Saturday Morning Music Programme
Every Saturday morning about 60 children from Philippi and Langa come to the South African College of Music to learn about and play music.
Mbira class
Proudly presenting the guitar |
Every Saturday morning about 60 children from Philippi and Langa come to the South African College of Music to learn about and play music. In this way they can escape – at least for one morning in the week – the hardships of life in informal settlements, learn and play together in small groups, and come into contact with various types of musics. And the children not only learn about music: The programme also encourages life skills, like perseverance and reliability.
The music programme at the SACM is based on a three-way collaboration: friends and colleagues in Germany donate money to the Berliner Missionswerk, who handles the financial administration; staff at the Lutheran community centre iThemba Labantu in Philippi prepare a breakfast for the children from this community centre and those from Langa; students and staff at the SACM teach in the programme.
The students in the programme benefit just as much as the children: Not only do they receive a small stipend, they also gain experience in teaching and insight into a world many of them know little about.
The Saturday morning starts with a session of dance and music involving everyone. Later smaller groups are formed exploring different instruments: currently various African instruments are taught as well as guitar, piano and singing/choir. The smaller groups then move from one teacher/instrument to the next, until they come together again for dance and music at the end of the morning.
As an added – and exciting – extra the children can attend and sometimes even perform in (!) concerts of the SACM at the Baxter concert hall.
Preparing lunch parcels at iThemba Labantu
If you would like to know more about the project or become involved, please contact one of the founders:
Dr Philipp Mathmann ( philippmathmann[@]gmail.com) – Germany
Professor Rebekka Sandmeier ( rebekka.sandmeier[@]uct.ac.za) – South Africa
The Saturday morning music programme at the SACM relies on the long-term support of donors to continue and to grow. With your support we can currently introduce about 60 children from Philippi and Langa to music, sponsor four students and provide food and transport. All donations flow directly into the project; there are minimal administrative costs. Your regular donation of ZAR100 or 10Euros per month will ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme.
Banking Details:
South Africa
Account Name UCT Donations Account
Account Number 071522387
Bank Standard Bank of South Africa
Branch Rondebosch
Branch Code 025009
To assist with prompt identification and processing of donations, please include an abbreviated donor name and donation purpose in the bank reference field. Once a deposit or electronic payment has been made, please notify us by email at angelisa.scheepers[@]uct.ac.za explaining what the donation is for.
Germany
Account holder Berliner Missionswerk
Bank Evangelische Bank
IBAN DE86 5206 0410 0003 9000 88
BIC GENODEF1EK1
Reference Musikstipendien iThemba Labantu
The donation is tax deductible through the Berliner Missionswerk.
Everyone together at the morning class |
Singing class |