'Classical music builds strong character'

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

While their peers groove to the sounds of easy-to-digest bubblegum pop or boisterous hip metal, 16-year-old Paulus Regandi and 18-year-old Putri Juri Anggraini choose to listen to a less trendier choice: Classical music.

Playing the violin and cello respectively, Paulus and Putri immerse themselves in a daily routine of rehearsals, playing music that is considered "scary and difficult".

Their efforts have paid off though. They were selected from 120 candidates auditioning in Jakarta, Bandung and Yogyakarta, to participate in the Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra that recently performed here.

The prestigious orchestra, based in Germany, consists of 69 of the most talented young musicians from 30 countries, including Indonesia.

After the critically acclaimed concert here on Aug. 3, Paulus and Putri also joined the orchestra's performance last week in Taiwan. In December, they will meet fellow orchestra members in a concert in Germany.

But why classical music?

"I don't know, I just like it," said Paulus recently during a break between rehearsals for the concert here.

A senior at Pelita Harapan High School in Karawaci, Tangerang, Paulus said it was his mother who had sent him to a violin course when he was only in the third grade at elementary school.

"Since then my interest (to play the violin) has grown and I have continued the course until now. Sometimes I get bored, but I can handle it," he said.

He said he did not have any difficulties while playing in the orchestra, and Putri also said she had none either.

But when he was asked whether he would major in music when he reached college or even choose to make music his career, Paulus just stared blankly ahead.

"I want to do something else, too, but I don't know what," he said.

Putri, meanwhile, is more determined even though her interest to play the cello only started three years ago.

"It is never too late, as long as we work hard at it. Talent is only 15 percent and the rest is a matter of hard work," said the student of the Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) in Yogyakarta.

Although she had not thought about it when she started out, Putri said she was sure music was her future.

"I think a career in classical music is beginning to appear possible, because there has been an increase in the frequency of performances (here)," Putri said.

President of Jeunesses Musicales Indonesia and the Indonesian Youth Music Foundation, Yayuk Rahardjo, said more and more teenagers were showing a serious interest in classical music.

"The number of students entering my school increases every year," she said.

Many teenagers also come out of their own free will, without their parents forcing them.

"Teenagers tend to rebel, so it's exhilarating to see them interested in classical music. And the majority who sign up, like 90 percent of them, stay," Yayuk said.

There is also a growth in the number of teenagers who consider making classical music a career, she said.

Unfortunately, there are some obstacles for the youths in learning classical music here.

First, there is a shortage of music teachers, especially for string and brass sections. Most musicians of string instruments are busy performing with a orchestra.

The other problem is the limited number of classical concerts. A representative concert hall does not exist in the capital.

Putri and Paulus said the limited number of concerts made them lag behind their peers from other countries.

"Our skills are certainly not way behind them as we can always keep up. But they have more experience because there are many concerts in their countries. Therefore, they're more skilled," Putri said.

Another factor which hampers the development of classical music here is the lack of parental support.

While parents usually take the initiative to sign their children up for music courses, they tend to forget to keep that support up later on.

"It's dangerous if parents do not maintain their support, because learning classical music requires hard work and discipline. Students can get stressed if they're not continuously encouraged," Yayuk said.

Many parents also oppose the idea of making music a profession, fearing that their children will not get a decent income from it in the future.

"Careers in music can be built. I mean, not everyone should become a musician. They can become music therapists, critics or teachers. These professions are very much needed in this country," said Yayuk.

However, she is certain that the situation will improve within five to 10 years time.

"The success of the last concert proved that people enjoy classical music, even complicated repertoires, as long as concerts are available. They stayed and enjoyed the show and after the concert, I got dozens of calls from teenagers and parents who were interested in joining my school," she said.

In a bid to improve the classical music scene in Indonesia, especially among youths, Yayuk plans to hold regular concerts.

"It's so essential for teenagers to learn classical music as it teaches them time management, concentration, how to control their emotions and even teamwork. If their effort to learn classical music is maintained and supported, it will build strong character," she said.