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You won\u2019t find many women who play the French horn, she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI started playing music at the age of six. We have been playing the French horn for 25 years and joined this project last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt feels good because you are doing something that touches people\u2019s hearts. Every Sunday, we give our time, as volunteers, to practise or teach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that more instruments were needed as they were not enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVolunteers are taking time out of their Saturdays and Sundays to teach and uplift the community by keeping these kids off the street where drugs and gangsterism are rife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is so much talent and we are trying to give the kids something to look forward to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members of the orchestra hail from all over Cape Town including, Simon\u2019s Town, Grassy Park, Athlone, Ottery, Wynberg and Claremont.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are always looking for more people to join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christopher Siljeur, the conductor of the orchestra, said the initial project was launched in 2015. It focussed on art, dance, music and visual arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe started with music because it is something we know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe aim was to eventually have a 200-piece youth orchestra, but then covid happened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Covid-19 pandemic may have delayed the process but it did not deter the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe arts are very much alive, especially in Grassy Park, Lotus River and Fairways. We are based at Hyde Park primary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He adds that there is no age limit when it comes to learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe age of learners is from three years and up and the ages of the orchestra members range from 13 to the oldest 72.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think there is an age limit to someone who wants to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explains that the Masikhule Community Orchestra, which consists of 52 members, was launched last year for learners to have something to aspire towards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe work on an \u2018each one teach one system\u2019 and we are here to make an impact in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a few things planned this year, such as hosting a concert to honour prison wardens and then later a Christmas concert.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2ef06446ad774b80a7b6462efa5d8161.jpg\" "\\"The")
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While there are fees involved to learn how to play an instrument, no person would ever be turned away, says Siljeur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCurrently there is a cost involved because people in our areas can\u2019t afford it. But we have to maintain the instruments that we rent out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe won\u2019t turn anyone away, we are a registered NPO and we are open to any kind of funding or donations. We will make a plan for anyone willing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The love of music is something Siljeur learned from his grandfather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been involved with music since the age of six. I was taught by my grandpa. I later majored in trumpet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI teach all brass and some woodwind and I am so inspired and thrilled by the learners who want to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They use the Trinity and Royal School syllabus to teach learners, who also write exams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe try our best to get them to read and write music and to be fully fledged musicians when they leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contact Hyde Park Primary School or Christopher Siljeur on 072 062 4810 for more information on the programme and to donate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n