South Africa's Strong week of Music
TJ
CONTACT: TOTAL EXPOSURE
24 JULY 2000 TEL (011) 788-8725
dia...@total-exposure.co.za
http://www.samw.co.za
South Africa's Strong week of Music
The first South African Music Week takes place from August 28 to September 2
Last year, for one very special day, South Africa united in harmonious
embrace to celebrate, honour and pay tribute to music - South African music.
Due to an overwhelming response to the country's first national South
African Music Day, the power of music will once again draw the nation
together in musical celebration. But this time the festivities will last not
for a single day, but for an entire week of activities that encapsulate,
celebrate and highlight our true multicultural and diversely musical
talents. From August 28 to September 2 South African Music Week will sing
and dance its way into the nation's psyche.
Having successfully created an awareness of South African music with the
national day last year, this year the National Arts Council (NAC) and the
Music Industry Development Initiative (MIDI Trust) together with the support
of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (DACST), Business
Arts South Africa (BASA), the Association of South African Music Industry
(ASAMI) and the South African/Norwegian Music, Education and Development
Project (MMINO) will turn last year's beats into a rhythm and take that
awareness to an even greater height - not only creating a consciousness for
our country's diverse musical styles, but also enhancing skills, educating
and strengthening networks.
"Music has always been a vital component of South African society," says
Rosie Katz of the Midi Trust. "Yet it is an underground river, affecting us
from below, never receiving the recognition it deserves. What we plan to do
is expose this river so all South Africans can drink from it and experience
the refreshing joy that South African music brings."
As well as simply creating an awareness of and celebrating South African
music, South African Music Week aims to boost the profile of South African
musicians, enhance skills and strengthen networks within the industry, while
taking South African music to live music venues, retail outlets, radio TV,
in print, conference rooms, studios, schools, community centres on the
street and into homes.
To do this South African Music Week will be filled with activities from live
shows to education and training programmes, while marketing South African
music to all media. So whether you are listening to the radio, watching
television, reading a newspaper or magazine, or simply looking at a
billboard - it is South African music that will confront and comfort you.
"The education and training programmes fulfil an important aspect of South
African Music Week," adds Katz "It is vital for us to take all the knowledge
we have regarding the music industry and pass it on to the next generation
of aspirant musicians, technicians, producers, managers, agents, and other
industry practitioners. This way our relatively fledgling industry will
blossom into a world giant."
"The workshops and seminars throughout the week will have the best local and
international speakers within their field," adds Katz "The idea is to cover
many aspects of South African music from the technical aspects and the
understanding of industry mechanisms to our colourful and varied musical
heritage, genres and styles. Not only will people learn what Kwaito,
Mbhaqanga or Maskandi is, they will also learn what role it plays in our
society, who is making this music - from TKZee to the Soul Brothers and
Phuzekhemisi, and how to get involved in the making of it."
South African Music Week will comprise of Educational workshops, artist
instore appearances, live showcases and performances from August 28 to
September 2. The week officially ends on Saturday September 2 with radio
stations countrywide playing a higher percentage of South African music than
in their normal programming. Before, during and after the week Studio
Recording Project will roll out in studios across the country.
During the week you can expect:
The South African Music Week conference on August 30 addressing critical
issues facing the industry.
A career programme for schools around the country - industry practitioners
will give detailed lectures into what the South African music industry
offers in the way of careers.
Skills Development workshops for music industry practitioners - experts in
diverse fields will work with practitioners to enhance music industry
skills.
Songwriting workshops will be hosted for musicians.
The South African Music Week Studio Recording Project will again give
previously unrecorded musicians the chance to work in professional studios
to lay demo tracks.
Retail activity including instore appearances by artists.
Live showcases.
South African Music Week will expose the public to a higher concentration of
South African music, through all mediums, than ever before. It will show
that not only is South Africa blessed with the riches of a deep and
prosperous musical heritage, but that with the correct encouragement,
training and direction it is a musical heritage that will emerge into a
world-dominating force.
South African Music Week is a joint project of the NAC and the Midi Trust
sponsored by the NAC, Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology,
BASA, ASAMI and MMINO.
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