![Participants perform for the audience Participants perform for the audience](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/participants_perform_for_the_audience.jpg)
The 17th Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) will be held on 1 and 2 April 2016 at the Cape Town Convention Centre where acclaimed national and international performances will be on show.
On Wednesday night we had a taste of the festival when the annual free concert brought a diverse group of people with a collective love for jazz together on the doorstep of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) Head Office on Greenmarket Square in Cape Town.
The CTIJF and DCAS have a common interest in the training and development of local up-and-coming artists.
DCAS invested in the Ocean View Music Academy, Steelband and Langa Music Projects and they were included in the line-up at the Music and Career Live Performance in the Opera House at Artscape to showcase their new skills.
The successful Langa Music Project has trained 50 learners during the past five years in piano, drumkit, trumpet, voice, trombone, saxophone and piano and contributes towards job creation. The Steelband Project is a combination of steelbands from Langa, Riebeek Kasteel and Heideveld and provides quality music education to marginalised communities. They play an extensive repertoire of popular African, Caribbean and jazz tunes. The Ocean View Music Academy brings various young musicians together and provides training of brass instruments.
As part of the CTIJF development programme these participants were exposed to rehearsals, live performances and event production that were presented by professionals and mentors within the music industry. Basic skills development, theory and practical activities were provided to students in both musical and live production. The students became disciplined in music arrangements, stage etiquette and event operations.
DCAS supports young musicians to develop and showcase their skills. Communities should encourage their young people to take part in these programmes. Let us nurture and grow our young artistic talent BETTER TOGETHER.
Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: tania.colyn@westerncape.gov.za