The Herald (Harare)
A FUND-RAISING concert, dubbed "Romantic Winter Soirée of Classical Music" and organised by Eyes for Africa, will be held today in Borrowdale at Dr Solomon Guramatunhu's residence.

Eyes for Africa is an initiative that provides free treatment to cataract-affected people in the rural areas and the concert, which is being sponsored by Dairibord Zimbabwe Limited and Cairns Holdings, is for raising money for transporting the doctors.

An American group, Music for People, which is into classical music, will perform. The group has three classical music students -- cellist Ryn Murphy, flutist Sarah Frisof and Dawn Smith, who plays the violin - from the Julliard School of Music in Manhattan, New York.

"All the proceeds go towards the Eyes for Africa for its Restore Africa's Vision programme that offers free cataract surgery to blind rural people.

"We are also grateful to our sponsors Dairibord and Cairns who have always made our fund-raising a success and they will make guests taste their variety of products, which include cheese and biscuits," Dr Guramatunhu said.

William Harvey, who is the director of Music for People, and Eyes for Africa chairman Dr Guramatunhu launched the fund-raising exercise last year.

Yesterday the group donated an assortment of musical instruments to schoolchildren in Marondera.

The group is currently holding a classical music composition workshop for pupils from Marondera Urban at Godfrey Huggins Primary School.

The Americans donated five beginners' xylophone recorders, classical wind instruments and five percussion shakers, valued at more than US$500.

They also pledged a computer gift for the organisers of the show, Onias Horiwa and Ronald Badza of the Marondera Arts and Culture Club.

Guest of honour at the function, Marondera Executive Mayor Alderman Ralph Chimanikire said he had observed that the workshop was vibrant and full of potential.

"Some of these children are less privileged but can be the next Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, R Kelly or even Celine Dion. Even though they know that they don't have facilities and resources, their love for music would compels them to fulfil their dreams," he said.

Alderman Chimanikire said music had become a major employer and source of sustainable livelihood, with many school leavers being going into the industry.

Music for the People has been rehearsing with the Marondera-based Rovambira Group fusing the mbira (thumb piano) and with the cello, violin and flute to create a distinct rhythm.

Horiwa confirmed that a live video compact disc would be recorded before the American trio departs next week.