The African Music Programme engages performers, composers, researchers and students in a quest for innovative African musical performance culture - sensitive to Africa’s musical heritage yet contemporary in its outlook.
Programme details
Established under the leadership of award-winning artist Dizu Plaatjies, the programme forms the central identity around which the College defines its uniqueness in the world. Grounded in performance, research, and pedagogy, students engage with musical practices from South Africa, the African continent, and global traditions, exploring both heritage and contemporary expression.
The full-time practical programme forms part of a fully integrated curriculum in which practical training in ensemble and solo performance is bolstered with African music theory and aural training as well as a solid array of academic and research courses. As part of training, students participate in two ensembles, one focusing on intersections with contemporary performance, the UCT Pan African Ensemble and one exploring indigenous and folkloric African musical traditions, the UCT Ibuyambo Orchestra. The department’s staff includes a variety of specialists in both performance and research including Keketso Bolofo, Assoc Prof Sylvia Bruinders, Dr Bronwen Clacherty, Dr Rick Deja, and Thabisa Dinga. In addition, guest lecturers from different parts of Africa and abroad are invited regularly to give master classes.
The overall aim is to encourage the emergence of individual artists with their own expression and independence, yet at the same time capable of working in large-group performance ventures. Students are afforded opportunities to participate in practical research work in various rural and urban areas further afield, for it is our intention to inculcate a pan-African vision of African music and performance.
We are especially concerned with building a connection between the artistries of older and younger generations. Africa’s rich musical heritage may be well researched but is still under-explored in the practical sense. Along with the older generations’ passing, a treasure-trove of knowledge and experience is slipping away and it is up to the younger generation to reach inwards to this legacy.
The African music programme aims to engage performers, teachers, stage-creators, composers, researchers, students and youngsters alike in a quest for an innovative African musical performance culture - one that is sensitive to Africa’s musical heritage yet pro-actively contemporary in its outlook. The department brings together specialists in performance and scholarship and hosts regular masterclasses with visiting artists and academics from across Africa and beyond.
A musical tribute to Latozi Madosini Mpahleni Umoya Uthethile, directed by Thabisa Dinga
The general aim of African Instruments courses is to produce competent performers on a range of African musical instruments. During the course of three/four years of practical study students will be required to specialise in the following instrument-categories:
In addition, students will need to gain further experience in two essential areas of African performance:
Voice
Dance
Students will have to demonstrate that they are proficient (as per level) on the prescribed core instruments and, as time goes by, choose to specialise in a minimum of two categories of instruments,
Each student is required to take part in two ensembles offered in African music: UCT Ibuyambo Ensemble and the Cross Genre Collab Ensemble.
Audition and pre-screening information
Entrance requirements:
Diploma students require a pass in matric.
Degree students require a Bachelors pass
All applicants are required to complete an in-person audition as part of the selection process. Details regarding audition dates, venue, and preparation requirements will be provided after application submission.
UCT Ibuyambo Ensemble
UCT Ibuyambo Ensemble provides large-group practical training in African performance skills in order to prepare students for the professional stage. Sessions will be aimed at further developing the interpretative and performance skills built into African Instrument courses, enhancing the micro-work done in one-to-one practical study classes through participation in large-scale performances for the stage under the guidance and tutorship of professional performers. Activities include lectures and mandatory participation in rehearsals and performances.
Cross Genre Collab Ensemble
This course provides practical training in performance skills in both folk and commercial/popular musics drawing from African, Diasporic, and other World Music traditions. Sessions will be aimed at addressing the differences between folk and commercial music and developing strategies in adapting music to different formats, fusing multiple styles/genres, as well as retaining the original performance style and aesthetics where appropriate.
Students will be encouraged to develop interpretative and performance skills through participation in collaborative ensemble playing under the guidance and tutorship of professional performers. While there is a strong emphasis on vocal and assorted percussion performance, other instruments such as horns, piano/keyboard, guitar, bass, and drumkit are needed and encouraged to participate.
Da África para O Brasil- From Africa to Brazil, directed by Mestre Renato Espirrinho
