10 Reasons why Norwegian musicians should teach in Bolivia

Dec 8, 2014
4 min read

If a tropical climate and Latin American culture isn’t enough to tempt you, here are 10 more reasons why any musician should consider packing their bags and book a one-way ticket to Bolivia:

1 Classical music is growing in Bolivia

While European orchestras are shutting down and the audience is failing because of economical trouble, the South American continent has been nurturing a renaissance for classical music the past three decades. Bolivia has in only twenty years gone from having almost no classical music institutions at all, to having four universities that teach classical music, over 20 semiprofessional orchestras and ensembles, and thousands of children playing in orchestras all over the country.

2 Music is building community

Like the music school El SIstema, that is revolutionizing the country of Venezuela, the Bolivian music schools and orchestras are achieving the same effects in their own communities. Here, music is not only considered an art and a bringer of joy, but it also keeps children and youth off the streets. Many of the children in both rural and urban orchestras come from homes troubled by poverty, alcoholism and violence. They often spend up to 6 hours a day in the orchestra to find constructive escape from the wretched reality in which they live. This gives them a chance to change their future and derail from the bad patterns of their parent’s generation.

3 Bolivia has a hidden baroque music treasure

Bolivia has one of South Americas richest classical music histories. For over 300 years had Missionaries blended with the local population and creating a most delightful fusion between the indigenous population and Western civilization. In the 1700th century there where orchestras with professional musicians in every Mission town, and they had their own composers. There was even a period of 70 years that this was considered the cultural centre of classical music, according to music researcher Piotr Nawrot. The composers would write hundreds of choir masses, orchestra pieces and even enormous pieces for up to 7 choirs singing at the same time. Today this music is being restored and printed, and the archive is still growing.

4 They host international baroque music festivals

Every February musicians from all around the globe gather in the tropical low-lands Santa Cruz for an international festival covering several days and lots of cities and villages around the district. The webpage Boliviabella says that ““Musicians and orchestras from around the world participate. Considered one of Bolivia’s most important cultural events, the concerts take place in several places along the Jesuit Mission circuit deep in Bolivia’s dense tropical forest.”

5 The joy of music comes first

Who cares if the intonation isn’t always perfect, or if things are never properly organized – playing music is FUN!!! (PS: You might experience some frustration in the beginning if you come from a highly organized country like Germany or the Scandinavian countries)

6 Bolivia has some of the world’s most remote orchestras In Bolivia you might stumble upon small villages in the middle of the jungle surrounded by muddy roads that can only be crossed by horseback, and yet you will hear the sweet melodies of Vivaldi soaring out of every small house and church in the village. Santa Ana for example – a small oriental village with no more than 600 inhabitants – has it’s own string orchestra and if you’re lucky you will be invited to one of their concerts under a big mango tree, presenting pieces by Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart and of course Bolivian baroque composers.

7 You will see children practicing violin among cows, donkeys and banana trees

While music practicing in the West is mostly considered a private affair that is supposed to happen behind closed walls, the collective culture of South Americans offers a whole different approach to practicing. Some times you will see a child sitting on a trunk in their garden, under the shade of a tree in the midday sun, practicing their scales under the audition of half the neighborhood, a family dinner and most of the children in the nearby houses that had nothing better to do than crowd around the violinist. Not to mention all the birds, cows, chickens, donkeys and horses wandering about in the streets…

8 All the teachers work practically for free – they are real idealists

There are musicians that teach every single afternoon in the ghettos of Santa Cruz, bringing joy to many underprivileged children, and they can go up to 10 months without getting any pay. Yet they continue teaching vigorously for the sake of their pupils, even if the children sometimes have to bring them bread so that they can survive. If you ever get the honor of working with Bolivian teachers, take some time to getting to know them really well and humbly ask them to tell you about their stories. You will find amazing tales about how music changed their lives, how much they love children and how they consider art more important than material alimentation.

9 You’ll be welcomed with open arms no matter what

Bolivia has only a handful of native musicians with higher education and, due to their institutions still being in a state of infancy, they are extremely friendly and susceptible to foreigners. You might come to an orchestra with little experience and confidence, and your Bolivian colleagues will put their whole trust in you letting you do pretty much whatever you want. There is no prestige, no judging and no expectations. In Bolivia every one is in a learning process and learning through failure is a way of life.

10 You will get a Latin vibe to your playing

Here in Bolivia, children learn to dance before they learn to speak. Movement is part of the culture, and as this gets transferred to the music playing you get a lively, rhythmical and energetic interpretation of almost all available repertoire. Prepare to play Tchaikowsky’s string serenade in double tempo with a salsa vibe to it – it’s actually kind of fun when you get used to it!