Today we spent most of the morning observing 3 classes at the Jaquez-Dalcroze Institute. We had the opportunity to see 3 different levels: 5-6 year olds; 6-7 year olds; and 7-8 year olds. After watching them sing and participate in movement activities I think it is safe to say that most of us Drake students would agree these children had a higher musical intelligence than us. The classes consisted mostly of a variety of games that helped the children grasp the Dalcroze method. This included basic singing, pitch matching, and movement (stomping, marching, acting like animals, clapping, hand games, improvisation). Everyone at the institute was very welcoming, and to our surprise we were even able to participate in some of the games. A fun fact we learned is that in Switzerland children 12 and under don't have to go to their primary school on Wednesdays, so that is how they are able to attend music classes in the mornings (sounds nice, right?).
In the afternoon we split up for lunch, and then majority of the group met back at the hotel to head to the Patek Philippe Museum while others enjoyed some shopping. To our dissappointment, the museum was closed for a few weeks for renovations. We then split again, and some went to the UN museum which got good reviews, while others spent the afternoon exploring Geneva which included a boat ride on Lake Geneva, coffee, chocolate, exploring downtown, and playing on a playground make of rubber (even 21 year olds still enjoy a nice playground!).
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