The KM Music Conservatory in Chennai offers many programmes in Indian and Western music | |
![]() Rahman, founder and principal, feels that the young in India must gain from the imperatives of contemporary society and be given the opportunity to learn and compete with their counterparts in the West, not merely by imitation, but by the creative application of technology. “We are passing through a fascinating period. Young men and women are highly accomplished and they know what they want. At KMMC, they can vent their musical aspirations,†says Rahman. KMMC was started in April 2008 with the mission of making an Indian symphony orchestra. Rahman felt that the time was ripe; the nation had matured enough to accept innovative music. With due respect to the Indian classical music tradition, Rahman embarked on a project to promote western classical musical traditions among the young. The school teaches basic string instruments (violin, viola, cello and double bass); two traditions of piano technique (the standard Western technique and the highly dramatic Russian technique); and classical guitar. The school has also begun the tradition of harp playing. KMMC emphasises on performance. Thus, students are encouraged to perform in front of their fellow classmates, friends and parents, and at special events throughout India. Western percussion includes the study of an amazing variety of instruments, such as the marimba, vibraphone and xylophone to name a few. The Indian percussion track introduces students to the tabla, taught in the best of the gharana tradition. Sufi music The graduate programme offers majors in both Western and Indian classical voice. Piano, violin and percussion majors are some of the other choices, not limiting in scope. Music history, theory and appreciation are some of the high points in the course; while courses in sight singing, ear training, composition and musicianship complement the choir class. There is also an important segment of audio engineering with emphasis on programmes such as logic, pro tools, and the like. The A R Rahman Foundation can be referred to as a self-propelling mechanism, but it is the ideology that runs the system. The Foundation adopts under-privileged children from the neighbouring MGR school, refines their sensibilities, and teaches them how to play string instruments. It is the first step towards making a symphony. The young aspirants owe their allegiance to the architects and pillars of this great institution: gracious Kareema Begum, the managing director of KMMC and Fathima Rafiq, the executive director, who in keeping with ethical traditions have given direction to the endless quest of Rahman, in his spirited and concrete adherence to the future of music.
For more information, check out: http://www.kmmc.in/ |