About Us
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Casterbridge Music Development Academy (CMDA) is a registered Non-Profit Organisation, based in White River, Mpumalanga.
The CMDA’s focus is to locate teenagers with interest and talent in music and the performing arts and to actively develop that talent by providing venues, equipment and the necessary music, drama and vocal teachers. The goal is to create functional groups that are able to entertain their communities and confidently perform in public.
The CMDA has recently converted the Barnyard Theater in White River into a Performing Arts Centre focused on the development of music and performing arts in Mpumalanga. The Performing Arts Centre is equipped with a fully functional stage for music and theatre productions, two band practise studios, five project rooms for practise and one-on-one coaching and a large dance and drama studio. The band practise rooms are equipped with basic recording facilities.
The programme aims to engage 3,000 aspirant musicians by way of an affordable membership to the CMDA with at least 80% of whom will be from previously disadvantaged areas and backgrounds. The programme is available to all members at an annual R20 membership cost will include:
• access to any of the hubs
• access to the Performing Arts Centre, for advanced members and bands
• group training sessions for members under the tutorship of recognised musicians
• offering song-writing and skills development workshops
• providing regular live performances at the Performing Arts Centre or at local venues within their immediate communities
Music specifically has been shown to have many positive educational spin offs. Besides developing fine motor skills, it improves academic results especially mathematics, improves emotional stability, motivates under-achievers, instils self confidence and generally music students outperform their non-musical peers.
The CMDA’s focus is to locate teenagers with interest and talent in music and the performing arts and to actively develop that talent by providing venues, equipment and the necessary music, drama and vocal teachers. The goal is to create functional groups that are able to entertain their communities and confidently perform in public.
The CMDA has recently converted the Barnyard Theater in White River into a Performing Arts Centre focused on the development of music and performing arts in Mpumalanga. The Performing Arts Centre is equipped with a fully functional stage for music and theatre productions, two band practise studios, five project rooms for practise and one-on-one coaching and a large dance and drama studio. The band practise rooms are equipped with basic recording facilities.
The programme aims to engage 3,000 aspirant musicians by way of an affordable membership to the CMDA with at least 80% of whom will be from previously disadvantaged areas and backgrounds. The programme is available to all members at an annual R20 membership cost will include:
• access to any of the hubs
• access to the Performing Arts Centre, for advanced members and bands
• group training sessions for members under the tutorship of recognised musicians
• offering song-writing and skills development workshops
• providing regular live performances at the Performing Arts Centre or at local venues within their immediate communities
Music specifically has been shown to have many positive educational spin offs. Besides developing fine motor skills, it improves academic results especially mathematics, improves emotional stability, motivates under-achievers, instils self confidence and generally music students outperform their non-musical peers.
Pictures & Links
Our Imagine Donor Concert held at the Performing Arts Centre, Casterbridge in White River was a huge success.
Over 100 guests attended and included representatives from Provincial Government who made this program possible, National Arts, managers of CSI budgets both large and small, corporates and many representatives from local business.
The concert showcased three groups from the program; one recently formed 'Hillsview' group performing for the first time and our two headline bands, Emazweni and Jive Chronicles.
One of the evening's highlights was a challenge grant of $50k made by Dave Matthews of the DMB that required matching. The great news is that this has been matched by the group of local businesses. A very special thanks to Dave Matthews and all those 'locals' who clubbed together to match this grant, especially Seasons in Africa for their generous contribution.
The program aims to raise R5million this year to increase the number of rural hubs to seven in 2012, to purchase the PAC and a library of African music and percussion instruments and to develop genuinely positive experiences between all South Africans living in the footprint of the program.
Thank you to all the sponsors who made the concert possible, especially Coca Cola for their significant contribution. If you want more information or would like a DVD of the concert, please contact us on info@mpuma-music.org.za.
Over 100 guests attended and included representatives from Provincial Government who made this program possible, National Arts, managers of CSI budgets both large and small, corporates and many representatives from local business.
The concert showcased three groups from the program; one recently formed 'Hillsview' group performing for the first time and our two headline bands, Emazweni and Jive Chronicles.
One of the evening's highlights was a challenge grant of $50k made by Dave Matthews of the DMB that required matching. The great news is that this has been matched by the group of local businesses. A very special thanks to Dave Matthews and all those 'locals' who clubbed together to match this grant, especially Seasons in Africa for their generous contribution.
The program aims to raise R5million this year to increase the number of rural hubs to seven in 2012, to purchase the PAC and a library of African music and percussion instruments and to develop genuinely positive experiences between all South Africans living in the footprint of the program.
Thank you to all the sponsors who made the concert possible, especially Coca Cola for their significant contribution. If you want more information or would like a DVD of the concert, please contact us on info@mpuma-music.org.za.
Imagine Donor Concert