Twenty Students Graduate From Safaricom Youth Orchestra

Nairobi – 21st March 2016…Twenty members of the Safaricom Youth Orchestra yesterday graduated from the music programme which aims to enable children from a variety of backgrounds to collaboratively play in an orchestra.

The teens – who have been part of the Orchestra since its launch in April 2014 and have now attained the maximum membership age (18 years) – graduated to pave way for other musically gifted Kenyan youth to join the programme, as well as to focus on their academic studies.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Founder of the Orchestra and Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore applauded the graduates for their dedication to the programme, which requires the members of the Orchestra to meet for practice weekly.

“We’ve seen a transformation in the Orchestra over the last two years, with the members exhibiting a passion and sense of discipline that is not common to many pre-teens and teens,” said Mr. Collymore. “It provides a unique opportunity for children to engage with music in ways they might not be able to in the course of their studies.”

The Safaricom Youth Orchestra offers musically gifted young Kenyans from various backgrounds an opportunity to learn and perform classical music, and currently has over 80 members aged 10-18 years.

“The feedback and response has been transformational. We’ve already auditioned 60 new members to fill the slots left open by the graduates, and are in the process of shortlisting those who will join the Orchestra,” said Elizabeth Njoroge, Director of the Art of Music Foundation, who run the programme.

Through the Orchestra, youth are encouraged to excel in a unique music genre and benefit from exposure to different cultures, teaching them the values of respect, tolerance, empathy and hard work.

The Safaricom Youth Orchestra also provides an opportunity for the members to lay the foundation for careers in music, providing a way of out of poverty especially for those who come from very humble backgrounds.

“The Orchestra brings together children from backgrounds as diverse as the slums of Korogocho to top-tier international schools, and aims to provide equal opportunities for classical music training and performance. Using music, we are able to teach them to regard each other as equals regardless of where they come from, and in that way transform their lives,” added Mr. Collymore.

Under the guidance of talented volunteer tutors, the Orchestra members receive individual and sectional lessons, while also participating in full orchestra ensemble work every Saturday for approximately 40 weeks a year. 

The Safaricom Youth Orchestra has performed at various events including Safaricom Groove Awards, Safaricom Annual General Meetings, Safaricom International Jazz Festivals, Safaricom @15 celebration concert and with the Safaricom Choir, drawing enthusiastic applause each time.

Nairobi – 21st March 2016…Twenty members of the Safaricom Youth Orchestra yesterday graduated from the music programme which aims to enable children from a variety of backgrounds to collaboratively play in an orchestra.

The teens – who have been part of the Orchestra since its launch in April 2014 and have now attained the maximum membership age (18 years) – graduated to pave way for other musically gifted Kenyan youth to join the programme, as well as to focus on their academic studies.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Founder of the Orchestra and Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore applauded the graduates for their dedication to the programme, which requires the members of the Orchestra to meet for practice weekly.

“We’ve seen a transformation in the Orchestra over the last two years, with the members exhibiting a passion and sense of discipline that is not common to many pre-teens and teens,” said Mr. Collymore. “It provides a unique opportunity for children to engage with music in ways they might not be able to in the course of their studies.”

The Safaricom Youth Orchestra offers musically gifted young Kenyans from various backgrounds an opportunity to learn and perform classical music, and currently has over 80 members aged 10-18 years.

“The feedback and response has been transformational. We’ve already auditioned 60 new members to fill the slots left open by the graduates, and are in the process of shortlisting those who will join the Orchestra,” said Elizabeth Njoroge, Director of the Art of Music Foundation, who run the programme.

Through the Orchestra, youth are encouraged to excel in a unique music genre and benefit from exposure to different cultures, teaching them the values of respect, tolerance, empathy and hard work.

The Safaricom Youth Orchestra also provides an opportunity for the members to lay the foundation for careers in music, providing a way of out of poverty especially for those who come from very humble backgrounds.

“The Orchestra brings together children from backgrounds as diverse as the slums of Korogocho to top-tier international schools, and aims to provide equal opportunities for classical music training and performance. Using music, we are able to teach them to regard each other as equals regardless of where they come from, and in that way transform their lives,” added Mr. Collymore.

Under the guidance of talented volunteer tutors, the Orchestra members receive individual and sectional lessons, while also participating in full orchestra ensemble work every Saturday for approximately 40 weeks a year. 

The Safaricom Youth Orchestra has performed at various events including Safaricom Groove Awards, Safaricom Annual General Meetings, Safaricom International Jazz Festivals, Safaricom @15 celebration concert and with the Safaricom Choir, drawing enthusiastic applause each time.