The Melody of Life – simply phenomenal

There are phenomena that are almost impossible to describe – you simply have to experience them! The ›Melody of Life‹ series of shows, a format from The Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen’s Future Lab, is one such phenomenon: a stage experience that gets under everyone’s skin. The stars of the show are the children and young people from the Bremen East Comprehensive School (Gesamtschule Bremen-Ost) in the Osterholz-Tenever district, an area characterised by particular social challenges. With great courage, they sing or rap on the big stage, creatively expressing what moves them most deeply – with composer Mark Scheibe by their side, supported by their dedicated teachers and accompanied not only instrumentally by a world-class orchestra: The Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen.

The key figure in the show is the symphonic composer Mark Scheibe, who initiated the show as part of the Future Lab – a collaboration between the orchestra and the school – and has been responsible for its artistic direction since its first edition in 2007. Over the past two decades, he has encouraged more than 1,000 young people to express their dreams, fears and hopes through music, and has worked with them to transform their stories into poetry and music. Countless songs – some thought-provoking, some rousing and others deeply moving – have emerged from this special collaboration. With its diverse protagonists and perspectives, the ›Melody of Life‹ has created a unique space for encounters, full of surprising connections.

»There are many reasons why ›Melody of Life‹ is one of the most important projects of my life: the opportunity to meet young people in a way that cannot be found anywhere else. The joy of seeing these people take a risk: taking to the stage with the stories of their lives, armed only with the confidence that comes from their courage. Finally, the coming together of those doing something for the very first time with those who are world-class in what they do. And the realisation that music has the power to make us all aware that we can be creators of our world – not victims, not followers, but shapers. In this anniversary edition, we focus on the heading ›Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.‹«
Mark Scheibe

In the 28th edition of the show, we look back on two intense decades spent with wonderful people, whilst also exploring what matters to today’s generation of school pupils. What might the ›Melody of Life‹ sound like in the future? We are also eagerly looking forward to the
20th anniversary of the Future Lab next year.