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.
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 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.
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.
*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
*Laurie Nathan
*Bo Petersen
