Dream Orchestra Learning Centre
The music organisation Dream Orchestra (DO) runs a music education programme for children and young people from all layers of society through its symphonic orchestra, based in Gothenburg. Dream Orchestra has been granted continued support in the 2025 Signatur programme in order to further develop “Dream Orchestra Learning Centre”. This project is part of a long-term vision to provide high-quality music education to children and young people from diverse backgrounds, and DO Learning Centre is designed as a three-year program with a structured training plan.
A key focus for Dream Orchestra in the coming years is the development of an innovative teacher profile. At the Learning Centre, now in its second year, members of the Dream Orchestra teaching team participate in structured training workshops in which they develop the multidisciplinary skills required for future “orchestra teachers.”
The training plan includes opportunities for teachers to cultivate their leadership abilities, improve their pedagogical methods, and collaborate on the creation of new didactic tools. The publication of Dream Orchestra’s own didactic tool for teachers will further support the teaching team’s growth and ensure that the programme continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of the students. Intertwined, the Learning Centre project sustains DO’s ongoing work with musical practice, concerts, safeguarding, artistic and community activities for children and young people.
The Dream: An Orchestra for Everyone
Dream Orchestra’s journey began in 2016, when Ron Davis Alvarez invited a group of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea, and other African nations to learn to play string instruments within the context of a symphonic orchestra. This initiative has grown into a powerful vehicle for social inclusion and peaceful coexistence, reaching young people from all layers of society.
Today, Dream Orchestra provides a space where individuals, whether they are striving to excel or simply seeking a joyful, supportive environment, can meet and play music together, engaging in weekly rehearsals and social activities, developing their musical skills and form lasting friendships. The programme’s inclusive approach ensures that every young person has a place, and it extends to parents as well.
Dream Orchestra is not just about music; it’s about creating a sense of belonging and community. The programme provides an opportunity for parents to engage with other families, volunteering and supporting teachers during rehearsals and social gatherings. This involvement extends beyond the children, fostering relationships and creating a shared experience for the whole family.
DO is currently active in Gothenburg, Lövgärdet, Biskopsgården and Alingsås, making a positive impact on the local community by creating a space for both music and connection.
Learning by Doing
The teachers at Dream Orchestra are integral to the learning process, working together as a team to create and implement strategies that help students overcome both technical and musical challenges. They ensure that the process of making musical progress is not only effective but also joyful and meaningful. They don’t just lead instrumental workshops or sectional rehearsals; they sit alongside their students during full orchestra rehearsals, guiding them through the larger context of symphonic music. This immersive approach reflects the “learning by doing” philosophy at the core of Dream Orchestra’s teaching model.
In addition to working directly with the students, DO’s teachers also collaborate closely with the artistic director. This allows them to become part of a holistic learning process where they have opportunities to lead rehearsals and explore new teaching techniques. For the teachers, learning by doing is an essential part of their professional development as well, as they refine their teaching and leadership skills in a real-world context.
A Training Plan for Orchestra Teachers
“Dream Orchestra Learning Centre” is planned as a 3-year programme with the aim to help future “orchestra teachers” develop the multifaceted profile required to attend efficiently to the needs of the learning dynamics in the context of the symphony orchestra. Here, an increasing group of teachers cultivates and exchanges important personal, musical, pedagogic and management skills, as each of them bring important pedagogic knowledge and musical experience of their own. They work as a team and support each other in the diverse tasks, designing the strategies for each sectional or tutti rehearsal and sharing responsibilities and roles.
A BRIGHT FUTURE
By creating a space for learning, growth, and community, Dream Orchestra is not only shaping talented musicians but also empowering individuals to build connections and contribute to a more inclusive and peaceful society. For more information on Dream Orchestra and how you can get involved with DO’s activities, please visit their website at https://dreamorchestra.se/.
