Bridges for Music is a non-profit organization that gathers key characters from the music industry to support the music industry has a great power.
Have you guys ever heard of Bridges For Music? Well, if you haven’t yet, you’ll want to listen up, because this is something very cool!
About Bridges for Music
Bridges for Music is a non-profit organization that gathers key characters from the music industry to support the development of the genre in developing countries. Bridges for Music aims to provide a positive impact to disadvantaged communities as it raises awareness about local issues through music. Bridges for Music believes that electronic music is a universal language and can truly break down socio-economic boundaries.
Bridges for Music uses performers to deteriorate the gap between the rich and the poor, to reduce discrimination as a whole. Modern day artists can use their following by becoming more opinionated leaders and raising awareness on local issues through globalization.
In the words of Bridges for Music, “We believe the music industry has a great power to “give back” but the result will be exponentially bigger if we all pull together in the same direction. Electronic music has become the fastest growing music genre and the most accessible, now anyone can develop their talent from any random corner in the world.”
Since its beginning, Bridges for Music has built one school in South Africa, held 18 developing workshops with 2000 attendees, granted 32 scholarships in sound engineering, music business, and filming, and has conducted 50 international and national touring opportunities.
We’re zoning in on three different details about Bridges for Music for this episode, so let’s take a deeper look into this organization, the first one being their new scholarship program.
New Scholarship Program at SAE Johannesburg
Last January, Bridges for Music announced that they have just launched a new scholarship program at SAE Johannesburg in Rosebank. SAE Johannesburg has the best facilities and is an in-demand creative media school in South Africa, aiming to provide the most robust educational alternatives for those who are interested in music, film, or animation.
Why don’t you check out Bridges for Music’s website to see how you can apply for the next round of scholarships! http://www.bridgesformusic.org/webapp/NEW-SCHOLARSHIP-PROGRAM-AT-SAE-JOHANNESBURG–projectDetail.html?id=266
Then, let us know which you are interested in most: music, film, or animation?
Short Courses Scholarship Program Cape Town
Bridges for Music has short courses in Cape Town as well!
The Bridges for Music scholarship program is all about providing education since 2014. So, in partnership with The SAE Institute South Africa, which is the world’s largest media institute, Bridges For Music has already granted more than 50 scholarship opportunities in the last five years!
If you are aged 18-30 and reside in South Africa, all you have to do is write a 1000-word essay explaining your interests in music and send it over to Bridges of Music! Some of the short courses they offer includes Pro DJ, Gorilla Video, Electronic Music Production, Live Sound, Music Business & Fundamentals, and Fruity Loops.
Check out this video to learn more! https://www.facebook.com/bridgesformusic/videos/1699798283450980/
Why don’t you take a look at the organization’s website for more detail too, then let us know which of those Bridges for Music short courses seems most interesting to you! http://www.bridgesformusic.org/webapp/SHORT-COURSES-SCHOLARSHIP-PROGRAM–CAPE-TOWN-projectDetail.html?id=210
Bridges Academy
Bridges for Music is currently constructing their very first learning space in Langa, the town of legendary singer Brenda Fassie. This is also the same town where a lot of the organization’s workshops have been happening for the last four years!
What Bridges Academy shoots for is to prevent the lifestyle of gang culture and criminal activity for the young, talented people from poverty-stricken areas. According to Bridges for Music, “For many of them, music has been a driving force to overcome their struggles, but they lack the appropriate resources to assist them in furthering their careers.”
The school itself is designed by TSAI studios in Cape Town and provides a learning space and created hub for the young individuals to pursue their dreams and develop their skills by sharing their passions for music and art. Bridges Academy wants to build a community, not just through their activities, but through lectures as well about music production, graphic design, basic internet usage, and filming. There’s an outdoor area as well for both the school and the surrounding community where workshops and events are to be held. According to Bridges Academy’s staff, “We are hoping that this space will become a nest for all young artists, not only from Langa, but from other areas in Cape Town, becoming a true bridge between communities.”
If you want to know more about Bridges Academy, watch this video! https://www.facebook.com/bridgesformusic/videos/1119694141461400/
With that, Bridges Academy is actually still looking for equipment to be donated for their school, so look at their website now to see how you can take part! http://www.bridgesformusic.org/webapp/BRIDGES-ACADEMY-LANGA-SOUTH-AFRICA-projectDetail.html?id=145
Then, let us know what the first thing you’d donate to the school is!
Ambassadors
And, if we didn’t convince you enough why Bridges for Music is really an organization to look up to, maybe some of your favorite artists who are also ambassadors for the advocacy can!
Fosta, who is a respected artist and producer from Langa, and who is one of the Bridges for Music leaders shares, “I have experienced myself how music can change your life while growing up in a community like Langa,” while Richie Hawtin states, “I lived with Bridges for Music one of the proudest moments in my career. I believe artists can play a crucial role in raising awareness of social issues and we have a responsibility to give something back. This is way I was inspired to be part of the Bridges for Music project from the minute it was presented to me.” Skrillex talks about Bridges for Music as well, saying, “Doing the workshop in the township of Langa, showed us the power of music to bring people from different communities together. In South Africa I got to experience the power of music to break down the social and economic boundariesthat are harboured there. Doing the workshop in the township of Langa, showed us the power of music to bring people from different communities together,” while Luciano believes, “that [he] is traveling around the world and [he has] the responsibility to give back.” Black Coffee, being one of the most iconic artists in South Africa, feels an obligation to be an example for the youth, expressing, “I believe music can make a big difference in the lives of the younger generations coming out of disadvantaged areas. Music took me out of such circumstances and showed me the world and I’m proud to be part of the Bridges For Music project.”
Why don’t you check out what more these Bridges For Music ambassadors want to say through this video! https://www.facebook.com/bridgesformusic/videos/1339825822781563
And hey, I think it would also be fun if you let us know, which of the organization’s representatives is your favorite artist?
We actually have one more video we think you’d enjoy from Bridges of Music, so take a peek at this now! https://www.facebook.com/bridgesformusic/videos/816790138418470/
We loved talking with you about Bridges of Music, because we really believe this is an organization with the best intentions! Why don’t you share with us what you think of this movement of using music to break socio-economic boundaries! We’ll be waiting for what you have to say on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
