On Thursday, October 7th, I spent time visiting the Kimberley Music Academy.

Here is the background as I understand it — apologies in advance for any inaccuracies!

In 1994, during the government changeover following the end of apartheid, many changes were made to the national education system in South Africa. As with most significant changeovers, this reworking of the system included both positive and negative changes. One of the rather unfortunate changes was the removal of music and the fine arts from the official school curriculum. Many students thus found themselves without access to musical instruction, and many music teachers found themselves unemployed.

Following this period of change, two music teachers (Faan and Kim Malan) set out to open a music school in the town of Kimberley. The initial school was run from their home, but this didn’t last long. The music school (offering lessons and ensembles to all ages) became extremely popular, and it quickly overtook the space. The school then re-located to a larger house, which also was lacking in terms of available facilities.

The Malans then approached the local government, seeking some support for the school in terms of both space and financial resources. The timing turned out to be fortuitous, as there was already a movement afoot to start a new university in Kimberley. The organizers were open to the idea of incorporating the music school into the new institution (the National Institute for Higher Education), and the school was granted a building (one that needed quite a bit of work, but a building nonetheless).

The music school is now divided into three distinct parts. Firstly, there is an independent music academy in Kimberley, which offers lessons, ensembles, and music theory to approximately 500 students. Secondly, there is a similar music academy in one of the local township communities, where approximately 300 students are served. Finally, there is a tertiary program (akin to a university program) that allows serious students to earn a Bachelor of Music degree. This program, which currently has about 20 students, will eventually become a department/school within the new university at Kimberley.

Overall, I was very impressed with the operation. While many public schools have choruses as an extra-curricular activity (since chorus programs are, by and large, quite inexpensive to run), only the wealthiest and most privileged students have access to general music and instrumental instruction. The Kimberley school is thus offering an important service to the community. Students can take lessons in a full range of instruments and participate in a wind band, orchestra, and a wide variety of smaller ensembles.

The school has been creative with its physical building (which was originally constructed as a school and was then utilized by the military), including changing military-style toilets into small practice rooms (key step: remove the urinal). During a tour of the premises, I was impressed by the constant planning for the future (“We want to take out this wall and turn this into a performance space…”).

Most importantly, though, I was impressed by the fact that a few people saw a need (both in the community and for themselves), then essentially set about creating the type of world in which they wanted to live. The music school, though still lacking in terms of facilities, equipment, and funds, is clearly a place where students and teachers enjoy spending time. The passion and high spirits of everyone involved were clear in every tiny detail on the campus (and made me particularly homesick for my ensembles back in Chicago).

Many thanks to Estelle Vorster and Faan Malan for facilitating my visit!

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