CARP: February 2011

(This is the third in a series on Guerilla Functionaries - independent artists who are actively involved in arts education )

Bangalore has had one very lovely quality in the past; an ability to sustain such polar opposites as the City and the Cantonment. The City of my grandmother's home, New Modern Hotel, National College, the avarekkai santhe, Victoria Hopital and MTR. The Cantonment where I attended convent school, sang in the choir, went to Church Bazaars, first heard Pink Floyd and danced the nights away.

"In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent. The term originates from the Latin punctus contra punctum meaning "point against point". - Wikipedia

Counterpoint: Carnatic music teachers in Bangalore South and North. Piano teachers and choir masters in Bangalore East.

Today CARP speaks to Neecia Majolly, a wonderful pianist, singer and music teacher, who has just launched the Majolly Music Trust whose mission it is to raise the bar for western music education in Bangalore and beyond.

Neecia Majolly

Why did you, as a musician and singer, begin teaching young students? What was the original impetus?

Well, I’ve always been interested in teaching from the start. Though I am a performer first, I felt it was important to teach music (through the piano and voice, which are my specialties), with as few flaws as possible, so that students are assured of a good music education with a healthy and committed approach to music, without developing bad (and sometimes debilitating) habits. When I say a good music education, it means not just exam-oriented with just those three pieces for the entire year (many students have given up because of this), but a wider repertoire of great composers, with theory to complement, ear training, and sight reading/singing to develop the student into a MUSICIAN. Here again, these other components are not to be dealt with last minute just because the exam syllabus requires it, but should be incorporated in some way each lesson, with focus on different aspects of music. I’ve learnt a lot being a teacher, and still, there is something to learn every single day with my students. It’s a fantastic profession if you LOVE teaching music, and you can earn a living out of it! By the way, this June will be 25 years of my teaching music!

What are the burning issues in music education in Bangalore today? What are the challenges you face?

I think parents need to be better informed when sending their children for music lessons. It would be advisable if they can check credentials of the teacher/institution first. I’m sorry to say there are a lot of poorly informed musicians out there who spoil students, and it’s a nightmare to start from scratch! Also, a lot of students need to have a more committed approach to music lessons, practicing what they need to practice, have the right attitude towards this wonderful art… don’t get me wrong… not everyone is going to turn out star performers…. But at whatever level they are, or aim to reach, I think they need to give 100%. If the teacher gives 100% in a class, why not the student?

Fortunately today, there are more music stores with good instruments; a fair number of music books (not enough – and the ones that need to be ordered from abroad ARE expensive), and the internet. NOBODY has an excuse now that they can’t listen to this or that…..And this tussle between the piano and the keyboard. A lot of people seem to think these mean the same things! I think students have to realize that no matter what genre they choose to lean to, it’s always advisable to get a solid grounding in technique, musicianship, muscular development, etc. with classical training FIRST.

Another challenge I think, is to get away from the notion that Bollywood music is the be all and end all. Unfortunately, this genre seems to choke genuine creativity, musicians, and those involved directly or indirectly to music. Music lovers, students, etc. need to have a better appreciation for music aesthetics in order to enjoy more refined genres!

Why do you think young students want to learn music? What compels parents to bring them to you? Do they want to study music further and become performers? Or teachers?

Well, in most cases it’s because the parents want them to. Some parents, though, recognize that there is some measure of musical talent in their children, and think it wise that it be guided in the right direction. Some parents might just send their children because their neighbour’s children are also taking music lessons! Very few actually send their children because they realize that arts is a VERY important part of a child’s development; to develop both spheres of the brain, and make the child a much more sensitive and whole human being.

I am happy to say that over the past few years, they have been more number of students who are actually very serious about studying music to a concert level, and have gone abroad to pursue their further studies in music (there is no conservatoire of music in India for western music), and some students have gone on to being excellent teachers as well.

Usha Aron

J.W.Johnson

4. How skilled are the pool of local western music teachers?

I think Bangalore is one of the better cities for experienced and knowledgeable music teachers compared to other parts of India. Even music examiners who come here have remarked that they have been very impressed with our high standards! Then again, for every one good teacher, you will have 20 ‘roadside’ ones!

According to you, what is the greatest benefit or benefits of a musical education?

As I mentioned earlier, a human being cannot be made whole with only one aspect of education. Yes, the sciences are important but they only develop only so much of the brain. The arts, whether it be music, dance, painting, etc. explores the more etheric, aesthetic, refined, fanciful, creative, and even compassionate side of a personality, and creates a wonderful balance in that person. The government really should make music compulsory in schools!

Tanisha Herbert

What do you foresee for your work in the future? Which direction will it take? How will you sustain it?

I am happy to announce that I have set up ‘The Majolly Music Trust’ that is committed to the highest standards of music performance and teaching. A good performer need not necessarily be a good teacher, and there are many, many different dimensions to teaching than meets the eye. Of course we aim to take good music to more people through concerts, master classes, workshops, competitions, etc. I am a performer myself, and have been able to communicate good music to my audience; similarly, my students have been shaped by my teaching. We will, of course, need the good will of music lovers and well wishers, to create concerts of high standards. We hope to have a beautiful building of our own, with a wonderful acoustically engineered auditorium, teaching and practice rooms, music labs and studios… the list goes on! Perhaps even an orchestra! I’m VERY excited that I have, and can contribute in some small way to raise the standard of Western music in this country. We soldier on!