GEORGE NEWS - Carpe Musicam! Orchestra has been hard at work to improve and grow their musical family. They are making big strides in the establishment of group lessons for young musicians eager to improve or learn an instrument.
Carpe Musicam! welcomes applications from any youngster who can play, or wishes to learn to play an orchestral instrument of any type. In addition, the orchestra's choir began with rehearsals on Monday following a period of rest.
The choir is much smaller than before and will be accompanied by the Carpe Musicam! Quintet in their concerts later this year.
"It has been very pleasing to interact with the members again and hear their voices raised together in song once more," said choir conductor Elsabe Barkhuizen. Apply to join the young musicians or the choir by sending an e-mail to elsabe@carpemusicam.co.za.
Music as medium
"Music is the most wonderful medium with which to develop young people," said conductor Norman Carless. "Not only are all areas of the brain stimulated by the learning and playing of a musical instrument, but other important societal skills are developed, such as punctuality, teamwork, responsibility, time management and individual goal setting."
Carpe Musicam! now has ten youngsters playing a variety of wind instruments, who gather on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at George South Dutch Reformed Church.
The young musicians are divided into two groups to enable the maximum individual attention possible in a group class, and to allow for growth. Both groups practise the same music and will rehearse together, with an eye to future public appearances at Carpe Musicam! concerts.
"Each individual has music that is within his or her abilities, yet is challenging and contains valuable lessons, so that beginners and somewhat more advanced players are able to play together," said Carless.
"The most exciting thing about this project - apart from seeing young people enjoying themselves playing in a group - is that we will be building a pool of skilled ensemble players to feed the orchestra; or even other orchestras in our country."
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