Ostrava University fourth in world to offer BA study course in cimbalom
The cimbalom is an elaborate stringed instrument of the dulcimer family whose rich, inimitable sound is characteristic of the folk music of Central and Eastern Europe. The Faculty of Arts of the University of Ostrava will soon become the fourth place in the world to offer a BA study course in cimbalom music.
The cimbalom is not among the most popular musical instruments –and many people would be hard put to describe what it looks like. But when the Milan Brouček Cimbalom Music band put its rendition of Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters on social networks the video went viral and Metallica themselves shared it with fans.
The cimbalom is an instrument most people associate almost exclusively with folk music, but increasingly cimbalom bands are livening up their repertoires with other genres, playing popular film melodies, pop and rock covers, and more.
It is not unusual for members of prestigious orchestras playing classical music to have a love of the cimbalom and its unmistakable sound. The Czech Philharmonic Cimbalom Ensemble was founded in 2013 by members of the Czech Philharmonic, who love folk music and who perform a folk repertoire with the virtuoso skills of professional musicians.
Although cimbalom bands can be found around the country livening up events in the regions, many musicians are self–taught or rather the skills are handed down from generation to generation.
In the past, people interested in learning to play the cimbalom at a professional level had to go abroad. That is about to change. The Faculty of Arts of the University of Ostrava will soon become the fourth place in the world to offer a BA study course in cimbalom music.
Daniel Skála, composer, pedagogue and leading Czech cimbalom player, who will head the program, is very proud of this development.
"There are three universities in the world offering a BA in cimbalom music. Banská Bystrica, Budapest and Strasbourg, and from next year Ostrava as well. I myself studied in Budapest, but not everyone wants to go abroad to study, has the money for it, or is prepared to learn a foreign language settle in a foreign environment.”
Now young musicians interested in the cimbalom will find it easier to pursue their goals. According to Skála, Ostrava can become a place where cimbalom musicians from at home and abroad will meet, hone their skills and inspire each other to open new horizons for the instrument.
The university will also offer an accordion study program led by another outstanding musician Marcela Kysová. As a soloist she has performed, among others, with the Vienna Philharmonic. She also serves as a juror in major accordion competitions through Europe. The Dean of the Faculty, Michal Kalhous, is confident that thanks to the excellent reputation of both teachers, the university will attract students from at home and abroad.
According to Kalhous, the university wants to build on the courses in both instruments that are currently available at the Janáček Conservatory, where both Skála and Kysová teach.
The University of Ostrava will first open a three-year BA program and in time, they plan offer an MA study program as well. Graduates can become solo performers, teachers or innovators in the field of cimbalom and accordion music.
