Ghetto Classics is the flagship programme of the Art of Music Foundation. It is a community programme that involves over 500 children in Korogocho - one of Kenya's biggest slums.
The program uses music education to provide the youth with opportunities to better themselves and their community. They do this by instilling in them the life skills that come with the discipline of studying music. Their programme also provides them with income-generating opportunities.
The main objectives of the program are:
- To support St John's primary school in Korogocho and the Korogocho community as a whole with music knowledge and skills.
- To create oneness and harmony between students, school systems/administration and the community by using music as a merging tool for larger social transformation.
- To engage young people in sustainable projects and promote a fair and just society, where they are equitably engaged in social-economic development programs.
- To bring people from all races, communities together to form a formidable foundation with the aim of making music a part of culture in the Korogocho community and the other underprivileged areas in which we operate.
- To expand the program through the Orchestra for Schools Initiative teaching the Carnegie Hall Link Up curriculum across Kenya.
- To replicate the Ghetto Classics model across different underprivileged communities across Kenya
Some of the most notable moments include; Stephen Kamau and Teddy Otieno were invited to the International Music Session in the Hamptons (USA). The 2 week musical and performance training course was an 'out of this world' experience for both of them and as a result of their outstanding performances they were invited back again in 2017.
One of the GC alumni Brian Kepher had a terrific year. After taking up conducting, he applied to participate in the Gustav Mahler 5th International Conducting Competition and was invited to audition at the Conservatoire of Lausanne (Switzerland). He was also selected to participate in the first ever African University Leader Exchange Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Through the Orchestra for Schools Initiative programme, Ghetto Classics has managed to expand its operation to other schools within the slum communities and further afield. The program has begun teaching the recorder to 800 new students, from 9 different primary schools in Nairobi, 1 in Kiambu and 4 in Mombasa, using the Carnegie Hall methodology and technical assistance with the end goal of having a concert featuring all the students with the National Youth Orchestra of Kenya.
If you'd like to sign up a deserving underprivileged child to this programme or donate to Ghetto classics, email info@artofmusic.co.ke or call +254 723216197
