The Music in Community Choir, a newly established non-profit, is inviting residents from Ocean View, Masiphumelele and Red Hill to join its choir and violin projects, which take place every Saturday at Generation Schools Imhoff, from 9am to noon.

Co-director Kathleen Eggers said she was initially part of the Cape Flats Wellness Centre’s choir, which had partnered with the Masi Violin Outreach for some of its performances, but had decided to start a separate organisation which was registered this month.

She said the organisation was also looking for volunteers and local musicians to come along to rehearsals to inspire the children.

As a new organisation, she said, it recently celebrated several significant milestones.

On Friday, September 13, Ethan Simon, a pupil from Ocean View High School who led a concert at the Vision 24 Art Festival in March, went with Ms Eggers to a workshop called “Kodály Approach in Choir Rehearsal” at Wynberg Girls’ Junior School.

They hoped to use the Kodály method to improve their choir, she said.

She said the group’s first major outing as a newly registered non-profit was a visit to Artscape on Saturday, September 14, with Masi Violin Outreach.

She said they attended the final dress rehearsal for the variety gala concert celebrating 30 years of democracy with a diverse programme featuring the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Cape Town City Ballet, Jazzart, Unmute, Zip-Zap Circus, Tarryn Lamb, Vuvu Kumalo, Talitha Luiters, CPO Afri-Arts Choir, and Cape Town Opera.

The event, she said, was a source of inspiration for the group, made possible by tickets from the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and transport sponsored by Generation Schools Imhoff.

Aslam Richards, founder of the Cape Flats Wellness Centre, said he wished the Music In Community Choir well.

“I think it is a fantastic programme and I think the children in Ocean View can benefit from this programme and I would like to urge parents to take their children to join. You never know, they might just discover hidden talents. It is about nurturing local talent,” he said.

Ms Eggers said the Saturday programme is designed to foster musical skills and community spirit among pupils and the choir practice, where participants can enjoy moving to music and singing together to build social connections, takes place from 9am till 10am.

From 10am till 10.45am there is a beginner violin group, featuring assistance from more experienced students to promote leadership and knowledge.

From 10.45am till 11am, the children take a break and enjoy a snack, and from 11am till noon, there is a violin group for students with basic knowledge and at least 12 months of experience.

For more information or to get involved, contact Ms Eggers at kathy@musicincommunity.co.za

A group picture of the Music in Community Choir members.

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