HANGARMUSIK in the Canary Islands

There are currently more than 6,000 unaccompanied refugee minors residing in the Canary Islands, the majority of whom originate from West Africa. Many have endured violence, loss, and significant uncertainty throughout their journey to safety. In December 2025, Hangarmusik implemented a one-month project in Tenerife in cooperation with the Government of the Canary Islands, working within accommodation facilities for unaccompanied refugee minors.
HANGARMUSIK’s Leila Weber and Andreas Knapp, together with a local team from Santa Cruz, guided children and teenagers through their first musical experiences on violins and cellos. For all of the children, it was their first time holding a string instrument in their hands. Making music together like this created special moments of focus, trust, and joy.
A particularly moving highlight of the project was the invitation extended by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) to stage a rehearsal at the Auditorio de Tenerife. At the end of the performance, 13 musicians from the orchestra joined the children, teenagers, and the Hangarmusik team in performing a movement from Gustav Mahler’s 1st Symphony. In that moment, the refined orchestral sound of seasoned professionals intertwined with the tentative first notes of young new players, creating a deeply moving shared musical experience.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Government of the Canary Islands and the Winterreise Foundation for their support of this special project.