The Evolution of Nokuphila’s schools music programme
Music programme to help school learners improve their language and ability to understand other subjects.
The pilot for the recorder music programme was launched on May 18 2022 at The Love Trust’s Nokuphila School in Midrand. The programme was initiated by South African musician and composer Roland Moses, along with his wife Lynne Moses, who were put into contact with The Love Trust by Mercy Ministries, an initiative of Christ Church in Midrand, where they are members.
As well as being a successful musician, Moses is an advocate for education and works at the Tshwane University of Technology, as Head of their Jazz and Popular Music department. The purchase of instruments for the Nokuphila recorder programme is funded through the sale of Moses’ musical album, Paths of Light. And as Moses is a Yamaha-endorsed artist, the organisation has been on board since the programme’s inception, assisting with instruments and staff training.
After conducting research on the most sustainable teaching methods and instruments, the recorder programme was launched with Yamaha teaching all the staff members the recorder in 2021. Teaching the educators how to play the recorder allowed them to get to grips with the instrument, making it easier for them to impart musical skills to their learners.
In May 2022 the pilot programme was officially launched with the first class of Grade 3 learners and two teachers. This year, the pilot group of learners has progressed to Grade 4 having successfully mastered their recorder skills. This initial group is making continual progress and was recently introduced to the Yamaha Electronic Keyboard programme, while the Grade 3 group starts the recorder programme.
The inspirational growth of the programme has been further accelerated by Lynne Moses’ successful application for funding from her employer, FirstRand Bank. Through ‘Unsung Heroes’, a CSI initiative in which FirstRand Bank employees have the opportunity to apply for funding to support schools or charitable organisations. Lynne’s application was successful which allowed for the recent purchase of the Clavinova, a digital piano. In addition, the funding will see the music programme through this year, as well as the next.
According to the principal at the Nokuphila School, Mabel Sikhakhane, the recorder programme has helped the learners to improve their fine motor skills. Additionally, it has assisted them to learn terminology and patterns that enhance their understanding of mathematical concepts.
Developing their musical skills helps to improve their use of language, and the ability to relate this back to English, History, and different cultures. The educators have also seen an improvement in the learner’s aural skills, as the listening skills required in the programme help build up their inner ear hearing, which helps them in every aspect of learning.
When asked if the programme has grown in line with his initial vision, Moses said he is excited about the programme’s development, commenting that he sees a lot of himself in the young learners. “That was me at school. I may not have had access to many resources, but I always loved music and performing,” said Moses.
It is through the support of change-makers and generous donors that The Love Trust is able to continue transforming lives with its work in delivering quality Christian education to learners from disadvantaged communities.
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