A music school in the northern areas determined to prove that talent can outweigh trouble in the gang-ridden area has opted to showcase its musical prowess in London in 2020.
Pandora’s Musical Box was established in 2010 by Verrick Erasmus, who has various diplomas in music and continues to welcome all people of all ages to his Gelvandale home where he conducts daily classes.
Erasmus said he had started the nonprofit organisation because he believed the area had so much more to give.
“We live in an area which people believe is poverty-ridden, but I say you are as poor as you feel,” Erasmus said.
“I started off very small with just two students and to my surprise it has grown immensely.
“I now sit with 84 piano students, 36 guitarists, four violinists and 12 drummers.”
The nonprofit will be taking 18 students and eight mentors, including some parents, and will jet off on its 14-day tour on September 2 2020.
The total expense is about R2m, with each child required to raise about R38,000 – which covers their flights, accommodation, food and transport.
“I was in discussion with the parents one day where we decided the children need to go to a place where classical music is very much alive,” Erasmus said.
“We decided we are going to do this, we will work hard and we have already collected half of the needed funds for the trip.
“We are going to arrange that the students visit music schools and go to classical concerts and theatres,” he said.
“They will also be going to Paris for two days during the trip, and they will also have a recital or two.”
He said the group would also be writing a musical exam with the Royal Schools of Church Music at one of its facilities.
Erasmus said the school had not only developed in size but also in its contribution to the community.
“We get a lot of support from the community.
“I no longer work alone and some of the tutors started eight years ago.
“I just want to assist and give back to the community; [so] we don’t charge the normal music rates. It’s more of a lifestyle for us to teach music,” Erasmus said.
“Our students range from four years to 67. It’s really fun to have the older group coming in on a Monday morning for their lessons – although it’s more tea and laughter than playing.
“Our children come from different backgrounds and I enjoy having all those cultures here.
“Children don’t see colour, they see a human being and a fellow musician and they love to be in this space.”
Erasmus said it had been the students’ idea to name the school Pandora’s Musical Box as the last item Pandora released – in the Greek tale – to the world was hope.
“We notice sometimes when children are frustrated all they want to do is play their instruments. It gives them hope.”
Shaylin Prinsloo, 12, said he had decided to join Pandora’s Musical Box because his brother, who is his only friend, played an instrument.
“I started this year and I decided to play the piano because my brother played the guitar.
“I don’t have friends – my siblings are my friends and I share everything with them,” he said.
Shaylin said it would not be his first time travelling outside SA, but he was extremely excited to be going on the field trip with his musical peers.