The format of the competition is that candidates, aged 13 and younger, will compete in four categories - Piano, Strings, Woodwind & Brass, and Other Instruments (percussion, recorder, classical guitar and harp), with an additional category for developmental groups.
Lovers of classical music are invited to attend the opening on 24 September and the first three rounds at their leisure and free of charge. For the fourth round seats have to be booked at 021 939 9105. Last year's gold medallist, the pianist Kensuke Kawajiri, will perform as soloist with the Hugo Lambrechts Symphony Orchestra on the opening night.
The SAMRO Foundation came on board in 2011 to support the SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition. The Foundation decided to support three separate but interlinking flagship projects for young musicians to prove their mettle at primary, secondary and tertiary education level, respectively; the SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition, the Gauteng and Cape Town Big Band festivals, and the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition.
These three progressive platforms for excellence have been specifically selected to ensure that budding musical aptitude is identified early on, and is encouraged to flourish as the young musician matures. They span both the Western Art Music and Jazz/Popular Music genres.
