“As members of a community, it is important to use the skills we have and those we acquire along our learning process to better our communities. In this way, we are nurturing not only ourselves but also others.” This is Sehle Mosole’s take on music education and ‘artistic citizenship’ as part of a community project and music concert hosted by the Odeion School of Music (OSM) in Heidedal, Bloemfontein.

The OSM student was part of the project, a collaboration between the MUSE team – led by OSM lecturer Gerda Pretorius – and the Reach Our Community (ROC) Foundation. The integrated project started three years ago, and includes music education and a community concert.

In the community, by the community

A three-hour-long concert, which was the longest yet, ‘in the community, by the community’ was hosted on 11 November 2017 at the Heide Primary School. It was organised by the founder of the ROC Foundation, Patrick Kaars, project organiser Yolandi Springbok, school learners, OSM students, and the Heidedal Brass Band of George Foster, also an OSM lecturer.

The project is growing each year as the number of items delivered, learners involved, interaction of students, and attendance and participation of the audience expands. The spontaneous interchange of indigenous and westernised teaching methods was also an exciting outcome.

Sharing the love of music

First- and third-year OSM students specialising in music education annually engage in this community project. In 2017, sixteen learners visited the OSM on a weekly basis, where they were exposed to basic music principles through marimba playing, instruments, and other creative arts activities.

“I’m grateful that our university and the ROC make such experiences available to students. It feels great to share what I love,” says Xoliswa Mdukaza. Xoliswa and fellow third-year student Sehle facilitated the education contribution. Ashlin Grobbelaar, Micaela Wille, and Ezelle Erasmus, all first-years, took part voluntarily and even prospective students contributed their musical skills.