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Education & Development Music Academy
Education & Development Music Academy
| The Keiskamma Music Academy |
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An acclaimed musician, undoubtedly. Undoubtedly too, a compassionate soul. Helen understands the power and potential of music in the development of individuals. Lessons in music are lessons in life, growing levels of confidence, competence, discipline, significance, and a sense of self worth. Given the realities of impoverished rural community life in a village like Hamburg, such qualities are not easily grown. Opportunities are few for one-on-one coaching, between a teacher and a child in any field. This type of contact is a luxury that most South African children do not experience. In Hamburg, whether it is in the field of Health or after school education, it is the guiding principle of each person who works for the Keiskamma Trust that utmost care be taken, for each individual, be they very small, very sick or very old. People are cared for as individuals, and in every exchange, a sense of pride and self-worth is nurtured. In August 2006 Helen began the first intensive weeklong teaching periods in Hamburg, made possible by Yamaha South Africa who donated the full quartet of recorders: soprano, alto, tenor and bass, and Wouter Kellerman who provided Helen with the additional funding. Helen has returned to Hamburg five times to continue her teaching, twice accompanied by Lehlohonolo Mokotle. However, at the crucial beginning stages of learning an instrument, children ideally need one lesson per week. So, thanks to funding from Rand Merchant Bank, fourteen children are now having weekly lessons in East London with Linda de Villiers, a specialist recorder teacher. However, the vision for the Music Academy extends further than this. It is hoped that in 2008 there will be a permanent music teacher in Hamburg enabling 30 children to be supported in weekly recorder lessons in theory and practice, with the possibility of moving to other instruments after reaching grade three level. Besides recorder lessons and the beginning of a marimba band, warm in the pipeline, it is further hoped that; music education becomes an active element in schools in the district with musical education workshops available for teachers from the local schools, that specialist teachers can spend time in workshops, sharing their expertise in the community, that not only would students have entered and passed College of Music exams, but would also have the opportunity to play in ensembles and develop their own music. In entering external exams and taking part in Eistedfords in Grahamstown and East London, children from rural areas could also share some of the excitement of being part of the integrated Eastern Cape music community. The vision for music in Hamburg is as wide as people committed to growing something, doing something real, are prepared to imagine, and work towards. Hamburg is a beautiful place, with so many children desperate for alternatives to growing bored, leaving home, leaving school early to find work in cities, the kind of situations that exacerbate health and social epidemics, like HIV/AIDS. There are many professionals, with extraordinary skills, who could share what they know in such a receptive, creative community, hamstrung by limited resources and isolation from the rest of the country. However, financial support at this critical development stage, is vital. Thanks must go to the generous sponsorship so far from Yamaha South Africa, Wouter Kellerman, Rand Merchant Bank and Jean and Tom Lloyd. For more information about the Keiskamma Music Academy, contact Helen Vosloo at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 082 664 1190
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