Seniors from various old aged homes were treated to an afternoon of music and snacks by the Athlone Academy of Music last week.
The academy hosts an annual winter workshop during the school holidays where children are taught to play an instrument.
This year the workshop ran from Monday July 2 until Thursday July 5.
The Athlone Academy of Music is a non-profit organisation established in 1994 to provide music tuition in Athlone.
The initiative eventually expanded to include Langa, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Mitchell’s Plain, Retreat, Steenberg and areas as far as Atlantis and Malmesbury.
The music concert last week involved 12 band members playing old school music, new songs, as well as marimba beats.
The 30 senior citizens from Oak Haven, Erica Home and the Belgravia Seniors Home were treated to some snacks and tea during the concert.
The academy believes that music tuition helps with discipline, motivation and a sense of belonging – three basic values that children from poorer, disadvantaged communities need plenty of.
Administrator, Patricia Hassen, said the concert was an opportunity for the elderly to get out of the house and to keep the children occupied during the school holidays.
“For some of the children it was their first time learning to play an instrument and they are very proud of themselves. I hope that the seniors enjoyed themselves with us today,” she said.
Amy Ludick, 12, from Manenberg, started playing the piano last year.
She started attending the winter workshops at the age of six, taking inspiration from her aunt who played the saxophone.
“It relaxes me and makes me feel peaceful, but I am a bit nervous,” she said.
Another pianist Zoey Stoffels, 12, from Silvertown, also said she enjoys playing the piano because it has a calming effect on her.
“I have only been playing the piano for two weeks now, but I really enjoy it,” she said.
Aaron James Lemboe, 17, from Athlone, has been playing the drums for 10 years.
“One of my family friends played the drums and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. It makes me feel free and allows me to express myself in a group of people,” he said.
For more information about the academy, call Thurston Brown on 021 637 3072 or 078 220 4655.
