Music lessons

We gladly comply with a student's wish to learn an instrument. We believe that at least once during his or her school life every student should experience being on stage and have the chance to play an instrument to discover hidden talent and eventually build on it. Young musicians in a band, an ensemble or an orchestra learn to listen to each other, and to play together. They discover that making music with other people is far more than only the addition of different instruments and voices. Music can break down walls. It touches our souls increasing our awareness of the beauty that comes from different people – that may have different talents, and political or cultural backgrounds - creating one enchanting melody.

Thanks to a generous donation of violins from Germany, to the dedication of a volunteer teacher who gave violin lessons to our students for two years and to other volunteers involved, we are happy to see the first group of violinists form at our school. They have already performed for our community several times.

With support from the „Brass for Peace“-Choir, we have been able to lay the foundation for our own brass band at Talitha Kumi. Over the course of a year, a volunteer taught students to play the trumpet, the trombone, and the clarinet.

Additionally, teachers associated with the Barenboim Foundation help us with free music lessons for our grade four students, who have the opportunity to learn to play the German flute, the oboe, the bassoon, the cello, and the clarinet. Furthermore, a teacher from Beit Jala gives lessons in playing Palestinian instruments such as the tabl, the lute, and the qanoon. It gives us immense joy to watch students and teachers work together with great enthusiasm.

The Choir

The positive image of Talitha Kumi partly stems from its high-standard music education program. The choir consisting of 32 students inspires enthusiasm far beyond the area of Bethlehem. It is also well known in Germany, and we are glad to receive invitations to perform at nationwide church gatherings, or at the opening of the Berlin Christmas market. Unfortunately, due to the political situation in Palestine, we are not always able prove our musicianship elsewhere. However, we strongly experience the power of music and allow our voices to travel beyond physical borders!