GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Ilse Burger moved to Graaff-Reinet in November last year, and has already firmly established a place in the musical life of the town through her work with the choirs at Volkskool and private lessons.
She has deep roots in the town, as her father Theo Burger grew up in Graaff-Reinet, matriculating at Union High School in 1943.
Ilse’s grandfather Bart Burger, who lived at 58 Cradock Street, was a builder and engineer in the early 1900s. He built the first road to the Valley of Desolation and was involved in the building of most of the national roads and mountain passes around Graaff-Reinet. He built the new NGK Church Hall as well as Urquart park, and did restoration work on the Grootkerk and Reinet House.
When she visited the town again in 2014 and 2015, after an absence of many years, she was reminded of her childhood visits in Cradock Street, and after the death of her parents last year she decided to move to Graaff-Reinet. She took up an appointment at Volkskool, where she is currently working with the high school choir.
It was a traumatic move from Stellenbosch and during the first quarter, her yard was broken into five times, with an attempt to get into the house. She was also robbed in Caledon Street outside a grocery store by a young man who took her wallet. Unfortunately her first impressions of Graaff Reinet were not positive!
In January this year Ilse started giving private music lessons in the town, and has been amazed at the interest and enthusiasm shown. “I have had a music school for many years, but never on such a large scale as here -I currently have almost no more room!” she said with delight. “I am flooded with enquiries and I'm excited about all the talent!”
Ilse has a BMus degree from the University of Stellenbosch with majors in piano, choral conducting, school music, and history of music. She offers tuition in piano, keyboard, guitar, recorder, singing, music theory, music appreciation, as well as preparation of poetry and prose for eisteddfodau or concerts. All lessons are in Afrikaans or English, and all ages are welcome. Home school pupils take lessons in the mornings to be able to fit everyone in.
Her main aim is to teach her pupils to “make music and enjoy it”, making the lessons a place of relaxation where the students can express themselves. She tries to teach them to make music from the heart, and does not recommend competitions and music exams for children, feeling that too often this stress kills the enjoyment and love for music. "Music makes the mind grow" is her favourite quote.
She wants to uplift and bless children and teach them to share their music with others. Ilse would also love to give these children opportunities to perform, and teach them to give to others through music.
She would also like to start an outreach to children who cannot afford lessons. This is still in the planning stage and would obviously funding and donations. Any help in this regard would be greatly appreciated. Ilse Burger can be contacted on 0723856613.
'We bring you the latest Graaff-Reinet, Karoo news'
