Dreaming of singing on the big stage at Aladdin

This special matinee show came as part of the joint educational programme run by ABN AMRO Foundation and Jeugdeducatiefonds (Youth Education Fund), in collaboration with the Méér Muziek in de Klas (More Music in the Classroom) foundation and Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur (Youth Fund for Sports and Culture).

Besides a guest lesson taught by ABN AMRO employees around the question of “What would I wish for?”, all 1,500 pupils from 36 different schools will also get a music lesson developed especially for this initiative. The lesson, where they will learn the song Arabian Nights from Disney’s Aladdin, will be taught by music teachers from the Méér Muziek in de Klas foundation. The participating schools were selected by Jeugdeducatiefonds.

“Over half of the children that go to these schools are growing up in underprivileged environments,” says Jeugdeducatiefonds chairman Hans Spekman. “Poverty is more of an issue in the Netherlands today than ever before. Many children dream of singing or making music, and for some going to see a musical is their biggest wish.”

Increasing opportunities

The educational programme is an initiative of ABN AMRO Foundation. The foundation organises programmes and projects that give colleagues the opportunity to contribute to society in ways they might otherwise never have considered. The foundation and Jeugdeducatiefonds are jointly working to increase opportunities for children and young people. If the music lessons and the musical visit lead to children catching the musical, singing or dancing bug and wanting to take lessons, but there’s no money at home to pay for it, Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur will help out by paying tuition fees, because every child deserves to take part and shine on a stage.