SA Music Week reaches out
22 August 2003
South African Music Week returns this year with a focus on education and live music. From 23–30 August, learners around the country will be exposed to a video on careers in the music industry, while all nine provinces explode with emerging artist concerts under the Music In Public Places banner.
In a bid to promote greater understanding of careers in the music industry, the
Music Industry Development Initiative (MIDI Trust) has produced a 30-minute video which will be distributed free to 1 200 schools nationally during South African Music Week.
Featuring Zola, Hugh Masekela and other renowned South African musicians and practitioners, the video highlights some of the careers in the music industry - from
lighting engineer to artist management - and informs learners of the specific
requirements needed to embark on each career.
Supporting the video is a 16-page brochure elaborating and expanding on the
material highlighted in the
video.
Music in Public Places, now in its second year, will roll out nationally, taking music to audiences across the country for a week of free concerts in public places and spaces. Several other live events are also scheduled to take place under the Music Week umbrella.
Incorporating many genres of South African music, Music in Public Places creates a platform for undiscovered and emerging talent. This year it is also giving emerging promoters and technicians the opportunity to gain practical experience in running live events.
The full programme of events will soon be available on the SA Music Week website. Also check out these (and other) resources on the site:
At the end of South African Music Week it is anticipated that more than one
million learners will have seen the informational video, and that more than 120 new performances will have taken place nationally, with close to 1 000 new artists being exposed to 75 000 people.
According to MIDI Trust general manager Rosie Katz, research has shown that learners are interested in the music industry, "but do not know the breadth of potential careers nor how to go about entering the industry. We hope that this video and brochure will enlighten and encourage learners to enter this exciting yet demanding world."
South African Music Week retains its primary partnership with the department
of
arts and culture, while forging a new partnership with the
department of education. New relationships have also been formed with the
National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and MTN Free 2 Speak. The South
African Music Rights Organisation also continues to support the project.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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