New focus for South African Music Week

The annual seven days on the musical calendar, now in its third year, will see learners nationally exposed to a 30-minute video on careers in the music industry; and all nine provinces explode with new emerging artist concerts taking place under the Music In Public Places (MIPP) banner and other live music events.

South African Music Week takes place from Saturday 23 August to Saturday 30 August 2003.

According to Rosie Katz, General Manager of the Music Industry Development Initiative (MIDI Trust), "The dual focus will ensure that more people are exposed to South African music and the opportunities it presents, more so than any Music Week in the past. The video approach focuses our target market and the range of where we can go is now almost limitless. We feel confident that we are starting to reach all nine provinces effectively."

South African Music Week retains its primary partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture, whilst forging a new strategic partnership with the Department of Education. New relationships have also been formed with the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and MTN Free 2 Speak. The South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) continues to support this project having been a sponsor since its inception.

Ek sê mamela..Ufunde!

In a bid to promote greater understanding of careers in the Music Industry, the MIDI Trust has produced a 30-minute video which will be distributed free to 1200 schools nationally during South African Music Week. Featuring Zola, Hugh Masekela and other renowned South African musicians and practitioners, the video highlights some of the careers in the music industry: from lighting engineer to artist management; and informs learners of the specific requirements needed to embark on each career.

Supporting the video is a 16-page brochure elaborating and expanding on the material highlighted in the video, which will also be distributed free to schools nationally.

Added Katz: " Our research has shown that learners are interested in the music industry but they do not know the breadth of potential careers nor how to go about entering the industry. We hope that this video and brochure will enlighten and encourage learners to enter this exciting, yet demanding world."

Music In Public Places/Live Events

Music in Public Places (MIPP), now in its second year, will roll out nationally taking music to audiences across the country for a week of free concerts in public places and spaces. In addition there are a number of other live events taking place under the Music Week umbrella.

MIPP creates a platform for undiscovered and emerging talent as well as this year being extended further to also give emerging promoters and technicians the opportunity to gain practical experience running live events. This campaign will incorporate many genres of South African music and will take place over all nine provinces throughout the week. Full performance schedules will be available through the media during the week.

At the end of South African Music Week it is anticipated that more than 1 million learners will have been exposed to the informational video, more than 120 emerging performances will have taken place nationally with close to 1000 new artists being exposed to 75 000 people during the eight day music week.

Ek Sê.. Mamela!