Appendix 6 - International Music Council

With only one electronic piano on which to teach, and no other piano for
the piano students to practise on, my situation looked miserable. Once I
started, I was astounded at the pace at which these learners managed to
progress. Keeping a close eye on them to find out what their secret was, I
came to the knowledge that the following paved the way for these learners
to reach their goals:
• Their will to succeed
• Looking beyond the situation and circumstances that they find
themselves in
• The ability to channel their dreams and passions into something
pleasurable, rewarding, stimulating and yet highly intellectual
I discovered learners drawing the piano keyboard on a piece of paper and
practising their pieces in silence on a table. Others were lucky enough to
own miniature keyboards to practise on.
After six months of piano lessons, I had three learners who progressed
from knowing less-than-nothing about the piano, to playing pieces from the
UNISA Pre-grade 1 piano syllabus. They receive only one thirty-minute
lesson per week that actually serves as a practise session! Once again the
UNISA Music Foundation sponsored these three learners and they passed
with flying colours (69%, 79% and 81%).
Choir
When I was appointed in 2004, I was very enthusiastic to start a choir. In
the past, Mamelodi High School was always known for its excellent choir. I
set things in motion and began with a small vocal ensemble consisting of
some of the music students. At the start of the third term, a request came
that I involve the whole school, and I set out to start auditioning pupils.
About 150 learners turned up for the auditions, and unfortunately this
number consisted of approximately 90% girls. The amount of talent I
discovered was amazing and it gave birth to the formation of a girls’ and
boys’ choir.
After five weeks of practise, we had our first performance in the ZK
Matthew hall at UNISA. It was a stunning performance. After this concert, I
was looking forward to starting a Christmas programme that we could
perform at various churches. Yet, almost no one came to the rehearsals.
The reasons for this, I was told, was that there is a culture in their schools
that a choir does not practise continually throughout the year! Practice
only starts six weeks before a competition and stops until the next
competition.
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