Growth

Achievements of 2011

Concerts:
We returned from our very successful concert tour to Cape Town and Stellenbosch invigorated and tired. The Keiskamma Ensemble performed several times, did two workshops and performances at two schools, and our twelve most senior students performed as soloists with Camerata Tinta Barocca in a concert at St Andrews Church in Cape Town. We are proud of our children’s professionalism and inspiring performances. The audiences were both in ecstasy and moved to tears during their performances.

The audiences were fascinated by our unique “voice”, incorporating indigenous Xhosa instruments and music into our “classical” repertoire. We have a recording from this performance and some of the tracks were played on Fine Music radio.

We appeared on Expresso Breakfast Show on SABC 3 during our tour, with several pre recorded performances having been aired already.

Exams:
UNISA 28 practical exams were taken on two days in August in Hamburg. The results: 3 roll of honour, 16 distinctions, 7 merits, 1 pass.

(Jen Hoyer: our visiting recorder teacher from Canada singlehandedly managed the exams after only two weeks in the country. She is visiting for 6 months and is making a significant contribution to our progress.)


To the Keiskamma Arts Project in Hamburg
Dear Ms Vosloo,

I would like to congratulate all music candidates, teachers, managers and donors with the excellent work produced by the Hamburg candidates.
I have examined hundreds of music candidates from historically disadvantaged communities. Their averaged always seemed to be substantially lower than those of other candidates.
In the case of the Hamburg candidates, they all achieved well. Most of them achieved high marks in all sections of the exams, indicating that they received thorough training in all the components of the examinations. In average they achieved 3.8% better than the average of the other centers during my examination tour in August 2011.
This is really a remarkable achievement: a huge compliment to everybody involved. Would you kindly convey my sincere congratulations to all of them?

Regards
Dr Petrus Krige
(Examiner)


Awards:
Business and Arts South Africa: Chairman’s Premier Award awarded to the Keiskamma Trust in August 2011 in Newtown Johannesburg. The award recognizes sustained and extraordinary commitment to the arts in South Africa.
From L to R: BASA Chairman, Sikkie Kajee, Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile, Cebo Mvumbu (artist: Keiskamma Arts Project), Lihle Mtshonisi (leader: Keiskamma Music Academy) Pranill Ramchander of Anglo American, and Peter Bruce Editor of Business Day  

Highlights of 2010:

Performance in Rhodes Chapel during the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown receiving standing ovations
Performance in August at WITS Great Hall in Johannesburg with the Guernica Tapestry of the Keiskamma Art Project
Workshops by Senja Barthel from Berlin, Linda de Villiers, Oliviera Nickolic and others
4 students began orchestral instruments – flute, clarinet and oboe
UNISA exam successes – 16 distinctions, 4 merits, 8 passes. First Music Theory exams taken
Parents’ Committee established
Ubungani Wilderness Experience delivered Environmental & Leadership training
Publication of our first book – Keiskamma Songbook: Aquarium

Highlights of 2009:

Silver & Gold certificates received at the East London Eisteddfod May 2009
“Baroque & Blue” concert tour in Port Alfred & Grahamstown July 2009
Marimbas & Djembes purchased to broaden scope of music
15 students played Trinity college of Music Examinations in November – 10 distinctions, 2 merits (best marks achieved by any school in East London)

Highlights of 2008:

Students took part in East London Eisteddfod in May and won 3 silver certificates
7 students played Trinity College of Music Initial Recorder exam – 6 merit , 1 distinction
4 students travelled to Johannesburg & Pretoria for 3 benefit concerts in November, playing with Italian harpist Claudia Antonelli
Music Academy are granted 2 rooms at St Charles Sojola High School as a venue

Highlights of 2007:

Music students perform at the unveiling of the Kesikamma Creation altarpiece at Grahamstown Cathedral during National Arts Festival
14 students begin weekly recorder lessons in East London

Highlights of 2006:

Keiskamma Music Academy launched in august. 3 initial workshops involved 12 children and 5 teachers

We measure our success not only in terms of  exams passed (several of which are with distinction), gold certificates at Eisteddfod or the standing ovations at concerts. Our success is also measured in so many other ways; the personal growth of our students, their ability to express themselves and articulate choices, in harnessing discipline and appreciating the joy of music-making