Joint drumming project at the Bischof-Ketteler-Schule successfully completed

The collaborative project "Drumming at the Bischof-Ketteler-Schule" of the Bocholt-Isselburg music school came to a successful end just in time for the Easter holidays. Over a period of 15 months, the pupils received weekly rhythmic lessons to promote their individual development. At the end of the programme, the participants explored the various instruments offered by the music school at LernWerk.

The starting point for the project was a visit by pupils from the Bischof-Ketteler-Schule to the music school in 2024. Even back then, it became clear how much fun making music together - especially drumming - can be and the positive effects it has on the children's development. Building on this experience, a regular drumming programme was established at the school. This was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Stadtsparkasse Bocholt foundation and the music school's sponsors' association.

Under the direction of Hildegunde Hagemann, a teacher at the Bocholt-Isselburg music school, weekly sessions took place in which various drums and percussion instruments were used. The project was aimed specifically at pupils with a special focus on mental development and aimed to strengthen their perceptual, expressive and concentration skills. In addition, motor skills were encouraged and independence and self-determination supported. Emotional stabilisation through music was also a key component of the project: the clear rhythmic structures, repetitions and making music together offered the pupils orientation and support. Music enabled them to relieve tension, calm down and express their feelings - especially where linguistic means reach their limits.

"It is impressive to see how the clear structures of rhythm give the pupils stability and strengthen their ability to concentrate in the long term", Hildegunde Hagemann is delighted with the successful project, "Music offers an approach that starts where language alone is sometimes no longer enough to make feelings and community tangible."

In addition to learning the basics of music such as rhythm, dynamics and tempo, the pupils increasingly developed social skills over the course of the project. Playing together demanded consideration, listening to each other and controlling their own impulses. At the end of the project, the participants visited the music school's premises at LernWerk. There they were given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with and try out other instruments under supervision in order to deepen their musical experiences and discover new interests.