Tuition- Schools Program
There are currently over 600 learners being trained by amaAmbush at various schools around the Cape, including Herschel Girls' School, Rustenburg Girls' High School, Wynberg Girls' High School, St Cyprian's School, Bishops, Pinelands High School, St Joseph's Marist College, Camps Bay High School, Forres School and the French School. There is great demand for marimbas at schools and the number of school bands increases each year.
Generally, each school has a Senior and a Junior band, and there is always stiff competition among the learners to be selected. Band members are chosen based on natural playing ability and energy. The program is unique in that no previous music instruction is required.
The teaching style combines Western techniques with the traditional methods that focus more on energy and learning 'by ear'. The amaAmbush teaching staff comprises young adults that started off in school bands themselves, and are thus able to relate to the learners. This creates a wonderful dynamic in the lessons.
The marimba bands provide vibrant performances at school functions and are often invited to perform for corporate and private functions outside school. The Bishops marimba band toured to Argentina in 2005 and to Johannesburg in 2007 where they won their section at the Gauteng Marimba Festival. The St Cyprian's marimba band toured to Germany in 2006 and to Italy in 2008. The Camps Bay High marimba band have recently returned from a successful tour to England.
Learners from the various schools have commented that they play marimbas because of the energy in African music, for recognition, for social reasons and a sense of identity, but most of all, because it's fun!
There are currently over 600 learners being trained by amaAmbush at various schools around the Cape, including Herschel Girls' School, Rustenburg Girls' High School, Wynberg Girls' High School, St Cyprian's School, Bishops, Pinelands High School, St Joseph's Marist College, Camps Bay High School, Forres School and the French School. There is great demand for marimbas at schools and the number of school bands increases each year.
Generally, each school has a Senior and a Junior band, and there is always stiff competition among the learners to be selected. Band members are chosen based on natural playing ability and energy. The program is unique in that no previous music instruction is required.
The teaching style combines Western techniques with the traditional methods that focus more on energy and learning 'by ear'. The amaAmbush teaching staff comprises young adults that started off in school bands themselves, and are thus able to relate to the learners. This creates a wonderful dynamic in the lessons.
The marimba bands provide vibrant performances at school functions and are often invited to perform for corporate and private functions outside school. The Bishops marimba band toured to Argentina in 2005 and to Johannesburg in 2007 where they won their section at the Gauteng Marimba Festival. The St Cyprian's marimba band toured to Germany in 2006 and to Italy in 2008. The Camps Bay High marimba band have recently returned from a successful tour to England.
Learners from the various schools have commented that they play marimbas because of the energy in African music, for recognition, for social reasons and a sense of identity, but most of all, because it's fun!
