Jazz festival invests in the future of music
AT THE Cape Town International Jazz Fest (CTIJF) Music and Career Workshops, teenagers get the opportunity to take classes with industry experts from across the country.
These future music executives and artists are armed with more than their innate talent. They are given information that is vital to a successful career in one of the most competitive and rapidly evolving industries.
The CTIJF Music and Career Workshops take place over a month, with Grade 10 and 11 pupils from a number of schools spending their Saturday mornings getting an inside scoop on some of the latest trends affecting the music and entertainment space.
The workshops consist of theory and a host of interactive sessions. Participants get to hear first-hand accounts from industry professionals, about what is happening in the industry.
The workshops also look at the role of technology and its role in the life cycle of a performer and how it influences their performance. Teens are taught how to market themselves – understanding the value of their personal brand and the importance of being authentic in a world driven by hype and the pursuit of fame. Included are sessions on lighting, sound and event production for those considering working behind the scenes.
CTIJF director Billy Domingo (pictured, right) views these workshops as one of his highlights of the festival each year.
“As much as I enjoy working with my team to compile the line-up of performers, it is these training and development programmes that really enthuse me. Our future industry is only as strong as the calibre of people entering it.
“The CTIJF workshops play a vital part in ensuring there is a pipeline of enthusiastic and well-equipped recruits entering the profession. We aim our efforts at the youth, helping them to make better decisions for their career choices. We hope they gain as much fun out of these sessions as they do knowledge.”
At the workshops, the teenagers are also able to network with each other and then collaborate in a jam session on the last Saturday.
Participating schools at the 2017 CTIJF Music and Career Workshops include Cedar High School (Mitchell’s Plain), Wynberg Senior Secondary (Wynberg), Settlers High (Parow/ Belville). Alexander Sinton High School (Athlone), Livingstone High School (Claremont), Worcester High School (Worcester), Heathfield High (Heathfield) and Groote Schuur High (Newlands).
Matthew O’Connell of the band GoodLuck popped into the workshops and shared some stories to inspire the group. Local impresarios Camillo Lombard and Donveno Prins act as mentors to the teens and will also direct the schools in their performances at the live concert that will take place at the Artscape Theatre on Sunday. For more information, visit www.capetownjazzfest.com