Orgelkids wants to introduce children (and adults) to the pipe organ in a fun and educational way. Only when you have discovered something, you can become fascinated by it. Orgelkids was founded in July 2009 by Lydia Vroegindeweij. The project has grown into a global project with more than 120 Do-organs and a network of project managers in more than 18 countries (august ’21).
How it started
Lydia Vroegindeweij was initially trained as a teacher for primary education, but then became an entrepreneur and publisher of teaching materials and teaching methods for all levels of education. As an amateur organist she loved to share her knowledge of the instrument with children. She founded the ‘Lydia Vroegindeweij Fund’ (part of the Dutch Cultuurfonds) to help funding local projects. She created a first version of the Orgelkids.nl website just to collect and share ideas for organ education by others. In 2013 she turned it into her own project after purchasing the first Do-organ. She developed instruction sheets and teaching materials around the organ kit and started the rental programm. In the first three years, the Do-organ was assembled by approximately 6,000 children.
Orgelkids is part of Stichting Kerkmuziek Netwerk (Church Network Foundation).
How it goes on
The project has now (medio 2021) grown into a global project with more than 120 Do-organs and a network of project leaders in more than 18 countries. In the video Lydia talks about her project (in Dutch with subtitles in English).
Goals of the project
Orgelkids’ motto is “organizing the future”. After all, what use are beautifully restored church organs when there are no more organists in the future? Youth will give the organ a future. So that is the goal of this website full of information and inspiration: to ensure that we can enjoy organs and organ music in the future.
What does Orgelkids?
We want to achieve the goal by offering:
- Information, tips and ideas for anyone who wants to develop an organ project.
- All information can be found on this website.
- The rental of a Do-organ specially made for Orgelkids.
- Developing (teaching) material for organ projects with children.
- Collaboration and advising on projects that strive for the same goal.
Who pays for this?
Orgelkids is a non-profit organization of expert volunteers. We work with enthusiasm and inspiration. We did not receive any subsidy (so far), everything is funded with our own time and resources. We try to generate some income with the rental of the Do-organ, and the sale of the construction plans and a few applicable products in our webshop. What we get back from our investment are children who have experienced wonderness and are very happy about it.
Be a part of Orgelkids?
Are you working in the field of organ education or outreach programs? Do you want to start the Orgelkids project in your country? Please contact us and tell us more about your ideas.
Lydia Vroegindeweij