Hello ex International Horn Society conference attendees and SA Horn Society members
Recently I went to a Rotary District Conference. One of our amazing keynote speakers was Adm Louw from the SA Navy which is based in Simonstown. He spoke to us about their community projects. He was meant to have 10-15 mins and he finally took over 30 mins and still could not finish his talk. They are doing great things with disadvantaged community children. Here is a piece written by Adm Louw and attached are some photos: Izivunguvungu activities can be summarized as follows: It is a NGO that started in 2001 with objectives to develop children of financially disadvantaged communities in order for them to become role models in their societies. Sailing was originally used as a medium to develop champions - poor but respected for excellent results achieved, in 2007 members of Izivunguvungu were national champions in three different classes. In February 2005 a sub programme with music as the medium to give children in disadvantaged communities alternatives to gangs and drugs. Cdr (ret) Mike Oldham, retired Director of Music of the South African Navy Band, was appointed as programme leader. A humble start with 2 brass instruments expanded to include 100 learners making use of a number of brass instruments and drums donated from Europe. Cdr Oldham visits settlements like Masiphumalele, Red Hill and Ocean View on a daily bases. A band of ± 40 children is now a regular sight at Navy Festivals, Knysna Oyster Festival, Christmas Carol events and Community events throughout the Cape Peninsula. A second music programme was started in Saldanha in May 2008, Mr Willem du Preez retired Head Master and a well known figure in youth brass bands in Cape Town is the programme leader with dramatic results after only two months. In Saldanha as well as Simon's Town there is a great need for instruments. Saldanha has a special need for French Horns as a number of students have tested for the instruments. Double French Horns (2) will be highly appreciated. Other instruments that are hard to come by are Cornett's, and Saxophones. Believe it or not Saldanha also needs 1 X Tenor Drum and 1 X Side Drum. Mouth pieces are also required as one instrument can be used by a number of students as long as each one has his own mouth piece. You will notice in the photos there is not a picture of a French Horn is site although I seem to remember Adm Louw telling me they had 1 between all their bands and teaching programmes. When I asked him what they really needed he said French Horns would be most welcome but they really needed mouth pieces for the children that would be taught to play the French Horn(s) and you know and understand why. Something that I had never realised and made sense and has stuck in my memory is that there is a direct correlation between music and mathematics. Part of the music programme is a mathematics programme which is being taught to these children too. Please, Please. If there is anyone out there that has a French Horn to donate or mouth pieces to donate, please can you come back to me so that we can arrange to get this to Adm Louw for their teaching programmes. I will go and see to the delivery for you and take some pictures to send back to you. I trust that you are keeping well and happy Elizabeth Danckwerts A&E Consultants PO Box 2760 Clareinch 7740 021-683 5522 082 468 7504 www.aecon.co.za
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