Wine is about the stories behind the grapes, the land and the people, making it an effective vehicle with which to champion a cause, as is done increasingly in the wine industry. There are wines supporting a variety of causes, from people to wildlife.
Cecilia Wines's cause is to provide music exposure to individuals who do not have the opportunity to experience the benefits of music. Since their inception, they have supported a number of small projects. However, they recently established their own non-profit company, Cecilia Foundation.
Cecilia Foundation, named after the patron of musicians, St Cecilia, aims to support and uplift marginalised individuals by means of music therapy.
In the first place, general music classes, provided to foundation phase learners at local schools, are aimed at contributing to their cognitive, physical, emotional and social development. Choirs are established, inspiring discipline and team work, as well as providing more options for constructive after school activities and instilling a love for music.
Secondly, Cecilia Foundation strives to identify and nurture musical ability in individuals who might not otherwise have the means or opportunity to develop such skills. In order to achieve this, they focus on establishing recorder groups at after-care facilities, allowing children the opportunity to practice regularly and in a safe environment. Apart from introducing children to the basics of music theory and practice, it is also an excellent way of developing fine motor skills.
Annual concerts, in collaboration with the Music Education Department of Stellenbosch University, serves as a community building exercise where children can share their music talents with each other and their parents. An Eisteddfod is held in tandem with the concerts, allowing individuals and choirs the opportunity to test their abilities and receive constructive feedback to help them hone their skills.
The third focus of Cecilia Foundation is the therapeutic use of music in the lives of individuals on the alcohol spectrum, as well as a means to connect with people in order to facilitate healing.
Main music therapy activities
Heartbeats support group
In collaboration with local clinics, groups of expecting mothers are invited to music sessions in which a qualified music therapist helps them to create and sing lullabies to their unborn babies, forging a strong bond from the beginning of the mother-child relationship. These sessions also serve as an opportunity for them to express their fears and questions about motherhood, as well as voice the challenges they are experiencing.
Sirkeldans
A creative, music-based program for teenage girls to encourage self-awareness, connection, communication, and personal growth.
Bunny Girls and Drum-it-out support groups
Psycho-social support groups initiated in cooperation with social workers for different groups of teenage girls.
Sterretjies
Weekly music therapy group session are held for a group of children with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. This gives them the opportunity to further their social skills, experience fun and stimulation in music, and express themselves through music.
Doing amazing things together
Cecilia Foundation is currently funded and supported by the following businesses and organisations:
- Sales income from Cecilia and Wind Band wines
- Vinfinity Sustainability Fund, initiated by Swedish wine importer Vingruppen
- Stellenbosch University Music Education Department
- Bergendal Farm
- Heidedal Farm
- Pebbles Project
- Private individuals
How can you support us?
- Purchasing Cecilia and Wind Band wines
- Making a financial contribution
- Donating a musical instrument
- Giving some of your time to participate in a holiday music program
- Providing or sponsoring individual online music lessons
For more information or to get involved, contact Cerina on +27 82 334 9422 or cerina@ceciliawines.co.za.