Each November and May, the campus of the University of Almería transforms as thousands of schoolchildren from across the province gather for the educational concerts led by Professor Juan Rafael Muñoz. Celebrating 25 years, these concerts take place in the university's Paraninfo, where around 100 students from the degrees in Early Childhood Education and Primary Education, as well as a combined degree, prepare an interactive show.
As the children enter, they are greeted by a parade of storybook characters, setting the stage for a magical experience of learning through music and dance. Professor Muñoz explains that the university students learn just as much from the experience: “They observe, experience, and identify everything we have done in class, applying it live with the children.”
The educational concerts, which began in 2001, aim to provide valuable learning experiences for both university students and schoolchildren. “The programme is not fixed; the only thing they know is the first song, and the rest I decide on the spot, just like in a school,” Muñoz adds.
This initiative aligns with the University of Almería's strategic goal of engaging with the local community. Muñoz emphasises the importance of projecting the university into Almería society, stating, “Today, surely, the 1,500 children here will talk about the University.” The concerts allow university students to apply their classroom learning while providing schoolchildren with a unique experience at the university.
The success of this long-standing programme is evident, with schools already booking for the May concerts. Muñoz notes that requests for November concerts begin as early as the previous May, indicating a high demand for this educational initiative. “If we had the possibility of two more concerts, they would also be full, given the number of schools that fortunately request them,” he said.
The concerts feature a consistent format, interpreting various works based on children's stories, complemented by different choreographies involving the attending children. Muñoz highlights the importance of introducing new stories and dances each year to keep the experience fresh. “If someone attends the 10:30 session and then the 12:00 session, they will see completely different performances.”
In addition to the educational concerts, a 'For Families' title has been introduced, attracting many parents. The Paraninfo was once again filled to capacity. The first session included participation from schools such as 'Kinder Garden', 'Maestro Padilla', 'Villapequesueños', and 'Mar de Alborán', as well as CEIP Arco Iris and Torrequebrada from Aguadulce, and Francisco de Goya, La Milagrosa, and Portocarrero. For the second session, six additional schools joined, along with students from the University of Almería's Professional Qualification course. In total, 16 schools and approximately 1,500 children participated, with numbers expected to double by the end of the academic year in May.
