HOUT BAY MUSIC PROJECT - A Charitable Trust
PROJECT DIRECTOR: LEANNE DOLLMAN NPO. NUMBER: 047-761-NPO
CELL NO: 082 6695613
The Hout Bay Music Project was founded in May 2003 by Leanne Dollman through her desire to offer the children of the Hout Bay community the opportunity to play a musical instrument. Leanne is a violinist and she decided that any contribution she could make would best be made through music. The project supplies a teacher and musical instrument and once a child can carry a tune he is placed in an orchestra and ensemble like a string quartet.
The Project is now a registered Charitable Trust and registered NPO.
The Project now has two cello teachers Kim Fowler and Sarah Acres and Double Bass teacher, Jan Stefan van Der walt and a violin teacher, Leanne Dollman. Dr Jack De Wet guides the technical development of the violins and Marion Lewin, a very well known South African cellist, conducts chamber music workshops and gives cello lessons.
Unfortunately, Hout Bay is still a divided community. Therefore one of the main aims of the Project is to provide a platform for children and parents from Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg Harbour Village and children from more privileged schools in Hout Bay and surrounds to interact in a natural and meaningful way. The Project strives to perform music of a high standard and also to expose children to the music of many different cultures. In this way respect for cultural diversity is encouraged. The Orchestra and string ensembles are the perfect musical models for a functioning society; a community where teamwork, creativity and hard work create immense beauty. Music changes lives .
Our orchestra is a vehicle of social upliftment and change. It allows for fundamental communication between individuals. Our teachers have high standards and give of their best and expect the same of the children. We ask children to attend up to five lessons and rehearsals per week. They practice technical exercises and work at their intonation and interpretation, constantly striving to raise their standard of performance. The children experience adults who are wiling to invest time and energy in them. Time and time again we see disruptive and angry children become motivated, disciplined, engaged and joyful individuals. These children then become involved in teaching activities at our Project, sharing their knowledge and encouraging others to progress. Some of our children have come from abused backgrounds or have been involved in violence and crime. Music provides drive, focus, passion and moments of beauty in lives where children are often forced to deal with adult issues like despair and abject poverty.
At present children from the Oranjekloof Moravian Primary School, Sentinel Primary Hout Bay, Hout Bay High School, Camps Bay High School and Constantia Maths and Science Academy, Herschel, The Deutsche School and Sweet Valley Primary School are members of the Project.
The local businesses and Hout Bay Community have responded enthusiastically and the Project has been supported by being provided with temporary premises, refreshments and food for the children.
The Project has ignited the innate musicality of the children and has already produced some very competent musicians. Three of the children successfully auditioned for the Franschoek Mountain Chamber Music Week and but for a lack of funding another six children were likely to have been at a level to successfully audition for this camp. Our children have participated in many exciting workshops, some with international soloists like the French violinist Philippe Graffin. The inspiring musicians of the English Chamber orchestra returned to Hout Bay for the second time this year to work with our children. The Kammerphilharmonie Amade, a German orchestra, worked with our children in 2006. Six of our children were flown to Gauteng to participate in the ‘ Music Is A Great Investment’ Orchestra Course in 2006.
H.B.M.P. has collaborated many times with the very successful Jikeleza Dance Project, performing together at the Artscape Theatre. Growing in confidence the children have been given the opportunity to perform at the Lindberg Theatre, The British High Commissioner’s Farewell Party, Collaborations Dance Festival at Artscape, The Baxter Theatre as part of the Cape Town Jazz Festival, the President’s residence, Groote Schuur, The Mount Nelson Hotel, The Mnet Awards at the Table Bay Hotel and the City of Cape Town Showcase at the Artscape Opera House and many other corporate functions like The Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition with Trevor Manuel.
The Project is growing and provides a much-needed extra-mural activity for 60 children from the community, some of whom have been identified as youth at risk. A Life Skills Program is being introduced where issues like HIV Aids, Teenage Pregnancy, Self Confidence, Gender Issues and Career Guidance will be adressed on a weekly basis. In addition to musical skills, the beneficiaries of the Project also acquire many life skills such as self-discipline, goal setting, impulse control, teamwork and self-management. Performing is part of this Project, the children’s self esteem and self-confidence are boosted and they are offered a new perspective on life. But most of all, they have fun.
The Project wishes to thank the following donors for their generosity in assistance with funding and support :-
*Music Is A Great Investment (MIAGI)
*The Township Trust – UK
*City of Cape Town
*Fifth Quadrant Actuaries
*Podlashuk Charitable Foundation
~ Chance For All (Holland)
~ Marlies Schaper (Hout Bay)
~ Barclays Bank UK
~ Amateur Chamber Music Players
(Southern African Chapter)
~ The Lions Club Hout Bay
~Roje Kisten
*Woolworths, Hout Bay
*Hout Bay Rotary
*The Todes Family
*Old Mutual
