Music for Africa Trust

The Beau Soleil Music Centre established the MUSIC FOR AFRICA TRUST (BSMAT) in order to secure funding for the centre’s Development Projects, in order to make instrumental music tuition available to learners from previously disadvantaged communities. The following current projects fall under the BSMAT: 

1. IFIDYOLI Development Project

2. The Ottery Road Methodist School Development Project

3. Westlake Primary School Development Project

Major achievements: Apart from frequent performances, some of the development pupils have taken music as a matric subject and are now studying at UCT and US, and performing semi-professionally. Three of these post-matric students have recently returned to teach in the IFIDYOLI project, under supervision of the Project Manager, Elzahn Johnson, and other experienced teachers.

Financial Features: The organization is a Registered Trust – Number IT 3480/2002, regular accounting practices are employed in the organization and provision is made for an annual audit. 

The Beau Soleil Music Centre was started in 1982 by the Western Cape Education Department to meet the needs of specialised instrumental music tuition in the Cape Town area. In 1999 the Music Centre’s development programme was initiated to meet the growing need for instrumental music tuition in previously disadvantaged communities. The Beau Soleil Music for Africa Trust (BSMAT) was formed in 2003 in order to raise the desperately needed funds to support this developmental programme. 

Late in 1999 Ms Kathleen Garrity, a violin teacher at the Beau Soleil Music Centre, began to teach some children from Khayelitsha, a sub-economic housing area close to Cape Town.  Starting with an initial group of 16 pupils, violin classes were held on Saturday mornings as a parallel programme at the Music Centre.  In the group lessons Ms Garrity developed a unique and very effective teaching method that involved lots of action and interaction between the students.  Initially they learnt folk songs from around the world but especially local South African melodies.  After a relatively short time they were proficient enough to play at concerts.  The group soon became known as the “Ifidyoli Ensemble” as a Xhosa word for violin is ifidyoli.

Gradually those who were doing well were given the opportunity to come to the Centre on weekday afternoons to have individual lessons with some of the best instrumental teachers available in Cape Town.  As more teachers became involved, the children had the chance to learn other string instruments such as cello and double bass as well. 

In order to make this possible for these children, all of whom are from previously disadvantaged communities and with weak financial backgrounds, transport to the Music Centre was paid for out of the Centre’s funds. Those pupils who reach a sufficient proficiency are integrated in the mainstream programme at Beau Soleil, contributing further to the social integration of all our learners around a common passion.  

It is well documented and universally accepted that a musical education contributes significantly to a child’s development, contributing to the development of mental discipline, motor, emotional, social and cognitive skills, construction of identity, self definition, self confidence and cultural confidence and an enjoyment of life. Through the BSMAT development projects, the Music Centre seeks to extend these benefits to learners who would otherwise be excluded.

IFIDYOLI Collaborations

IFIDYOLI has been invited to collaborate with another Strings Project for two concerts this year. We will be doing a joint concert at the Beau Soleil Music Centre on 13th of  May and a repeat of the concert at the Hermanus Fynarts festival on the 16 June, youth day. We are extremely excited to join forces with another project and we look forward to many more musical collaborations.   

The ENLIGHTEN STRINGS PROJECT, was formed in honour of the late Mr. Alex Bury, who was very fond of music. Many years ago he has set up a similar project in Durban. Very young violinists will be showing their talent at this concert. The STRINGS PROJECT has since its inception been enlarged to 12 violins and two cellos . These brilliant young learners receive group and individual lessons per week. Last year they performed as part of the ENLIGHTEN YOUTH ORCHESTRA.

Extra Fun on Saturdays

We have broadened our activities to include some crafting. The children are most creative and enjoy painting and colouring every Saturday. 

Tim Kliphuis Improvisation Workshop

 

Xola Beku and Anele Gushelo have been awarded the Edward Ebel scholarship to attend Grappelli-Django Camp presented by the Gypsy legend Tim Kliphuis. This workshop happened on the weekend of 3-5 March at Rondebosch Boys High School. The boys reported back and said they had a fabulous time learning new things and we are so proud of them.

 

Donations

The Ifidyoli project has had a busy start to the year and have had at least 25 new learners starting new instruments. Here the beginner violins enjoyed some outside lessons under the trees. 

 

 

 

 

 

We have initiated an instrument drive and have already had a great response from parents and from the public. Liesl Zuhlke (parent) donated various books and lesson materials. John Montanari donated his old ¾ violin. It is a wonderful start and we really appreciate every last donation.

 

David Juritz Visits Beau Soleil

 

Cape Town born violinist, David Juritz, is one of the most versatile violinists currently working in the UK, dividing his time between solo performances, directing, chamber music, working as guest leader with many of Britain’s finest orchestras and leading his own group, the London Tango Quintet. From 1991 to 2010, he was the leader of the London Mozart Players. He has directed the Royal Philharmonic, Zurich Chamber Orchestra and Mozart Festival Orchestra as well as many other ensembles. 

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Subcategories

BSMAT/Ifidyoli Management Team

BSMAT/Ifidyoli Project Management Team

Sarah Evans, Siyathemba Nteta, Fiona Grayer

info@beausoleil.org.za

 

BSMAT Gallery

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