'n Ondersoek na die funksionele opleiding van begeleiers in Suid-Afrika (Afrikaans)

Abstract

AFRIKAANS: Gebore en getoeë in 'n omgewing waar die besondere uitdagings grondliggend aan die musikale kunsvorm van begeleiding nie erken is nie, maar eerder as 'n vanselfsprekendheid by pianiste gereken is, het 'n toenemende behoefte aan toepaslike leiding en opleiding die teelaarde vir die tersaaklike studie gevorm. Aansluitend hierby is mettertyd bevind dat die klimaat in Suid-Afrika in die reël van sodanige aard was dat begeleiding as onafhanklike en selfstandige beroepskeuse selde waardig genoeg geag is om beroepsgerigte onderwys en gespesialiseerde opleiding in die veld te regverdig. Daarom is die aanvangsondersoek van hierdie studie primêr geloods as 'n kritiese beskouiing van die funksionaliteit van die teenwoordige opset van begeleieropleiding in Suid Afrika. Meer spesifiek behels die genoemde aanvangsondersoek 'n indringende ondersoek na die toelatingsvereistes vir ensemble-gerigte kursusse, soos vervat in die sillabusse van 'n geselekteerde aantal sekondêre en tersiêre instansies landwyd. Voorts is die vak-inhoudelike sowel as moontlike blootstellingsgeleenthede aan ensemble-aktiwiteite onder die loep geneem. Die resultate in hierdie verband was teleurstellend en is die fokus verskuif na die samestelling van 'n vraelys as inligting-insamelingsinstrument. Die oogmerk van genoemde vraelys was hoofsaaklik die inwinning van persoonlike opleidingservaringe van die betrokke proefpersone sowel as 'n toekomsvisie rakende die opleiding van begeleiers-van-môre. Hoewel die opname-respons laag was, het waardevolle inligting die groeiende dringende behoefte aan sinvolle rigtinggewing in die toepaslike veld onderstreep. Die soekende openbare krag van die tweesnydende swaard is vervolgens immer dieper in die wese van die begeleier ingedring. 'n Geriefsteekproef erkende begeleiers is vir onderhoude genader. In die proses is gepoog om enersyds waarlik op hoogte te kom van hul siening met betrekking tot die samestelling van en vereistes vir 'n voornemende beroepsbegeleier tot op hede. Andersyds is gefokus op die persoonlike voorkeure rondom 'n beroepskeuse in die begeleidingsveld en 'n eiesoortige inkyk in hul beroepsbelewenis te kry. Weer eens is groot klem geplaas op hul siening van die opleiding van toekomstige begeleiers. Verblydende terugvoer is deurgaans ontvang. Die opregte ywer en toegewyde entoesiastiese betrokkenheid van die spesialiste in die tersaaklike veld verdien besondere vermelding. So ook hul besef van die reuse taak tot verantwoordelike vorming van gewillige studente in die rypingsproses tot musikaal-sinvolle uitvoerders wie se interpretasie en toepassing van stylbegrip die musiseringsvlak in samespel situasies aanmerklik kan verryk en verfraai. Ten slotte is al die voorafgaande inligting oor die funksionele opleiding van begeleiers tot op hede afgewissel met 'n verfrissende blik op die moontlike prag van ‘n ideaIe werklikheidsituasie. Voortvloeiend hieruit is die Iigpunte in die Suid-Afrikaanse bestel saamgetrek om aanvullend daartoe bepaalde aanpassings voor te stel en vars idees daaraan toe te voeg. Kortliks behels die genoemde voorstellle 'n ontvanklike en eerlike kyk na die verlede, om daaruit te kan leer; 'n kritiese beoordeling van die hede, om daaruit te kan groei, en 'n uitsig op die komende tyd, om daarin die oopblom van geleenthede, die vorming deur ervaringe en die heerlike geur van ware toonkunstenaarskap te mag ontmoet. ENGLISH: In an environment where the particular challenges inherent to the musical art form of accompaniment have never been acknowledged, but rather naturally attributed to pianists, a growing need of well-directed guidance and training has given rise to the study concerned. In the course of the study it gradually came to light that the general climate in South Africa has seldom allowed accompaniment to be viewed as an independent and autonomous career choice worthy of career-orientated, specialized training. Accordingly, this study was initially launched as a critical evaluation of the functionality of the present situation involving the training of accompanists in South Africa. More specifically, the initial investigation concerned an incisive analysis of the entrance requirements pertaining to ensemble-directed courses, as contained in the sillabi of selected secondary and tertiary institutions from all over South Africa. Furthermore, the subject content as well as potential opportunities of exposure to ensemble activities was scrutinized. Since the results revealed a disappointing situation, a questionnaire was compiled in order to gather information. This questionnaire was mainly meant to capture the respondents' personal experiences regarding training, as well as their views on the future training of accompanists. Although the response was low, valuable information came to the fore, emphasizing the growing and urgent need of meaningful direction in the field concerned. The searching blade of the double-edged sword was now driven into the very being of the accompanist. A convenience sample of acknowledged accompanists was interviewed. On the one hand a serious attempt was made to gauge their current views regarding the composition and required characteristics of an accompanist-to-be. On the other hand, the focus fell on their personal preferences regarding a career choice in the field of accompaniment and on the particular way they experienced their careers. Once again, special attention was paid to their vision of the training of future (career-oriented) accompanists. On the whole, the feedback was gladdening. The sincere devotion and enthusiastic involvement of these specialists in the field must be specially mentioned. The same applies to their awareness of the mammoth responsibility resting on their shoulders, namely that of helping willing students mature until they are able to execute works of music in a meaningful way, interpreting and applying their understanding of style in a manner which enhances their musical interaction with others. Finally, the preceding information concerning the current state of the functional training of accompanists is enlivened by an invigorating vision of an ideal situation. The rays of light within the South African context are drawn together in order to facilitate the suggestion of certain adjustments and fresh ideas. In short, these suggestions involve an open-minded and honest view of the past, in order to learn from it; a critical evaluation of the present, in order to facilitate new growth; and a vision of the future, in order to recognize the flowering possibilities, the shaping of experiences and the delicate fragrance of true musicianship.