BOOMWHACKERS: A PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE FOR MUSIC TEACHERS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN OSLO, NORWAY

The music department at the Oslo Public Library (Deichmanske bibliotek) has recently developed a new package for music teachers in the Norwegian public school system. The service is based on Boomwhackers, a set of coloured plastic tubes that play various notes of the scale when struck. Children quickly understand the simple notation system based on colour, and under the guidance of a teacher begin quickly to play and even compose music. The package not only includes a set of Boomwhackers, but also a detailed guide for teachers based on requirements outlined in the Norwegian national teaching plan of 2006, and a set of large-print sheet music of simple, well-known tunes. The department also holds courses for teachers, in cooperation with the library's Section for School Services, which is part of the "Young Deichman" department.