Finding inspiration everywhere
Children are the "stars" of life!
The "Stars of Rotary" contest
is a unique opportunity for children not only to showcase their musical talent but also to develop a sense of empathy.
The new challenges of our time, such as worrying about the future, about what we still cannot understand - how ecology, new technologies will impact us, who we will be tomorrow? Today, even the laziest person tries to answer these questions. To be resilient and stand firmly, one needs to find a point of support, a point of applying strength and energy. As the renowned pioneer of humanistic pedagogy Shalva Amonashvili says: "The meaning of life is in service." In the Rotary Club, service takes precedence! This is an excellent basis for finding the key to the anxieties of the modern world - to do here and now what you can! We realize the demand of all parents worldwide for healthy, useful content, for concern about children's recognition of the virtual world and lightweight content. The Rotary Club has taken the initiative to hold a series of events within the framework of the international contest for talented child musicians on piano, violin, and cello called "Stars of Rotary." It was decided to hold a musical contest of international format, choosing objectivity and clarity as the main principles. As a result of discussions, our concept has become more than just the contest itself. It reflects an approach consisting of three pillars - awareness, empathy, manifestation.
What does this mean? Music as a source of complex consciousness, physiologically influencing the neuronal structure of the brain and the complexity of neuronal connections. As Chernigovskaya Tatiana says, our brain with which we will die is our merit. What we experience, how we live, what content we consume shapes the quality of our brain, our thinking, our personality, and its complexity. - This is part of our project CONSCIOUSNESS. Here we plan to organize a platform for meetings of different people and talk to them about this. The second component of the concept is feeling, the ability to empathize, to perceive the world subtly, the ability to see and create beauty. Here we plan to organize meetings centered around music in different venues. Where people can come and listen to incredible music in a special atmosphere. These meetings will be aimed at the second part of the project dedicated to EMPATY.
The third component is EXPRESSION - that is action. We may possess many qualities, however, to assert ourselves, to make ourselves known, requires great strength, effort, and willpower. The contest is indeed the third part of the project - action as EXPRESSION. Children have dedicated themselves to music - they have honed their skills on their instruments so that we can hear the music. Competitive struggle, evaluation, which we will strive to make objective and painless for the children, will nonetheless be an act of EXPRESSION. This skill is important for children as an experience that helps them develop this ability and teaches them to give and receive feedback and not be afraid to lose.
We live in a rapidly changing world where the anchors are not traditions or geographical boundaries, but meanings. Therefore, simply conducting a contest was not enough for us. We aimed to reflect the importance of music for our culture, our future. Specifically, through organizing the contest, we also wanted to draw attention to the importance of shaping a culturally educated and harmonious society, to which music greatly contributes. Neurophysiologists' research shows that music lessons and understanding music form complex neural connections, contribute to the growth of cultural level, and essentially serve as its foundation. Music is formed through the ability to perceive beauty, the skill of listening, and hearing. Unfortunately, in our Country, the government currently does not provide systemic support to the musical education sphere. Music schools have been abolished. Currently, the urgent question arises of restoring state status to schools; there is a need to update the park of musical instruments and revive the musical educational system. The people of Kazakhstan are musically gifted, and conditions are needed for the development of national pride - for outstanding musicians! To achieve this, it is undoubtedly important to allocate budgets and form a system that will bear fruit over time. This is work for the future, and it is an investment in the competitiveness of our future generation as people who shape a society of free, thoughtful, and cultured individuals.
Children are the "stars" of life! The "Stars of Rotary" contest is a unique opportunity for children not only to showcase their musical talent but also to develop a sense of empathy. After all, music is a universal language through which feelings and emotions can be conveyed.
In the "Stars of Rotary" contest, we aim to support musical talents and create a unique atmosphere of understanding and interaction, where each participant has the opportunity to express their individuality and be heard.
Join the "Stars of Rotary" contest and help young talents not only develop their musical potential but also become more empathetic and sensitive to the world around them!
A brief overview of the contest for those interested in participating or supporting a participant.
The contest is divided into two categories: for children aged 7 to 9, consisting of a single round in an online format, and for children aged 10 to 12, consisting of three rounds - the first round online, and the second and third rounds held live in Kazakhstan. Children who pass the qualifying round in the 10 to 12 age group will come to compete in Almaty for the title of finalists of the international contest with one accompanying adult. Applications for the first category are accepted until March 15, 2024, and for the 10 to 12 age group until March 15.
First, second, and third places are awarded cash prizes, prepared awards, and diplomas in each category. The best performance will be awarded the Grand Prix.
Participation in the contest is free. The "Rotary Club Almaty" covers the organization of the main expenses, including payment of jury fees, their accommodation and meals in five-star hotels in Almaty; accommodation for contestants with one accompanying parent in a 4* hotel; providing accompaniment by a symphony orchestra for the contestants' performances; rental of venues and rehearsal rooms for 4 days for children, as well as concert halls of the philharmonic and opera theater for contestants' performances; transportation and excursion support for participants and the jury; gala dinner for the jury and orchestra; as well as a final gala dinner for the contest finalists, "Rotary Club" jury members, sponsors, and media representatives; placement of advertising in the media and on outdoor advertising media; holding press conferences; as well as payment of all organizational issues related to the conduct of the contest.
We invite the business community to join the international talent competition for gifted child musicians on piano, violin, and cello. Participation in this contest is an unforgettable experience and a source of inspiration for everyone beyond the role we play in the project. We are united by a common goal to be better tomorrow than yesterday and to live lives filled with meaning - service to music, public duty, social responsibility, and the future!
