At least 20 new learners from Langa, along with their friends, families and communities, will have their lives enriched by the sound of violin music, thanks to the City and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO).

As part of the Masidlale Music Project – a development programme run by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) and funded by the City – the Siyabulela Primary school in Langa took delivery of 20 violins in late January.
Masidlale means Let Us Play in Xhosa.

The City’s Arts and Culture Department has worked with the CPO to set up this satellite school, which trains learners as young as five to play musical instruments. This school will provide cultural education for the youth, especially those whose families do not have the financial means to pay for music lessons themselves.

Two satellite teaching centres already operate in Gugulethu and Nyanga, and the aim is to start seven new projects across the city.

It takes 15 years of intensive training to prepare a learner for an orchestra; and while skilled violin performers often progress from the youth orchestra to full fledged members of the CPO, every participating learner enjoys the simple pleasure and confidence that learning to play a challenging musical instrument brings. The City’s funding is used for training and facilitator fees and the purchase of instruments.

Together all the schools and their outreach programmes source and train 400 new musicians every year.