Focus Schools set the stage alight at the Artscape

It was an afternoon of singing, rhythm, blues, brass and all that jazz when the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) Training and Development programme kicked off this past weekend, starting with the Arts and Culture Focus Schools Live Performance, which took place at the Artscape in Cape Town on Sunday, 22 March 2015.

Schools and school music projects from around the Cape Metropole participated at the Arts and Culture Focus Schools Live Performance and they are Chris Hani High School, Wynberg Senior Secondary School, Heathfield High School, Pinelands High School, Langa School’s Music Project, Elsies River High School and Intyholo Jazz Development Project.

The concert was hosted by the national Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and ESP Afrika, the producers of the CTIJF. The event was supported by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS).

The entire program consists of rehearsals, live performance and event production workshops, and is presented by industry professionals and mentors who provide training within music industry standards. The program includes a skills development course, stage etiquette prep, musical appreciation and conducts training in both musical and production elements.

Every year, one of the schools is elected to perform on the main stage at the CTIJF, while an amalgamated group, consisting of members of each high school ensemble, has the opportunity to perform as an All Star Band at the Free Community Stage hosted by the CTIJF.

“Our involvement with the CTIJF is around development of youth musicians and for them to gain access to the festival’s events,” said William Masemola, Cultural Officer at DCAS.” This year we included the Langa Music Development Project as part of the Festival workshop that started in February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The music project was started by the department in 2012 as part of the broader music development in Langa and it has been growing ever since. Through our association with the CTIJF we are not only providing a platform for youth musicians to be part of the festival but we also ensure that they learn the mechanics of producing major festivals such as the CTIJF, an experience that will remain with them forever in their careers.”

A skills development workshop program designed to introduce students to the basic requirements of event management and production management, ran over a period of four Saturdays through February and March. Students who participated in this course had the opportunity to learn from, and be mentored by, qualified events professionals. Students who did exceptionally well on this course now have an opportunity to shadow professionals on the CTIJF week-long Training and Development Live Program held in various venues around the City.

DCAS offers our youth the opportunity to learn new skills and develop their artistic talent. Parents and communities should encourage their attendance. Let us continue to grow and nurture our local talent BETTER TOGETHER.