The Learning to Live Music workshop series started on Friday June 9, and ends tomorrow, Thursday June 15, at the Stellenbosch Konservatorium.
The collaboration came about after the Cape Town Music Academy (CTMA), in partnership with Felicia Lesch from Stellenbosch University’s Unit for Community Music, approached Berklee Educational Outreach in Boston, Massachusetts to become involved in an educational skills “plough back” initiative in the form of a workshop series aimed at music pupils, teachers, students and professional musicians from South Africa.
High school teachers and children from high schools and music schools connected to Stellenbosch University Community Music Unit (SUCMU), took part in high school day – from as far as Steenberg, George and Khayelitsha.
Students from the Stellenbosch University Certificate Programme in Music Literacy, who have had no music music tuition and wanted to acquire the necessary skills to be able to follow a degree in music, attended a week-long workshop series.
The workshop also had a mentor-focused series – a workshop for professional musicians who are also teachers and tutors in order to enhance their teaching skills and sensitivity to working with the youth.
Twenty of South Africa’s top musicians from places like the University of Cape Town (Shaun Johannes, Andrew Lilley, Dan Shout, Schalk Joubert), and community projects like Solms Delta (Carlo Fabe) and IMAD Khayalitsha Saturday School (Babalwa Meintjies) who participated, became certified Berklee tutors.
Six of the Berklee City Music Unit musicians tok part, including three-time Grammy award winner, Prince Charles Alexander, a funk artist from the 1980s who was producer to Puff Daddy, Sting and Aretha Franklin.
The team was led by Dr Krystal Banfield, dean of Berklee City Music and an international singer.
The workshop series will culminate in a showcase concert at the Fismer Hall, Stellenbosch University Conservatoire, 43 Victoria Street, Stellenbosch tomorrow, Thursday June 15, at 8pm. Entry is free but booking is necessary.
RSVP to luna@luminarproductions.co.za
Doors will open at 6.30pm, and there will be cash bar.
