Western Cape Youth Music Festival

Soloists

This annual event offers accomplished musicians the opportunity of playing with a symphony orchestra on a professional concert stage. Musicians auditioned in order to be selected to perform at the event.

The soloists in programme order are: Bronwyn van Wieringen (21) on Piano, Amber De Decker (16) Violin, Cameron Williams (19) Saxophone, Ongama Mhlontlo (20) a Tenor, LeOui Rendsburg (22) Soprano, Kevin (Gyu-Min) Kim (21) Piano, Lisa Britz (16) Harp, Féroll-Jon Davids (19) Clarinet, Ntando Ngcume (22) Baritone, Abongile Fumba (26) Mezzo Soprano, Nombulelo Yende (25) Soprano and Ah-Young Moon (13) on Piano.

Brandon Phillips, resident conductor and principal bassoon of the CPO will conduct a varied programme with works by Mozart, Saint-Saëns, Handel, Gounod, Krommer, Rossini, Verdi, Rachmaninoff, Khachaturian and South African composers, Hendrik Hofmeyr and Allan Stephenson. Concert master is Patrick Goodwin.

The selection process

As the festival is a celebration and not a competition, the appeal of the works presented, as well as good variety in the overall programme content, played an important part in the final selection of these soloists. Much of the biggest repertoire and most exciting to listen to and perform is in the concerto field (instrument with orchestra) and opera field (voice and orchestra).

The adjudicating panel were Alastair Cockburn (Artistic Co-ordinator), Daniel Neal (Librarian and adhoc Cellist for the CPO), Aviva Pelham (well-known opera star and director) and Phillip Swales (former Music Subject Advisor of the Western Cape Education Department).

Marlene le Roux, CEO of Artscape says; ‘Each year the amount of musicians auditioning increases, which is indicative of the growing interest youth have in classical music. This year there were 21 candidates from Stellenbosch and 33 from Cape Town. They represent the remarkable talent of many up and coming musicians in the Western Cape. A dream is realised as they perform on stage accompanied by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. We acknowledge the teachers and music institutions that nurture and support these young musicians, raising the standards of excellence each year.’

Booking details

Tickets cost R80. Pensioners and students R40 with valid ID, Scholars 5-18 R40. Block bookings of 10 or more less 10%. Book through Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695, Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers outlets, via Computicket or call 0861 915 8000.

For more information contact Thandi Mlungwana on 021 410 9209 or Debbie Damons on 021 410 9915.