By Rinelda Mouton
Youth Orchestras of Namibia (YONA) is more than a music school – it is a place where children from diverse backgrounds come together to learn orchestra instruments such as violin, cello, clarinet, trumpet, piano and recorder.
This year, YONA celebrates 10 years of existence.
As part of YONA’s anniversary celebration, various concerts are being held.
The last concert will take place at DR Church in Windhoek on 12 September from 19h00.
YONA came into existence because of the dream of an opera singer and her husband.
Raising children in Windhoek, they realised that there was a shortage of music teachers, despite the great interest among Namibians in learning music.
The vast musical talent went undeveloped.
Today’s lessons are held at various locations in Windhoek – Windhoek West, Katutura and at Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS). She said using music and the orchestra as a tool helps to foster social transformation, create unity within diversity, and develop children academically, socially and personally.
“We started with 25 children queueing up for a chance to play on one of five violins. Now we have almost 200 children taking lessons in 12 different instruments. YONA not only gives children from all backgrounds an opportunity to learn an instrument, but also helps them with schoolwork, career guidance and psychosocial support,” founder and director Gretel Coetzee said.
Coetzee said YONA feels like a home for many students.
She said over the years she has noticed that children tend to become more joyful and confident, responsible, reliable, and they generally do better at school.
She said paying for fees remains a challenge.
“Only about 20 percent of our students can afford lesson fees. For the remaining students, we have to find sponsors to cover lesson fees, instruments, transport and food. We are continuously raising funds to keep YONA going,” Coetzee said.
She said the music industry in Namibia remains neglected.
“Most parents don’t realise how important music education is in a child’s general development. There is also very limited arts and music education in schools, and a shortage of qualified music teachers. In many countries, full-time employment is available for orchestral musicians. In this country, the only full-time jobs for musicians are as teachers at a handful of schools and institutions. However, there are some very successful freelance musicians,” she said.
Coetzee said not every person who has learned music as a child should go and study music.
She said for most, it is an important part of their lives which remains a hobby through their adult life.
“Music needs to become a promotional subject. This would create jobs for musicians and also encourage young people to go and study music. The government should introduce basic music education from primary school, so that every child will have the opportunity to learn to read and write music. Investing in education will eventually improve the whole music industry in Namibia,” Coetzee said.
