of the BNR show the instruments to them help and explain. Students are introduced to the history of music and they are given small musical tasks. This year the program of the media involved singers from the Mixed Choir and Children's Choir. They revealed to visitors the incredible power of the human voice and the beauty of opera and choral music.

*The next meetings of children with the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra will be on: November 17, 2016; December 15, 2016; January 12, 2017; January 26, 2017; February 23, 2017; March 9, 2017; March 23, 2017; April 6, 2017; May 18, 2017 and June 8, 2017. Participation of children and parents in the educational forum is free.

English: Alexander Markov