“The problem is that classical music is not offered to young children often enough, and they do not have the opportunity to listen to it in their everyday lives. We need to find ways for them to listen to and learn about classical masterpieces from the first grade of primary school, whether through music classes, school orchestras, or even video games, which have unfortunately become an integral part of the lives of younger generations. It is at this age, around six or seven, that a person’s musical taste begins to develop and that future audiences begin to take shape,” said Milena Vasiljević, a piano professor from Bijeljina.

Speaking on Standard Classic Radio’s programme “Where (Non-)Culture Is Trending” (Gdje se fura (ne)kultura), Vasiljević emphasised that, alongside music schools, parents and the family environment should also play a role in introducing young people to classical music.

“I often remember how my parents took my brother and me to classical music concerts in Belgrade and how they made an effort from an early age to instil in us a love of quality music, helping us discover what it means to listen to an opera or a piano concerto, or to watch a ballet. That is why, despite all the responsibilities that come with my job and being a mother, I try to take my children to a classical music concert in one of the larger cities at least once a month,” Vasiljević said.

Milena, who has been working as a piano professor at the “Stevan Stojanović Mokranjac” Music School in Bijeljina for sixteen years, says that a child’s musicality can already be identified during the entrance examination. However, she points out that subsequent success depends largely on hard work and sacrifice, with talent accounting for only ten per cent of achievement.

“At the music school, I work with both primary and secondary school students. Every new school year brings its own challenges, but I try to devote myself fully to every student. My task is to teach them music, specifically piano playing, and to pass on my knowledge in the most engaging way possible. Whether a child grows to love the instrument and later enrols in secondary music school or a music academy is a decision each individual must make for themselves. It is important that children attend music school out of a love for music, rather than to fulfil their parents’ ambitions,” Vasiljević added.

She praised the Bijeljina City Administration for providing the city’s musicians with a concert grand piano at the Sokol House, creating opportunities to host renowned classical musicians and organise festivals.

“This is a major step forward, and I hope Bijeljina will increasingly have the opportunity to welcome and hear high-quality classical performers. At the same time, I urge the relevant authorities to address a very important issue: the limited space available at the Music School. The premises have not changed since the 1960s, and we are all aware of how much Bijeljina has grown since then, how much its population has increased, and how many more children want to learn to play an instrument. Expanding the Music School’s premises must be a priority in the years ahead,” piano professor Milena Vasiljević said.

She also called on all parents whose children attend primary music school to support them and remain involved in their choices.

“Children are generally not mature enough to make long-term decisions, and certain interests may hold their attention only for a short time. That is why parents need to follow their children’s development and help them make decisions about continuing their education, whether in secondary music school or at an academy. Of course, parents should not use their children to fulfil their own unachieved ambitions, but should instead understand what is best for their child,” Vasiljević emphasised.

Why Chopin is Professor Milena Vasiljević’s favourite composer, how she began playing the piano, how she encourages children to fall in love with classical music, and many other interesting topics can be explored in the latest episode of Standard Classic Radio’s programme “Where (Non-)Culture Is Trending” (Gdje se fura (ne)kultura).

You can listen to the programme by clicking on the following link:

https://standardclassic.ba/gdje-se-fura-nekultura

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