A strong interest in
early music, paralleled with a steadily growing contemporary
repertoire, has given the recorder a completely different
dimension over the last 50 years. The international
image of both styles, in combination with a real
professionalism in pedagogical fields, have challenged
aspiring recorder players ever since. This period
of development has seen the recorder (blockflute)
programmed as a solo and chamber instrument in specialized
contemporary festivals all over the world. It is
a recognized and appealing instrument for composers
of all styles, not only because of the wide range
of instrument-types, but mainly because of the great
abilities and flexibility of the professional player.
Insight into this enormous
variety of literature, supported by solid and profound
background information, and above all, a highly professional
instrumental education, is what the so-called BLOK
system offers to serious and motivated recorder
students. Besides further digging into historical
and traditional subjects, a thorough exploration
of contemporary literature and techniques is of major
importance.
The BLOK (block) was
founded in the 70's by Walter van Hauwe and Kees
Boeke and has become a conception for numerous recorder
players around the world. From the very beginning
the BLOK attracted students from all over the world
and it typically contains about 10 nationalities
every year. Having studied in Amsterdam seems for
many students to be a guarantee for becoming recognized
professionals, and many of them have since managed
a good and satisfying living as professional and
successful recorder players.
About the BLOK
system
The
Recorder study programme at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam is planned in blocks ('BlokfluitBLOK'),
concentrating all lessons in one week each month,
during which attention is paid to all aspects of
the study.
One of the main ideas
behind the whole system is to develop the student’s
feel for professionalism and responsibility. Hence:
* There are 10 BLOKs per season (academic year), each 5 days in a row,
in which all activities take place.
* The student participates in as many activities as possible and is,
in principle, always attending the lessons of others, where he/she can
pick up whatever appeals to him.
Besides the BLOKs, there are incidental lessons, workshops and masterclasses.
Some BLOKs are sometimes focussed on a specific aspect/theme,
meaning that most of the material used in such a
BLOK will deal with this theme. In between the BLOKs
the student is expected to participate in as many
ensembles as possible, to work on his own projects,
to prepare his papers for lectures, follow theory subjects, etc. etc.
Actually you can compare
the whole situation with a non-stop masterclass where
all students, beginners as well as advanced, are
working closely together in a non-hierarchical set-up.
All students and ensembles
bring their own specific problems; the auditors just
listen to the discussions, eventually take part and
finally subtract what makes sense for them, after
which they form their own opinions.
The teacher, rather
than only solving problems, advises and controls
the 'self-cleaning' ability of the student(s) and
introduces new, fresh problems. Confrontation with
these problems force the students to take responsibility
for their own study and development as artists.
Every year the BLOK
sets up a so-called ‘task-force’. Pairs
of students are, for that particular year, responsible
for tasks such as:
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Publicity
tasks, collecting posters, announcements |
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Lay-out and editing
of concert programs and posters |
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Collecting the
latest information about: |
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Collecting library
information (facsimiles and new publications) |
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Taking care of
the Renaissance instruments |
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Taking care of
the Paetzold instruments |
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Taking care of
the Electronic equipment |
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etc. etc. |
Everybody is automatically
involved in discussions about diverse subjects, enabling
the student to gain varied information about how
to formulate ideas and strategies which are very
helpful for further educational insights.
The BLOK embraces a
large spectrum of activities, including individual
lessons, ensemble lessons, technical sessions, historical
and methodical information, lectures and projects,
consort music, electronics (see Program
Structure).
All activities of the
BLOK are, in principle, open to public.
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