By Tammy O'Reilly
YOUNGSTERS from Soweto and Noordgesig will soon have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument and eventually join a youth orchestra, with the launch of a City development programme in five recreation centres.
The Johannesburg Department of Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, with a financial boost of R175 000 from the province, are to launch the orchestral music programme next week.
The two-year pilot programme, to be overseen by renowned musician and founder of the Soweto Symphony Orchestra Mike Masote, will initially take on 125 youngsters - 25 at each of the recreation centres - and train them in general music and later specialising in particular instruments.
According to the project coordinator, Tsekho Tsehlana, the City's Department of Arts, Culture and Heritage Services noted that, of the 21 recreation centres owned by the City, only one offered music training to children.
The department decided this needed to be rectified and a plan to "develop orchestral music, with the aim of establishing a youth orchestra for purposes of conserving indigenous South African music" was submitted to the City Council for approval.
Music instruction is now set to begin at the Mofolo arts centre, Uncle Tom's arts and culture centre in Orlando West, the Pimville recreation centre, the Diepkloof multi-purpose hall and the recreation centre at Noordgesig.
Prospective musicians will be drawn from the local communities, Tsehlana said. "We have already spoken to teachers at schools in the specific areas and have asked them to look out for pupils who have an inclination towards orchestral music."
Qualified music teachers from a number of organisations will provide the expertise needed to carry out such a programme. Masote will coordinate their work.
Learners will be given general music education, through using the recorder, a flute-like instrument. "This is the most child-friendly instrument that can be used to demonstrate different notes and pitch."
More complex instruments, like the violin and cello, will be introduced at a later stage.
The first phase of the programme is expected to take one year. A children's symphony orchestra will only be formed during the second year of training.
"We expect to be able to hold an open day in about three months time to show people what the children have been able to achieve," said Tsehlana.
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