It was hard to tell who was more excited about a performing arts presentation held recently at Constantia Primary – the principal or the learners.
Getting the jump on Youth Day celebrations (Thursday 16 June), the school’s presentation event held the day before included performances by the school’s choir, their recorder group and learners who participate in the drama classes presented at the school by the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy.
Speaking to People’s Post on the morning (Wednesday 15 June) just before the start of the event, principal Alistair Adams shared that they had big plans to expand the musical programme at the school which included starting their own official orchestra next term.
Music teacher Christopher Siljeur says the orchestra is a spin-off from the request for instruments that went out last year May. Thanks to an overwhelming response from the public, the school received over 500 recorders – a recorder for each learner at the school.
Siljeur says over the past number of months they have continued the drive for instruments.
“We are starting in the new term with violin, cello and viola, and then we are also doing brass and woodwinds as well.”
As to how many members there will be in the orchestra, Siljeur says their aim is the more the merrier.
“Our only obstacle is the instruments. Unfortunately, the school won’t be able to afford to buy instruments and that is why we are depending on donations, on people that are willing to hire out at a very low cost. So either way, it will benefit us.”
He adds that three instruments have been donated so far. For the rest, they are currently relying on instruments that his daughter, Ashleigh, usually rents out.
“My daughter, who will be teaching strings, will plough the rest back into the school. But the biggest challenge is that we still need flutes, a trumpet and clarinets,” he adds.
Siljeur says through playing music, they have seen major changes in their learners.
“Especially as far as discipline is concerned. There are lots of them who battled with paying attention. That has improved.”
But even more importantly, he says music adds value to learners’ lives.
“It makes you a holistic person. You can appreciate it, you can participate. They may not end up being a music teacher, they may not end up playing for the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, but they are able to relate. It brings about that calmness in one.”
Siljeur says he can attest to this from personal experience.
He says, as a boy he was given the opportunity to play an instrument.
“But I was never really interested. But there was one teacher, Mr Zingo. He was a jazz musician from Louisiana who came to teach at our school.
“He found out that I had started on the trumpet and he took me by the hand. I was a very naughty boy, and deurmekaar (confused), but this man gave me a chance.”
Siljeur says it stood him in good stead.
“It is just really an amazing feeling to be able to teach children, especially music, which is so much disregarded at schools and we have this opportunity to do this here.”
To get involved, call 021 794 6186 or email constantia.prim@wcgschools.gov.za
