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Zandile’s Story

The MusicWorks Early Childhood Development Programme trains 12-15 participants over a 9-month period. During this time, the participants (pre-school teachers, social workers, child-care workers etc.) learn how to incorporate music into their day, while using it in such a way that will encourage VALIDATION of each child, INITIATION from the little ones in their care and PLAYFULNESS! Our aim is for the programme to offer more than just basic music skills. Rather, it offers a new way of thinking about children as well as the value of creativity. Furthermore, songs and activities are developed with the participants during the training so that they can see how opportunities for little ones to express themselves can be created throughout the day. This training consists of three phases, in order to ensure that each participant undergoes: 1) Their own PERSONAL PROCESS around creativity and the power of music (The Music Child Process); 2) Training WORKSHOPS, in which songs and activities are developed as well as the underlying principles (encouraging validation, initiation and playfulness); 3) An accompanied MENTORING process, in order to assist them in implementing their newly acquired skills. Zandile, who we see in this documentary, was a participant of one of our training cycles. She shares her… Read More »Zandile’s Story

Volunteer with MusicWorks

Commencing mid-January 2016, MusicWorks will have an opportunity for a volunteer to join our team for a fixed term period of between 6 and 12 months. This placement will ideally suit, (but is not limited to) an individual keen to gain experience in the fields of music therapy, music and development or arts and health. The requirements of the volunteer position include that approximately 50% of the time will be spent completing various office based activities with the remaining 50% spent on our various programme sites. A small stipend may be payable to the successful candidate. Core competencies should include: 1. Competency in Microsoft office (word, outlook, excel and power point) 2. Good writing skills 3. Documenting and record keeping skills 4. Competency in social media (facebook, instagram, etc) 5. Musical skills (but not a pre-requisite) 6. Willingness to learn and flexibility 7. Be part of a small team and embrace MusicWork’s driving principles and philosophy as outlined in the vision and mission NOTE: The Volunteer will be responsible for the following: 1. Visa requirements (if applicable) 2. Flights to and from Cape Town (if applicable) 3. Accommodation 4. Food and sustenance 5. Transport (it is strongly advised that the volunteer has a valid driver’s licence… Read More »Volunteer with MusicWorks

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