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June 7, 2023
Finals student Bente Hof had the time of her life in Ghana: 'I really wouldn't have wanted to miss it.'
Despite her strong attachment to Twente, Bente Hof actually wanted nothing more than to go abroad for music. "Music is universal," she explains. "And I enjoy discovering the music culture of other countries." She had always felt a connection to West Africa, but after visiting her friend who was doing an internship in Gambia, she was completely captivated. She wanted to experience the same. After consulting with her program, Bente got permission to travel to Africa for her graduation research. The search for a suitable place began. Bente had one important condition: it had to be an English-speaking country. "Suddenly, it dawned on me: in high school, I once participated in a charity run for Mariëtte's Child Care, an organization with an orphanage in Ghana. Perhaps I could stay there and organize musical activities in other places in the country from that location." Bente never expected that she would end up conducting her entire research project at the orphanage. "In the end, I started giving music lessons to the children in the orphanage, which I found quite nerve-wracking at first. But it was absolutely amazing. Truly an experience I wouldn't have wanted to miss."
A world opened up
Although she always loved singing, Bente decided to study veterinary medicine after high school. In her eyes, music was meant to remain a hobby. Until she attended a music performance in the theater with her mother. "I said to her, 'This is what I want, I want to be up there too someday.' My mother had that 'finally' feeling. She already knew, but of course, I had to discover it for myself." The choice for the conservatory in Enschede was quickly made. However, Bente did hesitate between Music in Education and the Academy of Pop Music for a while. "In the end, I chose the education program because I felt it would provide me with a solid foundation. During the program, I discovered that teaching is truly something for me, as well as arranging and conducting, two things I find incredibly interesting. A whole new world opened up for me there."
Returning to her research project in West Africa, Bente focused on creating a series of lessons about Ghanaian music culture. These lessons were intended for students at Twickel College in Hengelo. Bente explains, "What does the music culture in Ghana look like, and how is it intertwined with daily life? Through this lesson series, I want Twickel's students to truly experience music rather than just listening to Spotify." Bente believes that multicultural music education is a hot topic, but not yet very prevalent in Twente. She wanted to encourage its promotion.
Nobody is ashamed, and everyone claps and sings along.
In Ghana, she had the time of her life. "Those three months brought me so much. Suddenly, you are face to face with a completely different culture and have to find your way around." What she learned there, above all, is to be grateful for both big and small things. "That's how the children are raised there. The fact that they can go to school at all is something they are incredibly grateful for. There is also so much music being made. Nobody is ashamed, and everyone claps and sings along. They are so content with everything, even though they have very little." Bente admits that the poverty there did affect her at times. She was also afraid that the children might become too attached to her. "But I was quickly told that there is a core group of ladies there, and every volunteer is seen as an 'extra' person who will eventually leave. That reassured me."
Singing at weddings
In the span of three months, Bente truly built a bond with the children and is already saving up to go back. But first, she needs to finish her graduation. "My four years at the ArtEZ Conservatory felt like a warm bath, where teachers stand beside you rather than above you. It always gave me a great feeling that they truly think along with you. Because you learn so much in a short period of time, you quickly discover what suits you best. And the fun part is that you do everything together with the entire program." What are her plans after school? First, she wants to find work and earn money. "In addition to conducting a choir or orchestra, I also want to focus more on my own business. I sing at weddings and in restaurants, among other places. I hope to expand that. And I really want to go back to Ghana. 'I already miss the children.
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