Music Education without Borders - a Common Language for Residents and Refugees

In 2015, about 1 million refugees entered Germany to escape from war and disaster in their home countries Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somali, Eritrea etc. Due to political decisions taken by several European countries along the transit route and due to agreements made by the European Union, some of the refugee routes were closed in 2016. And still, the exodus of hundreds of thousands of people continues uninterrupted. They are risking their lives for a better and more secure future. Germany is one of the most popular countries for refugees in Europe.

With their awareness of the nature of music as a common language and making music as an important common goal, young music professionals and music education students are offering outstanding music workshops and music lessons to refugee children and youngsters all over Germany. Tutors and participants experience joy, openness, creativity but also difficulties and anxiety during the music classes and associated events. The circumstances of transit camps and the different situations and locations of refugees seem to contradict the idea of a sustainable curriculum. Therefore, young music educators need to find new methods, formulate new aims and renew their passion for music education beyond the cultural education they have undergone themselves.

Germany has a long tradition of music education, as well as a long history of integration. It is already a multicultural country, and one which represents the distinguished music traditions of Germany and Central Europe. In this context, our students made the first step to ask for support and supervision for their spontaneous music workshops in refugee camps. The Darmstadt Academy of Music, in long term cooperation with its partner, the University for Welfare, have established a research and teaching program for music education with refugees. Our qualitative research methods lead to a differentiated view of refugees and musical culture. The specific character of the student’s musical educational initiative, and the refugee children’s musical and human response, is the focus of our attention. Our students are provided with the necessary pedagogical and social expertise on refugee life. The spectrum of music education is also enlarged by oriental and western repertoire and methodology. Scholars and students are highly motivated to return to basic values of music education, to share new multicultural music encounters and life changing, sustainable musical experiences through innovative music educational strategies.