Challenges Faced by the Soweto Theatre Music Tuition Programme 2013–2016: A Case Study of a Youth Music Development Programme

Abstract

Since 1994, the Pro Musica Theatre has run community music youth development projects which provide tuition in several wind and string instruments to previously disadvantaged youth from Soweto. Due to financial challenges experienced in 2009 caused by reduced funding, the Pro Musica Theatre decided to operate mainly as a receiving house of productions from outside. As a result of this situation, its music tuition project for youth from disadvantaged communities was discontinued. Soweto Theatre started to operate in 2012. The initially discontinued Music Tuition Project of the then Pro Musica Theatre was resuscitated and adopted by the Soweto Theatre under the new name of the Soweto Theatre Music Tuition Programme (and viewed as community engagement and audience development programme/strategy). However, it continued with the same old cohort of learners from the Pro Musica Theatre. One of the possible reasons for its adoption and resuscitation might be that most of its participants were from Soweto. This article explores how the Soweto Theatre Music Tuition Programme’s management style, administration processes, strategic development plan and funding strategy have affected the development of the programme between 2013 and 2016.