Budding singers and songwriters, this is your chance to get one up in the industry by applying for a two-week mentorship programme under guidance of two big-league musicians and songwriters: Frazer Barry of Tribal Echo and Zolani Mahola of Freshly Ground.
What? The Jakes Gerwel Foundation (JGF) and Suidoosterfees are hosting a mentorship programme for singers and songwriters creating original songs in Afrikaans, English or isiXhosa. The selected candidates will work on their own songs.
Where? Paulet House, the writers’ house of the Jakes Gerwel Foundation in Somerset East, Eastern Cape. All expenses –travel, accommodation, catering and tuition – are fully covered.
When? 12 – 26 September 2022
How? To be considered for the programme, send at least three of your sample compositions, plus a short letter of motivation and your CV to theo@jgf.org.za by 15 July 2022.
Who? This year the mentor Frazer Barry – multi-instrumentalist, lead singer of Tribal Echo, TV presenter, theatre maker and producer – is joined by Zolani Mahola – singer, actress, storyteller and inspirational speaker – aka The One Who Sings. The mentors will guide the selected candidates to develop and fine-tune their new, fresh, leading-edge lyrics and songs.
Why? The brilliant mentors of this Jakes Gerwel Foundation programme will teach you everything about the finer technicalities of writing a song without ever losing sight of the practical aspects to achieve a polished performance.
Make your mark! After completion of the song writing mentorship, the participants and their mentors will take to the stage in a showstopper musical performance at the 2023 Suidoosterfees in Cape Town.
Comments from the class of 2021 songwriters:
Monique Basson: ‘Not only did I learn about the technical aspects of songwriting, but also a lot about the industry itself. The two weeks of mentorship will always stay with me.’
Bryson Appels: ‘It is the best thing that could happen with any emerging artist and, if I could, I would do it over and over again. Your pockets will be bulging with everything you learnt there.’
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