Joza-based music education programme Access Music Project (AMP!) is set to widen its reach with the recruitment of two new staff members.
Joza-based music education programme Access Music Project (AMP!) is set to widen its reach with the recruitment of two new staff members.
Gareth Walwyn and Shiloh Marsh, determined to address inequalities in senior school subject choices and arts education opportunities, established the programme just under four years ago.
Both musicians and qualified teachers, they teach practical music, music theory, music literacy, sound technology and ensemble work in a five-year programme.
At the end of the five years, the pupils, drawn from Grahamstown township schools, gain a formal qualification that will open up further possibilities for careers that involve music.
The couple have not only been responsible for teaching, but also the fundraising and administration of the project. The announcement of a significant financial boost from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) will enable AMP! to employ two additional staff members.
Explaining how this will boost the project, Walwyn said not only would it enable them to establish another music class; it would also make it possible to establish more outreach bands at local schools.
"We'll be able to do more of what we're really good at and hand over some of the admin and fundraising," Walwyn told Grocott's Mail. He said they currently worked with 40-100 pupils, and would be able to increase this number significantly with administration and fundraising taken care of.
The larger vision of the project is to address imbalances in advantage and representivity in the music industry, Walwyn said.
"By facing up to these challenges we hope to open up career and study opportunities to matriculants.
“As long as music is denied as a subject option, the potential pathways which underprivileged learners can follow are limited,” said Walwyn, himself an experienced composer, arranger and director.
The curriculum emphasises African and contemporary music, and music technology.
AMP! also has an outreach programme through which it runs ensemble groups at various schools. The project's first graduate, Athenkosi Nelani, passed the Grade 5 voice and Grade 5 music theory exams set by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music after three years with the project. He has been accepted to study towards a Bachelor of Music degree at Rhodes University.
The two new staff members currently being sought will be a Curricular Music Teacher and an administrator/fundraiser.
Walwyn said in addition to the usual qualifications and experience, they were looking for individuals who were willing to be active agents for social change with a “get-up-and-go” attitude.
Both positions are currently being advertised on AMP!’s website.
