This week Ntaba Maria Primary School was the recipient of a set of marimbas made by Grahamstown-based music factory African Musical Instruments (AMI), and bought for them by AMP! through Lottery funding.
This week Ntaba Maria Primary School was the recipient of a set of marimbas made by Grahamstown-based music factory African Musical Instruments (AMI), and bought for them by AMP! through Lottery funding.
The Access Music Programme (AMP!) has committed itself to making access to music study a reality for aspiring young musicians in Grahamstown.
The programme, in its fifth year, teaches music theory, practical music and music literacy. It focuses on children in township schools, which they also support by bringing in musical instruments.
Access Music Project administrator Matt Maralack says the music classes will open many opportunities for the young musicians.
“We have been running research and identified schools able to house the marimbas," Maralack said.
"We have a total of seven schools that we are planning on supplying with these musical instruments.”
He says AMP! trains school teachers to teach the instruments to pupils.
“We are particularly are looking at primary schools because we want the kids to grow familiar with these musical instruments.
"By the time they finish high school, they will have formal qualifications that will open many possibilities for them,” said Maralack.
Ntaba Maria teacher responsible for the school's music programme, Di-Anne Oosthuizen, says the experience she has received from AMP! will be valuable for the children at the school.
She says this is an opportunity for many children who don’t excel academically, but have a good ear for music.
She says the instruments at Ntaba Maria will give pupils time to study the instruments.
"They will go to high school with the lessons learnt," Oosthuizen said.
Project director Gareth Walwyn said pupils should be very grateful for the opportunity.
Later on in life they would realise how fortunate they were to have such support with these kinds of instruments.
He says AMP!'s aim is to give school children the opportunity to study music.
AMP! has also opened its doors to a number of aspiring young musicians, giving them music lessons.
These children perform in a band known as AMPliFIRE.
