Music Interventions for children and young people
MusicWorks is a Non-Profit Organisation partnering with communities in Cape Town’s marginalised neighbourhoods.
In many parts of the Cape Flats, young children grow up in under-resourced environments, characterised by poverty, violence, abuse, substance abuse, gangsterism, neglect, abandonment or illness (most often a combination of these). Subsequently, many young children miss out on the playfulness of childhood, which in turn impacts on their emotional and social development.
This is How Music Works
Written, composed and performed by
Lize Beekman and children from Heideveld Primary
Why Music Works
We use the power of music to unlock potential in the lives of children and their communities.
Music is a social resource, with the profound ability to strengthen and heal individuals, as well as communities.
Through instrumental improvisation, singing, musical storytelling, song writing or movement to music, we create safe spaces for engagement, creativity, care and healing.
How MusicWorks
To many, making music suggests a luxury pastime, a ‘nice to have’.
To the children in our programmes, making music is a necessity, a life line,
offering a hopeful alternative to hopelessness.
Early Childhood Development Programme
(Creative Music Facilitation)
Focused on the holistic development of young children by validating them and encouraging playfulness, creativity and initiative.
Read more…
Music for Life
Programme
Weekly interactive after-school music activities lead by community musicians culminate in the staging of local music events and an annual concert.
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Music Therapy
Programme
One-on-one or group-based,
Music Therapy gives a voice to the unheard and unhealed experience, and assists the remedial process.
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Creative Resilience
Programme
Using creative techniques to nurture each child’s resilience by strengthen and connecting them to resources within themselves and their external environments.
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Where MusicWorks
For all its natural beauty, the greater Cape Town area can be a dangerous place for a child.
The ravages of drug and alcohol abuse, the normalising of violence and abuse,
and extremely high incidences of HIV/Aids infection, have left
thousands of Cape Town’s children and young people vulnerable.
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Music offers hopeful alternatives
We have witnessed the positive results of Music Interventions.
These positive results strengthen our belief that music offers hopeful alternatives to vulnerable children and young people in Cape Town.
Music gives hope and unlocks human potential
While not easily quantifiable, music is of infinite value
to the healing and strengthening processes of
both individuals and communities.
I have taught at this school for 28 years and I can clearly see the change in the children and the school since MusicWorks started its programmes here.
Deputy Principal
I always watched how Thabiso (MusicWorks community musician) performs magic with the kids. He always surprises me. Each time he comes with a different energy that the children enjoy.
MusicWorks Intern
I was on an outing with the women and a song came on the radio and they shouted, ‘This is our music therapy song!’ and they all sang together.
Staff member at
a place for safety
LATEST NEWS
- Learn More About MUSICWORKSLearn more about what MusicWorks does, and our programmes. This collection of short films showcases the programmes and the impact we have on vulnerable children and young people in local communities.
- Social Innovator in Arts and Culture AwardWe are thrilled to share with you that at an award ceremony at the Artscape Theatre Centre on Sunday 10 November 2019, MusicWorks and our… Read More »Social Innovator in Arts and Culture Award
- Look what MusicWorks has been up to during 2018!MusicWorks has had a busy year during 2018…not only with our onsite work but also with concerts, campaigns and workshops! These activities provided our young… Read More »Look what MusicWorks has been up to during 2018!