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Sounds of MusicWorks

A MUSICWORKS SONG! Written and performed by Lize Beekman

This is the story of MusicWorks and it has to be told and heard. It is the story of hope. It is the story of people who use music to open new worlds for children. It is the story of the power of music which gives children second chances. It is the story of children who are taught how to communicate even if they don’t have words. Through the generosity of a longstanding donor, MusicWorks today launches a commercial recording written and performed by well-known South African artist, Lize Beekman. Music has the power to change lives, especially where trauma and violence have disrupted lives. For singer and songwriter Lize Beekman the therapeutic impact of music is a reality she has experienced first-hand. Thus it was an obvious match between Beekman and MusicWorks, as we utilise music as a therapeutic tool to support traumatised, sick and disabled children in communities within broader Cape Town and the Cape Flats areas. MusicWorks has inspired Beekman to compose and record her first commercial song in almost four years. “This is How Music Works” tells the story of how children who have been numbed and silenced by trauma, disability or illness, are helped to find their voice through the… Read More »A MUSICWORKS SONG! Written and performed by Lize Beekman

This is how Music Works…

Since 2002, MusicWorks has established itself as a leading force around the world in using music to bring about social change. Driven by a passion to mobilise musical resources across the Cape Peninsula’s most marginalised communities, MusicWorks has used the power of music to provide its impact. Music Therapists working alongside Community Musicians established three programmes that focus on clinical Music Therapy interventions, an Early Childhood Development training programme and the Music for Life after-school programme. We invite you to watch this short film that brings to life the change that is brought about every day using Music as a powerful tool that brings about hope and possibilities.

Bringing the Music Home

Please take 6 minutes out of your day and watch our film…it displays tenacity, courage and determination whilst demonstrating the incredible power of music. MUSICWORKS has been privileged to receive funds to not only rebrand our organisation, but to also make three short films on each of our programmes. The first film made by Plexus Films, showcases our Music for Life (MFL) programme. Following one beneficiary’s journey during a rehearsal process culminating in a concert within the Heideveld community, the story of Music for Life is told by Marcelino Fielies. Marcelino has been part of our programmes for the past 7 years, and his story is one you will never forget! Starting off as a beneficiary of our music therapy programme, Marcelino later joined our after school music programme, learn to play indigenous African marimbas. Displaying exceptional talent, Marcelino quickly progressed and although faced with his own internal struggles and cross roads, Marcelino made positive choices and is now a Community Music Facilitator intern with MusicWorks, training other young people from within his community to play marimbas and runs gumboot dance workshops in Lavender Hill and Heideveld. In a society where positive role models are in short supply, this young man leads from the front… Read More »Bringing the Music Home

Gumboot Dance Workshops

Captivate your child with the excitement of Gumboot Dance whilst giving the same opportunity to children on the Cape Flats!    Gumboot Dance Workshops is an exciting music programme developed by MusicWorks’ music therapists and community musicians. The Workshops are based on our VIP Principles: Children are Very Important (little) People who should have their contributions Validated, as well as have an opportunity to Initiate creatively and be Playful.  The programme focusses on pre-schoolers (3-6 years) and includes Gumboot Dance songs and routines, as well as musical techniques that encourage creative and physical development in young children. Whether the children are learning the steps to a Gumboot dance, contributing sounds and movements to a story-song, or experimenting on a drum, the VIP activities adapt to the age appropriate levels of creative play. The programme not only develops children’s singing, dancing and rhythmic abilities, but also enhances gross motor function. Furthermore, the songs are sung in Xhosa, English and Afrikaans which exposes children to Cape Town’s cultural diversity. We have piloted this programme at ‘Kidz on Board’ in Sea Point, with high praise from both teachers and parents. We are currently looking to expand this programme in other schools on the Atlantic Seaboard. The cost for… Read More »Gumboot Dance Workshops