Call for participants: Instrument building & repair training in South Africa

The workshop will culminate in a concert on traditional instruments at the Wits Theatre on 25 November 2016, where some participants will collaborate with some of South Africa’s best traditional instrumentalists.

One of the main objectives of this initiative is to encourage the formalization and professionalization of instrument making and repair in Africa, especially in relation to indigenous instruments.Participants will also have the opportunity to visit and learn from established music instrument making companies in Johannesburg as part of the training. Certificates of participation will be given at the end of the workshop.

The workshop also aims to:

• Foster the rapid monetization and sustainable development of instrument making and repair in Africa.
• Help instrument makers develop their careers.
• Develop awareness of music instrument makers in Africa with a view to promote their works to a wider global audience.
• Facilitate the sharing and transfer of skills in indigenous instruments between countries on the continent.
• Promote constant exchange of ideas, expertise, experiences and know-how among instrument makers in Africa.
• Facilitate the identification of existing gaps in the field with a view to contribute new solutions.
• Facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills in indigenous instruments between new and older generations.

The training will cover two categories of music instruments:

• Conventional Instrument: acoustic guitar making, maintenance and repair
• Traditional Instruments: umakhweyana and marimba making, maintenance and repair

Who can apply

The workshop is open to persons from these countries/regions:

• South Africa (22 trainees will be accepted from all provinces)
• East Africa (1 trainee will be selected)
• West Africa (1 trainee will be selected)
• Central Africa (1 trainee will be selected)

Preference will be given to candidates who already have basic knowledge of instruments, instrument building or repair. Participants will be required to attend all sessions.

How to enter

To be considered send your application to [email protected] before or on 21 October 2016.

Note: your application should include the following:

• Short motivation (why is it important for you to be trained, how will this benefit you and other people?).
• Indicate which instrument you want to learn (between the guitar group or the marimba and umakhweyana group).
• 1-page CV
• Proof of involvement or knowledge of instrument building (formal or informal) will be an advantage. Pictures will be accepted.

Travel expenses

Participants from outside Johannesburg will be offered free accommodation and travel, as well as a per diem.

The full programme, including trainers, venue and performers will be announced in the last week of October. Successful candidates will be informed by 15 October 2016.