Music school welcomes Jürgen Slak as its new leader
Veteran Music Educator Jürgen Slak Bids Farewell to Bottrop School After 35-Year Tenure
After three decades of service to the Bottrop municipal music school, director Jürgen Slak has decided to retire. His departure was marked by a farewell ceremony attended by his colleagues and Martina Schilling-Graef, head of the city's cultural department.
In 1990, Slak played a key role in establishing the music school at the August Everding Cultural Center. Despite having only two months to prepare, he demonstrated impressive organization skills in setting up the school's operations for Bottrop. From 1999, Slak co-led the school alongside Ingo Brzoska, with Slak taking the reins as the sole leader following Brzoska's departure approximately a year and a half ago.
Throughout his tenure, Slak navigated various challenges and adaptations to ensure the music school's permanence within the city's cultural offerings. Highlights of his achievements include overseeing the implementation of the state program "Every Child Instruments, Dance, Sing - Jekits," and restructuring both the school's staff and student body. Slak also showcased his adaptability and creativity as a lecturer, arranging new musical pieces and productions for students' performances at city festivals, orchestral galas, and rock classic galas.
A classically trained guitarist, Slak was known for pushing the boundaries in terms of musical styles. Throughout his career at the music school, he remained an active performer, showcasing his ensemble's skills during the school's annual guitar weeks.
Joining Slak in retirement is fellow lecturer Many Miketta, who has also served the music school since 1990. Miketta, initially struggling to find a teaching room for his bass classes, went on to teach students in his parental home before moving to the school. Throughout his career, Miketta fostered a sense of joy and creativity in his students, affectionately referring to the music school as a "vast playground."
Reflecting on his time at the music school, Martina Schilling-Graef emphasized its importance as a magnet for cultural activities in Bottrop. The children of former students continue to be taught at the center, while the cultural committee praised Slak for his valuable contributions during their farewell meeting in the recent legislative period.
Additional background information:
Over the years, the Bottrop music school has played a significant role in fostering musical talent and providing opportunities for students to hone their skills. Through innovative curricula, strong community engagement, and dedicated teaching, Jürgen Slak and Many Miketta helped shape the music school into an integral part of the city's cultural landscape. Their contributions will undoubtedly be remembered and celebrated by their colleagues, former students, and the broader community.
Slak's retirement from the Bottrop municipal music school marks a significant change in the city's cultural landscape, as his 35-year tenure also included development of the education-and-self-improvement program "Every Child Instruments, Dance, Sing - Jekits." In a lifestyle reflecting both his dedication to music and education, Slak co-led the school and continually arranged new musical pieces, ensuring a vibrant and engaging learning environment for students.
