Another great milestone is reached as Artscape and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CTPO) in collaboration with the Distell Foundation celebrate the 44th annual Youth Music Festival on Saturday 26 September at 19.00 in the Artscape Theatre.
Thirteen young soloists successfully auditioned to perform at this festival which serves as a launching pad for accomplished classical music instrumentalists and singers in playing with a symphony orchestra. They represent many young musicians in the Western Cape who are making great strides in the music world.
In programme order the soloists are : Fan Simon Wu (14) on Piano, Robert de Vries (21) Flute, Caron Tremble (19) Bassoon, S’bongile Mntambo (20) Soprano, Brittany Smith (21) Soprano, Shannon Thebus (19) French Horn, Shaheel Kooverjee (19) Piano,
Ga-Young Moon (10) Piano, Bonolo Kgaile (20) Violin, Athenkosi Hoyi (24) Soprano, Ané Sophia Pretorius (22) Mezzo Soprano, Petra van Besouw (20) Violin and Leo Gevisser (12) on Piano. They are at schools and universities in Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
Comprising of works by composers that include Mozart, Mendelssohn, C P E Bach, Richard Strauss, Rachmaninoff, Alex Rowley, Saint-Saëns, Gounod, Rossini, Pablo Sarasate and Ravel, the varied and exciting programme will be conducted by Brandon Phillips who has recently been appointed the first ever resident conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. He has received international accolades as artistic director and conductor of the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and is a principal bassoonist with the CTPO. Concert master is Patrick Goodwin.
Marlene le Roux, Director of Artscape Audience Development and Education says: “Each year musicians of excellence audition to perform at the festival and we are overwhelmed by their extraordinary talent. Many of the soloists have made it on concert stages of the world and have gone on to further their studies overseas. We acknowledge their teachers and our music institutions for their dedication, inspiration and the very high standard and encouragement given to these young musicians. We are privileged to be associated with them all.’
‘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 dream for many is a reality as they perform at this festival accompanied by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.’
The adjudicating panel are Alastair Cockburn (Co-ordinator), Daniel Neal (Librarian and adhoc Cellist for the CTPO), Aviva Pelham well-known opera star and director, Ronnie Samaai (member of the CTPO Board of Directors) and Phillip Swales
(former Music Subject Advisor, of the Western Cape Education Department).
WHAT: 44th annual Youth Music Festival –Â Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestrac onducted by Brandon Phillips, presented in collaboration with DISTELL FOUNDATION
WHEN:Â Saturday 26 September at 19h00
WHERE: Artscape Theatre, Foreshor, Cape Town 8001
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  or call 0861 915 8000.
This festival is sold out every year so it is suggested you book your tickets now.
INFO: contact Marvin Weavers on 021 410 9209 or Debbie Damons on 021 410 9915.
PHOTO CREDIT:Â Bronwyn Lloyd
