Carpe Musicam! Orchestra was formed with the express intent

of providing an  orchestral"training ground" in the South Cape area.

​

Almost immediately it became obvious

that to create a sustainable  and growing orchestra in the area,

some form of musical skills development programme

was needed as a feeder scheme for the orchestra.

​

Most of the schools in the area have their own music departments

and it was thought undesirable (and, possibly, unethical)

to try and "poach" their students.

It was decided to try to identify young people who,

in the normal course of events,

would not be able to afford an instrument or music tuition.

​

Selected individuals are provided with an instrument

and placed with the best instructor available,

  on the understanding that the student will start playing with the orchestra

just as soon as he or she is able.

This is one area where the in-house orchestration policy really pays off.

Several of the project's beneficiaries

have already become members of the orchestra.

​

We firmly believe that playing in an ensemble

is the most effective way of learning an instrument,

provided that the ensemble playing is backed up by

solid practical and theoretical instruction.